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Hi SN, 

Thank you for your question.

A balanced diet is one which provides all the nutrients in required amounts and proper proportions. It can easily be achieved through a blend of the four basic food groups. The quantities of foods needed to meet the nutrient requirements vary with age, gender, physiological status and physical activity. A balanced diet should provide around 50-60% of total calories from carbohydrates, preferably from complex carbohydrates, about 10-15% from proteins and 20-30% from both visible and invisible fat.

As a general dietary guideline, for an apparently healthy individual/ female with no specific health or nutrition needs and/or metabolic condition it is recommended to consume 2000kcal/d and the Daily protein requirement should ideally be followed as 0.8-1g protein per kg body weight.

Here are few guidelines for healthy balanced diet that can be considered:

-Have a Diversified Balanced Diet that includes all the food groups in the right quantity which thereby provides you with all the essential macro and micro nutrients that your body requires daily for proper functioning. 

- Try to incorporate the My plate Concept by dividing your plate into 4 quadrants, fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables, the other two quadrants with cereals and protein. A small quantity of dairy intake is recommended. 

-Begin your day with a well-balanced breakfast as it is an important meal of the day.

-Avoid skipping meals. Also, try to avoid fasting and feasting too often.

- Consume small frequent meals, with healthy snacking options. 

-Consume minimum 5 servings of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit as they are rich in Fiber, essential minerals & Vitamins as well as they give you a feeling of satiety. 

-Try to consume more of Whole grains, Millets and Multigrain foods as they are a good source of fiber.

-Limit intake of deep-fried foods. Method of cooking like baking, grilling, boiling, steaming is preferable over deep frying with excess fat/ oil.

-Have your last meal at least 2-3 hours before sleep time. 

-Drink adequate amount of water (minimum 8 glasses) of water daily to keep yourself well hydrated

-Engage in at least 30-45 minutes brisk walk/physical activity of moderate intensity at least 5 days a week.

-Try and follow a good sleep regimen in terms of both quantity and Quality.

For a customised and personalised meal plan for specific conditions, please contact your Health care professional.

Hope we have answered your query.

Wishing you a great day ahead

Hi Manthan,

Thank you for your question. 

WHO has given different BMI (Body mass index) classifications to categorise adults into different weight categories. BMI is a simple index of weight-for-height. It can be considered as a 2nd level indicator of overall health. 

It can be calculated using a simple formula of BMI = Weight (kg) / Height (m²)

Following is the WHO BMI Classification

18.5 to 24.9 - Normal

Less than 18.5 - Underweight

25 to 29 - Overweight

Above 30 - Obese 

As per WHO BMI (Body Mass Index) classification, a person weighing less than 18.5 kg/m2 is considered underweight. 

The causes of underweight or unintended weight loss can be due to genetics, inadequate food intake, stress, hormonal imbalance, malabsorption or other underlying health condition. 

Exercises for toning of muscles, and body shaping require specific exercise regimen given by a trained health or fitness coach, followed by appropriate dietary changes, especially in terms of good quality proteins balanced with appropriate calories, which should be done under professional guidance. For specific exercise regimen please contact a fitness expert. 

A high calorie and high protein diet is recommended for weight gain. Daily protein requirement should ideally be followed as 0.8-1g protein per kg body weight. Some of the sources of high protein include pulses, lentils, milk, paneer, soybean, eggs, lean meat, nuts & seeds etc. 

Here are few guidelines that can be considered

• Having a Healthy Diversified Balanced Diet that includes all the food groups in the right quantity which thereby provides you with all the essential macro and micro nutrients that your body requires daily for proper functioning. Include energy dense foods, keeping in mind the daily needs.
• Maintain a positive energy balance where the calorie intake should be more than the energy expenditure.
• Include energy dense foods, keeping in mind the daily needs. Some of the energy dense foods include Whole wheat, Multigrain, millets, dairy products, nuts, colocasia leaves, banana, raisins, pulses/lentils etc. 
• Do not skip meals. Eat small frequent meals. 
• Three major meals a day with healthy nutritious snacks in between is preferred.
• Try to increase the serving size and portion size gradually and systematically 
• Include healthy fats from nuts and seeds.
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day to maintain hydration
• Indulging in physical activity can help in increasing the appetite and give a feeling of hunger. 
• Try to follow a good sleep regimen in terms of both quantity and quality. 

