Diet is the key factor influencing nutrition, where the quality and quantity of food and beverages consumed directly affects the health of individuals and communities. Ensuring optimal nutrition is crucial for the physical growth, development and cognitive abilities of infants, children, and all age groups.
How can we cultivate a healthy lifestyle through mindful food choices? In this day and age, abundant information is readily accessible. Personally, I rely on various online sources to discern the nutritional value of what I consume and to find inspiration for simple yet healthy and nutritious meals.
As a student, my friends and I typically prioritize three factors when deciding what to eat: proximity to campus, affordability, and taste. Consequently, our meals often consist of instant noodles, cilok, egg rolls, seblak, and fried foods.
However, I realized that there is a better option – eating at home. Apart from being cost-effective and pre-prepared, home-cooked meals are generally more hygienic and more nutritious. For example for my lunch today, I had meat soup with potatoes and carrots on the side alongside rice as the carbohydrate. For dessert, I had apples and pears.
For dinner, I focus on incorporating vegetables, fruits, and protein. One example is stir-fried tofu and tempeh with long beans seasoned with oyster sauce and complementary spices. You can serve rice or potatoes as the carbohydrate source.
Though I’m still struggle to regulate my food portions, I’m making progress towards a more nutritionally balanced diet.
Therefore, for today’s youth, a healthy diet encompasses more than just vegetables. Our bodies require a variety of foods such as protein (both plant-based and animal), carbohydrates, fruits rich in minerals and proteins, as well as water and healthy fats, to achieve balanced nutrition. While occasional outings with friends for snacks are permissible for socializing, prioritizing meals at home is advisable. Not only is it cleaner and healthier, but it’s also more budget-friendly.
References:
https://krakataumedika.com/info-media/artikel/pentingnya-gizi-seimbang-bagi-kesehatan
https://indonesiabaik.id/infografis/hidup-sehat-dengan-gizi-seimbang#:~:text=Gizi%20yang%20baik%20membuat%20berat,juga%20fungsi%20kehidupan%20sehari%2Dhari.
https://www.sehatq.com/artikel/rekomendasi-menu-makan-malam-lezat-dan-sehat
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