Read the text and do the exercise
Healthy eating is important at any age, and the sooner you start having well-balanced meals instead of snacks full of fat and sugar, the better.
The Dos
So, what are the ingredients for a balanced diet? Researchers agree that having 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day is a good idea. Both fruit and vegetables are full of vitamins and fibre. But be cautious: smoothies, juices and dried fruit contain lots of sugar, so moderate your portions.
Carbohydrates are also important. Pay attention to wholegrain and high-fibre alternatives, such as whole-wheat pasta, brown rice or wholegrain toasts. Wholegrain foods are digested more slowly, which helps us feel full for longer.
Don't forget about proteins, such as fish, eggs, meat and beans. Fish contains some useful oils while meat is a good source of proteins and iron.
The Don'ts
Be careful with sugar and salt. To make sure your diet is healthy, you should eat no more than 6g of salt and 30g of sugar per day. Try to moderate saturated fats such as fatty types of meat, cheese and butter. Unsaturated fats may be a better choice. They include vegetable oils, nuts, seeds and fatty fish. Trans fats are ones you'd better exclude from your diet. They are present in many kinds of dough products and fast food.
Eat regular meals several times a day. Try not to skip meals. Avoid unhealthy snacks such as pastry and fizzy drinks. And remember: there's always a healthy and at the same time tasty alternative.
Match the words with the pictures according to the information from the text.
- fibre rich foods
- good source of carbohydrates
- only several grammes per day
- not a really good snack
- do not eat too much
- fats to avoid