Are you what you eat?

A balanced diet is not as complicated as it sounds at first. Food intake in the form of fresh, sometimes acidic or steamed foods are rich in minerals, vitamins and trace elements that the body needs to live and process smoothly.To make efficient utilization of food possible, the human organism needs a variety of substances. However, no one has to do without culinary delights. It often helps to think a little about how the food is put together or cooked and, above all, in what quantities it is eaten.

Alkaline foods are fundamental for a good diet

There is a well-known rule of thumb according to which fruits and vegetables should be eaten five times a day. In the alkaline nutrition concept, foods are divided into different categories that cause a neutral, alkaline or acidic effect in the body. Fruits and vegetables belong to the alkaline foods, such as potatoes or bananas. Acid-forming foods include grains such as spelt or wheat. Coffee, carbonated drinks, meat and some dairy products also fall into the acidic category. Neutral products are seeds such as buckwheat, amaranth or millet, which are also gluten-free.

Gluten is by no means unhealthy for healthy people, and healthy people do not have to do without it. However, the gluten protein is harmful for people with celiac disease (gluten intolerance), as it causes painful stomach and intestinal inflammation. In these cases, a low gluten or gluten-free diet is advisable.

Another rule of thumb says that you should "eat a rainbow every week". So colors play an important role in food intake. The more colorful you eat, the better. Besides the usual apple, pears, tomatoes or broccoli are perfect for a balanced diet. Today, the choice of food is so wide that you can also resort to exotic fruits and vegetables. So every day it is possible to vary between color, taste freshness and origin of the products. Thus, the daily diet becomes not only healthy, but also varied.

Particularly high levels of vitamins are found in peppers, citrus fruits, spinach and broccoli. Garlic, grapefruit, radishes, red onions and garden cress even contain natural antibiotics. Strawberries, apricots, tomatoes, pumpkin and carrots contain carotenoids that protect the skin from UV radiation. Sarponins, which are found in red berries, asparagus and peas, among others, are responsible for binding bile acid and cholesterol. All vegetables and fruits also have flavonoids and polyphenols. These are also present in tea, cocoa, and special cereals and nuts. But they can also be found in raspberries, apples, leaf lettuce or peaches. The useful substances already protect the plants from external influences and therefore also have a positive effect on the human body.

The acid-base balance in the human organism should always be in a healthy equilibrium. With the right choice of food, you can counteract hyperacidity.

The combination of foods should be versatile and deliberately composed. A wholesome diet is achieved by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, good fats and carbohydrates, and plenty of fish and little meat. Sport and a healthy lifestyle are the ideal complement to a healthy diet.