On National Health and Nutrition Day, experts talk about the importance of adequate nutrition

Careful eating is always present in conversations, and behind this there is a very clear reason: you are what you eat. The choices that each person makes to eat determine the health status of the entire body. That’s why, on March 31st, we celebrate National Health and Nutrition Day, an initiative aimed at raising awareness among the population about the importance of adopting healthy eating habits. In Brazil, according to data from the Ministry of Health (MS), more than half of the population (56.8%) is overweight, with this rate reaching 68.5% in the age group between 45 and 54 years old and 40.3 % among young people aged 18 to 24.

According to the sports nutritionist at Clínica Aesthesis, Rayanne Marques, people who are overweight and obese have a Body Mass Index (BMI) equal to or greater than 25 kg/cm².

“The idea of ​​creating a healthy lifestyle starts with food. Ideally, people should have a diet made up of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, fiber, vitamins and minerals. For this, a varied menu is essential, with all types of food, without abuse. A balanced and healthy dish must contain vegetables (vegetables and legumes) daily, as these foods provide vitamins, fiber, minerals and other bioactive components that bring several benefits to the body”, he explains.

Rayanne reinforces that consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables, combined with foods rich in complex carbohydrates and little processed, also increases resistance to infections and prevents obesity. The nutritionist also emphasizes that nutritional needs change according to each person’s age, lifestyle and metabolism, and that is why it is important to be monitored by professionals who help with what is best for each organism.

The expert listed some Essential Tips for a Healthy Life:

• Balanced diet: Choose natural, whole and colorful foods, avoiding processed products, fried foods and excess sugar and sodium.
• Adequate hydration: Consume 40ml of water for every kg of weight (50kg x 40ml = 2 liters) to keep the body functioning well.
• Avoid alcohol and cigarettes: Reduce or avoid the consumption of these substances to protect the health of your heart, lungs and immune system.
• Regular exercise: Stay active with physical activities you enjoy to improve cardiovascular, muscular and mental health.
• Rest and sleep: Sleep 7 to 8 hours a day to ensure the recovery of your body and mind.
• Check-ups and medical care: Take preventive exams regularly and consult your doctor to take preventative care of your health and identify possible problems early.