|
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not only about eating
healthy foods but also engaging in physical activity. A healthy diet alone
is inadequate to ensure a healthy body. According to the World Health
Organization, only one in ten people exercise regularly and a majority do
not follow a healthy diet. This essay will discuss tips for adopting a
healthy lifestyle.
The emphasis on a healthy lifestyle should start at a young age. Parents
must encourage their children to eat more vegetables, fruits, juices,
wholemeal and wholegrain foods. Many parents, due to time constraints,
usually find the easy way out by cooking two-minute noodles or heading
towards the nearest fast food joint for a quick meal. This sets the stage
for an unhealthy lifestyle for their children who quickly become addicted to
such foods. Thus, parents can counter this problem by cooking or preparing
meals that do not take up time such as cheese sandwiches, soup, stir-fried
vegetables, or buy pre-packed meals from supermarkets which can be warmed up
in the microwave oven.
Dining out usually involves eating heavily and unhealthily. Most of us are
prone to ordering deep-fried food and oily dishes as opposed to steamed or
baked food. Thus, though eating out is unavoidable, parents and adults
should order fresh food and foods that are nutritious and not laden with
oil, fat, or sugar. Once a pattern of healthy eating is established, it
would be easier to carry through such a lifestyle.
School canteens must be urged to sell only highly nutritious food and
drinks. Vending machines that sell soft drinks and drinks that are spiked
with sugar should be banned. Hence, school-going children would be exposed
to healthy eating from a young age.
Daily exercise is vital. In fact, schools should implement Physical
education on a daily basis rather than twice weekly. By enforcing regular
exercise daily, students would be exposed to the importance and benefits of
exercise.
Many parents and adults do not allocate time for physical activity. A large
number of them work long hours and return home late, thereby depriving
themselves of the benefits of exercise. Parents must lead an exemplary life
that can benefit their children by increasing awareness of the health
benefits of exercising regularly. Bringing their children for walks in the
morning or evening is a good start to achieve this goal. They should become
members of clubs which have swimming pools and gym facilities. During the
weekend, the family can strengthen their bond by adjourning to clubs for
exercise and a healthy meal after that.
In short, leading a healthy lifestyle is a conscious decision. One can
ignore that and lead a life that exposes one to many health hazards. It is
important to recognize that a healthy living ensures a longer life span as
well as a life free of disease and complications. Therefore, adopting the
tips discussed above can lead to a healthier lifestyle. |
