Expat Wellbeing – The Importance of eating a balanced diet
August 2019   STAYING HEALTHY ABROAD

Expat Wellbeing – The Importance of eating a balanced diet

Adapting your diet to a new country is an issue that all expats will have to face. Depending on which country you move to, this may be more difficult as you adapt to different food habits and a new cuisine that you may not be used to.
Scroll to read

This is one of the reasons why eating a balanced diet with all the necessary vitamins and nutrients is so important for you. Are you searching for tips on how to eat healthy?

Here are our top 5 tips on how to eat a balanced diet.

Boosting your mood

Studies have shown that eating food that is good for you and having a well-balanced diet can help boost your mood. According to the Lancet medical journal, there is strong evidence to suggest that eating well is crucial for our mind.

The top foods we recommend to eat for this are:

  • Fish
  • Chicken
  • Bananas
  • Leafy green vegetables

Opting for a nutritious breakfast will be a big help and get your day off to the right start.

Improving physical fitness

The importance of eating a balanced diet cannot be overlooked and this is especially the case for those looking to maintain/improve their fitness levels. If you play as part of a sports team or go to the gym regularly, remember to try and always have a meal beforehand to keep your energy levels up whilst exercising.

Remember to also drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise. A combination of regular physical activity and a well-balanced diet is by far the best way to achieve a healthy weight.

Protecting against disease

Healthy eating is crucial for protecting yourself against disease. This is especially helpful to reduce the risk of heart disease. Be sure to regularly check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Examples of potential issues by not eating correctly include:

  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure

Helping you lose weight

It goes without saying that eating a balanced will also help you to lose weight. Remember that getting the right amount of fibre is one element of a balanced diet.

Of course, it is also worth pointing out the importance of eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. But bear in mind this is just the minimum – the more you eat the better. Fruit and vegetables should make up about a third of what you eat a day.

Fruit and vegetables are also great sources of vitamins and fibre. It is a good idea to eat a variety of fruit and vegetables to get the most benefit.

Keeping you healthy

Remember that maintaining a balanced diet will always be key for your general health. Healthy eating can be a huge boost for you. We recommend sticking to light low-fat, low-sugar foods.

These include:

  • Wholegrain toast
  • Breakfast cereals
  • Yogurt
  • Fruit

Continue reading

For more advice on staying healthy abroad, check out our top tips.

International health insurance

Along with having a healthy diet, having comprehensive healthcare coverage for you and your family is one of the most important things you will need to consider when moving abroad.

Check out our plans here.

Related articles
cooking at home

Enjoying cooking during lockdown

For some of us, extra time at home means a chance to try new recipes, hone cooking skills, and cook up a creative storm in the kitchen. For others, cooking in confinement involves throwing together quick, easy, nutritious meals that can feed a family.

man cycling to work

Tips for Getting Your Daily Dose of Physical Activity

Setting aside time to hit the gym every day may seem difficult, but you can still get your daily dose of physical activity by incorporating exercise into your daily routine. Take a look at these simple steps.