October 18, 2011
Should you have a glass of milk or just fruits for dinner?
No, that may be too little. Eat breakfast like a king, but don't starve for dinner either.
Skipping meals is bad for your health because your body needs the nutritional elements available in food to produce energy throughout the day.
Keep the meal light, but make sure you get carbohydrates, vitamins and fibre. This will aid digestion and keep your weight down. Carbohydrates are necessary to process and break down fat in the body. It’s a myth that one must avoid carbs for dinner, "Carbs should make up 55-60 per cent of your diet, as they are the body's main source of energy. Fruits and vegetables are examples of carbohydrate-rich foods that have great nutritional value, as they are loaded with fibre, plus essential vitamins."
"Incorporate healthy or good carbs by including whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables. These carbs are digested slowly, helping you feel full longer and keeping blood sugar and insulin levels stable."
"A healthy diet consists of the right carbs and proteins. Just a glass of milk or salad may not be enough for a meal as it may not give you the minerals and fibre you require… go on for your regular meal." Eliminate processed foods and anything made with white flour and white sugar. These cause your blood sugar to go up and down, leaving you tired and sapped of energy.
And don't skip meals. Skipping meals during the day and eating one large meal in the evening results in a delayed insulin response, which could lead to diabetes.
As the day progresses, our metabolic rate goes down. It's advisable to have a light and early dinner. Give your body time to digest the food before you go to bed. "Sleeping after dinner can store all your energy, which then turns into fat,"
Two chappatis, one vegetable sabzi, a dal and salad is a good meal to end the day with, to get your fix of important nutrients. The trick is to keep the meal light and non-greasy, but make sure it's nutritive. "Fruits are not a substitute for dinner.
"The right carbs, along with fibre, make digestion faster. Avoid potatoes and rice, and go for pulses, green vegetables and fruits. In meats, go for lean meats and opt for grilled over fried. Avoid red meats as they can make you feel heavy.
Remember not to skip meals…
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