According to the World Health Organization (WHO), what we eat and drink affects our body's ability to fight infections, as well as how likely we develop health problems like obesity, heart disease, diabetes and different types of cancer. The exact ingredients of a healthy diet will undoubtedly depend on different factors like how old and active we are, along with the kinds of foods that are available in the community where we live in. But across cultures, there are some common food tips for helping us lead healthier, longer lives.
- Try choosing lean meat whenever possible or at least trim it of visible fat.
- Prefer steaming or boiling over frying while cooking.
- For snacks, choose raw vegetables, unsalted nuts and fresh fruit, rather than foods that are high in sugars, fats or salt.
- Aim to eat a mix of staple foods such as wheat, maize, rice and potatoes, plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and foods from animal sources (e.g. meat, fish, eggs and milk).
- Choose wholegrain foods like unprocessed maize, millet, oats, wheat and brown rice whenever you can help you feel full for longer for they are rich in valuable fibre.