For a customised and personalised meal plan for specific conditions, please contact your Health care professional.

Hope we have answered your query.

Wishing you a great day ahead

Dear Sowmiya, 

Thank you for the question 

Food is an essential component of living healthy. Our body requires right proportion of micronutrients and macronutrients for growth and development. A healthy diet is very important for our energy, wellbeing, immunity, etc. One of the key aspects of living a happy healthy life amongst many others is to consume diversified balanced diet consumed in right proportions and in a mindful manner, regularly engage in physical activity and follow a good sleep regimen.

Adolescence or teen age is acritical period of our lives in which our body undergoes rapid changes, growth and development. It is very essential to consume a healthy balanced diet with adequate amount of protein and other nutrients such as calcium, iron, vitamin D etc., which will help support growth, development, pubertal changes and strong bones.

Physical growth and development of an individual involves various factors like Genetics, Gender, Nutrition & Physical activity. Consuming well balanced diet with all food groups in appropriate amounts will help you reach all your daily nutrient requirements and maintain a healthy development.

Some of the essential nutrients such as protein, calcium, magnesium, vitamin D etc, contribute to the development and maintenance of strong, healthy bones. Some of the good sources of these nutrients include milk & milk products, egg, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes.

Recommended daily allowance for calcium is 1050mg and for Vitamin D is 600IU (15mcg) per day for 18 year old girl

Reference ideal body weight and height for 18-year-old female can be considered as 53.8kg and 161.1cm height.

Consuming 3 major meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) alomg with healthy snack in between in between is important to maintain energy and meet your daily nutritional requirements.

To maintain ideal weight, it is important to consume regular meals and engage in daily physical activity, practice portion guidance and maintain good sleep regimen.

Here are a few general Dietary guidelines to be considered for adolescent nutrition.

·       Adolescence represents a period of active life, hence no meal of the day should be missed to sustain energy and growth spurts

·       Having a Healthy Diversified Balanced Diet that includes all the 5 food groups (cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, milk & milk products) in the right quantity which thereby provides you with all the essential macro and micro nutrients that your body requires daily for proper functioning.

·       Begin your day with a well-balanced breakfast as it is an important meal of the day.

·       Consume minimum 4 servings of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit as they are rich in Fiber, essential minerals & Vitamins as well as they give you a feeling of satiety.

·       An adolescent girl should take enough calcium rich foods in her diet to support the increase of bone density and maintain healthy strong bones. Some of the calcium sources include milk, cheese, paneer, Ragi, curd, yogurt.

•       Food should be colourful and attractive.

•       Avoid empty calories from foods such as carbonated beverages.

•       Iron rich foods should be included in the diet to prevent iron deficiency anaemia. Some of the sources of iron include red meat, green leafy vegetables, eggs, etc

•       Calories and protein rich foods should be taken to support the growth spurt. Some of the good sources of protein include, milk, paneer, lean meat, eggs, lentils, soybean, nuts etc.

•       Include fruits and vegetables to meet the vitamin, minerals and fiber requirement.

•       Try to consume more of Whole grains, Millets and Multigrain foods as they are a good source of fiber.

•       Limit intake of deep-fried foods.

•       Minimum of 6-8 glasses of water should be consumed to keep yourself hydrated.

•       Have your last meal at least 2-3 hours before Bed time.

•       It is necessary to engage in physical activity particularly outdoor games. Physical activity regulates appetite. Engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity throughout the week.

•       Try to follow a good sleep regimen in terms of both quantity and quality.

