A dietician’s perspective  

In nutrition, above all else, it’s important to have a balanced diet and try to include a variety of food groups in moderation on a daily basis. There are no “forbidden” foods – everything can be a part of one’s diet. However, there are of course food products that are more nutritious, such as fruits, vegetables and legumes, which should be included in one’s diet more often. On the other side there are foods rich in saturated fat and/or added sugars and processed meat (e.g. slices of ham), that should only be consumed occasionally, and in smaller quantities. It’s crucial to mention that each individual has specific and unique dietary requirements, so it’s often better to seek advice or even get a personalised dietary plan from a registered dietician or nutritionist.  

It is also important to mention that a primarily plant-based diet can have a positive impact both in terms of health and sustainability. Plant-based diets are associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases, such cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Moreover, maintaining a plant-based diet often leads to a reduced environmental footprint, since it contributes to decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and saves many animal lives. TAKINOA also encourages a flexitarian diet, which means greatly reducing one’s consumption of animal products, without becoming a vegetarian.

This is the introduction to 5 weekly articles – each containing 2 tips around healthier eating habits – in TAKINOA's Healthier Eating Habits series. Stay tuned to discover the basic principles of a balanced diet and to learn how you can improve your eating habits.

‍

Original Language: English