How to Differentiate Between Healthy and Unhealthy Foods?

Given a choice, most people would choose to consume food that is palatable to their taste buds. But, the unfortunate fact of reality is taste and health don’t always align and you have to make compromises, sometimes to take care of your cravings and sometimes to take care of your overall well-being.

In the fast-paced world that we live in today, it is very easy to get caught up in the loop of our routine. The rat race to further our careers often forces us to take shortcuts to our food goals. Many of us tend to opt for whatever is readily available or easily accessible and requires the least amount of time and effort to consume.

Instead of checking the nutritional value of our meals, most of us check their taste level or how filling they are. This is where we invariably make major damage to our health. In pursuit of savouring our taste buds and saving time, we put our long-term health in jeopardy.

This is why we are bringing before you this blog wherein we take a closer look into figuring out how to easily differentiate between healthy and unhealthy food. We are also going to dive into the topic of the consumption of processed food and find out about healthy food options in Dubai.

What are Healthy Foods?

Healthy foods refer to food items that have a high nutritional value and offer a beneficial effect on your overall health. These include your everyday organic options of whole food and natural food. They provide you with the essential nutrients required for your healthy body, including growth, immunity, energy, and disease prevention.

Fruits and vegetables are prime examples of healthy foods since they are rich in vitamins, minerals, fibres, and antioxidants. They satiate you and contribute to making you feel full while also protecting against chronic diseases. It is widely recommended to include a variety of colours of fruits and veggies in your daily diet.

Whole grains such as whole wheat bread, brown rice, and oats offer pivotal fibre and energy to your body, helping you cope with daily tasks and challenges while also boosting your digestive and gut health. Lean proteins such as lentils, nuts, and beans help in repairing tissues and building and strengthening muscles.

Fats get a bad rep but what many people do not realise is that there are healthy fats in nature that can do amazing benefit to your body. They help in managing cholesterol levels and minimising the risk of heart diseases while also reducing the buildup of plaque in arteries. Avocadoes, walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and olive oil are prime examples of such healthy fats.

Additionally, dairy products such as milk, butter, Ghee, Paneer, etc. provide you with essential calcium, protein, potassium, and vitamin D, helping strengthen your bones and teeth and improving your cardiovascular health.

Last but certainly not least, you need to ingest an adequate amount of water daily since it helps you stay hydrated and aids in your digestion. It assists your body in eliminating toxins and regulating proper temperature.

What are Unhealthy Foods?

Continued and unmonitored consumption of unhealthy foods can have a severe impact on your health. This includes nutrition deficiencies, uncontrollable weight gain, and an increase in the risk of contracting chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, and certain types of cancers. Not to mention, they also have a negative impact on your skin health, hair health, eye health, digestive health, and overall mental health.

Unhealthy foods contain a huge amount of saturated or trans fats, sodium, added sugars, and calories, none of which are measured. As such, they can dramatically impact your health both in the short term and long term.

Common examples of unhealthy foods that you should avoid or least limit include fast foods, fried foods, sugary drinks, ready-to-eat food, and processed food, among others.

How to Differentiate Between Healthy and Unhealthy Foods?

Now that you have a clear idea of healthy and unhealthy food items, let us help you find ways to differentiate between the two. There are three simple factors to judge the difference between them. They are as follows.

Taste

The majority of unhealthy foods have high levels of sugar and fat that help enhance flavours and provide a pleasurable eating experience. They stimulate your brain to release dopamine, a feel-good hormone temporarily. Healthy foods can also taste great and have a natural flavour to them. It is just that you need to accustom your body to it.

Energy

Healthy foods provide you with energy that helps you sustain and face the challenges for the entire day without making you feel exhausted. Unhealthy foods can give you a sugar rush or energy spike temporarily before crashing down.

Nutritional Value

While healthy foods are rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, unsaturated fats, and fibres, the labels on unhealthy foods such as processed foods contain sugar, calories, and saturated or trans fats.

Should You Avoid Highly Processed Foods?

It is always a great idea to minimise the intake of processed foods. If you can’t eliminate them completely from your life due to busy schedules or the convenience they offer, at least try to limit them. They lack essential nutrients and are packed with strong preservatives, such as sulphites, sorbic acid, and sodium benzoate.

These preservatives extend the shelf life of the food but can pose a major threat to your health in the long run, including damage to your gut health, digestive health, and immunity. Try and incorporate as many whole foods and lean proteins in your diet as possible.

Healthy Food Options in Dubai

At MyGovindas, we believe in not only offering global delicacies for a fine dining experience but also healthy foods to ensure our patrons don’t have to compromise on the nutritional content while relishing their favourite dishes. Our expert chefs minutely curate recipes that serve both the health and taste buds.

For instance, we serve gluten-free food along with oil-free food if anyone has a specific dietary requirement. You can also try out our home-cooked food delivery services if you want a touch of simplicity and nostalgia while ordering food online.

Giving up all unhealthy foods and opting for a Sattvik diet can bring you immense positive results including enhanced immunity, improved digestion, and a calmer, more balanced mind. Our pure veg restaurants in Dubai spread over Karama, Arjan, Jumeirah Lake Towers, and Silicon Oasis, specialise in offering authentic Sattvik Thali that is not only nutritious but also immensely tasty, ensuring you take care of your health and taste buds at the same time.

To Conclude

Making conscious choices in your lifestyle begins with making positive changes in your diet. It is never too late to adopt a healthy diet in your life. Prioritise organic food and fruits and vegetables. Minimise junk and processed food. Within weeks, you will start noticing the visible results in your skin and gut health. The long-term benefits will add years to your life and take care of your overall well-being.