For a customised and personalised meal plan for specific conditions, please contact your Health care professional.

Hope we have answered your query.

Wishing you a great day ahead

Dear Prathiba P,

Thank you for the question

Being Mindful while eating is necessary to have a control over food cravings & hunger. Mindfulness is an intentional focus on one’s thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in the present moment. Eating mindfully is when you are using all of your physical and emotional senses to experience and enjoy the food choices you make. Mindful eating encourages one to make choices that will be satisfying and nourishing to the body.

Increased abdominal fat can happen due to sedentary lifestyle, excess intake of high fat foods, hormonal imbalance and/or an underlying health condition. Please contact your health professional for further diagnosis and assistance.

A sustainable and healthy weight loss regimen, should target on overall weight loss and fat reduction. Weight loss requires a holistic approach that involves lifestyle modification which includes Dietary modification, Physical activity and stress management. With any weight loss plan changes take time to reflect as your body requires sufficient time to adapt to the changes in order to show results.

An ideal weight loss meal plan should include calorie deficit diet with appropriate exercise regime followed under professional guidance.

However here are few objectives to be considered when planning to start with a weight loss program.

Count Your Daily Calories

• It is recommended to consume 500kcal less than your average, daily, current dietary intake of calories to target on 2-3kg weight loss per month (ideally 0.5kg per week).
• This target is a healthy & sustainable way of reducing and then maintaining the weight loss.
• The first step hence is “counting your daily calorie intakes”. Counting your daily calorie intake is proven to be effective when on a weight loss diet. You can use applications/apps freely available, that will help you count your calories to keep a track on your daily calorie intake and physical activity levels.
• These apps will also help you to track your hydration & sleep patterns which also impact your weight.
• Ideal body weight for an individual can be calculated using the Broca Index (BI) which is: Ideal Standard Weight (kg) = Ht (cm) – 100
• WHO has given different BMI (Body mass index) classifications to categorise adults into different weight categories. BMI is a simple index of weight-for-height. It can be considered as a 2nd level indicator of overall health.

It can be calculated using a simple formula of BMI = Weight (kg) / Height (m²)

Following is the WHO BMI Classification

18.5 to 24.9 - Normal

Less than 18.5 - Underweight

25 to 29 - Overweight

Above 30 – Obese

General Dietary Guidelines for weight loss that can be considered:

- Eat a well-balanced diet that includes all the 5 food groups (cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, milk & milk products).

- Do not skip your meals. Have small quantity of meals at regular intervals.

- Choose healthy snacking options in between your meals.

- Monitor your portion size.

-Try to include whole grains like wheat, millets and multigrain in your diet as they are a good source of fiber and other nutrients.

-  Fiber in your meals can potentiate the satiating property, suppress excess hunger and control food intake. All fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts & seeds etc., are a good source of fiber.

- Try switching from saturated fats and trans fats to MUFA (mono-unsaturated fatty acids) & PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) as they are essential fatty acids and are good for your health.

- Consume fresh, seasonal fruits as they contain many essential nutrients and are good sources of fiber.

 - Carbonated and alcoholic beverages to be limited or preferably avoided.

- Deep Fried foods to be restricted. Method of cooking like baking, grilling, boiling, steaming is preferable over deep frying with excess fat/ oil.

- Minimum of 8 glasses of water should be consumed to keep yourself hydrated.

- Have your last meal at least 2-3 hours before Bed time.

- Try to follow a good sleep regimen in terms of both quantity and quality.

Some Physical Activity Tips:

Engage in at least 30-45 minutes of physical activity of moderate intensity such as walking for at least five days a week.

For further assistance you can book a call for free dietitian consultation on our website. https://www.callr.live/aashirvaadexperts/Book-Appointment. 

For a customised and personalised meal plan for specific conditions please contact your Health care professional or any registered dietician.

Hope we have answered your query.

Wishing you a great day ahead.