Do you know what a portion of vegetables should look like?

Porton size is really important, balancing out the right amount of protein, vegetables, carbohydrates and fats is essential to living a healthy lifestyle and having a balanced diet. So how do you know how much to have of each? I’m here to tell you.

You should be consuming a palm’s worth of protein for each meal. Why do you need protein? Your body uses protein to build and repair tissues. You also use protein to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood.

A fist of vegetable with each meal. Vegetables (yes even frozen vegetables) are packed with antioxidants and vitamins. Nature highlights the nutrients by giving them bright colours so you can spot them easier. This is what is called ‘a rainbow of vegetables’

You should be having a cupped hand of carbohydrates with each meal.

Carbohydrates have had a very bad rap of the last few years and it’s important to understand the difference between good (complex carbohydrates) and the not so good) Your body uses these foods to make glucose, which is your body's main energy source. Glucose is a type of sugar that can be used right away for energy or stored away to be used later. Complex Carbohydrates provide the body with the energy it needs and are a good source of many vitamins and minerals. For example, Fiber is a complex carbohydrate. It occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and cooked dry beans and peas.

You should be having a thumbs worth of fats in each meal. Fats trans fats - Trans-fats are artificially created fats used in the manufacture of foods. They increase shelf life and the flavour-stability of foods. Often found in fast food, cakes and biscuits. The good fats to go for are,avocados, olive oil, nuts, seeds, and oily fish. Don’t ever stop questioning fad diets. Cutting out food groups (except when you have an allergic reaction. Keep it simple, enjoy and live to the full! Low fat products have less fat but way more sugar. It’s much better to avoid low fat anything!