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Food That Heals
A healthy eating strategy for energy, strength and longevity
Olga Zemtseva
© Olga Zemtseva, 2026
ISBN 978-5-0070-5572-7
Created with Ridero smart publishing system

Chapter 1. Healthy Nutrition
Healthy nutrition is a rational and balanced diet that provides the body with all the necessary nutrients in the required amounts. It involves consuming a variety of foods that include proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Proteins are the building blocks for the body’s tissues and cells. They participate in the processes of growth and tissue repair and also serve as a source of energy. Proteins can be obtained from meat, fish, dairy products, eggs, legumes, and nuts. Fats are an important source of energy for the body and are necessary for the absorption of certain vitamins. They help maintain healthy skin and hair and are involved in many processes in the body. Fats can be obtained from fish, nuts, avocado, olive oil, and other foods. Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body. They are essential for proper brain and muscle function and help maintain a healthy digestive system. Carbohydrates can be obtained from fruits, vegetables, grains, bread, pasta, and other foods. Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients required for proper body function. Vitamins are involved in many bodily processes, such as immune defense, metabolism regulation, and tissue growth. Minerals contribute to bone formation, balanced metabolism, and other vital functions. They can be obtained from fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, and grains. Healthy nutrition also involves moderate consumption of sweets, fatty foods, and salty foods. The diet should be diverse and balanced, taking into account the body’s needs. Healthy nutrition is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. It provides the body with essential nutrients that help maintain health and prevent the development of many diseases. This chapter will discuss what healthy nutrition is, which nutrients are necessary for the body, and how they affect our health.
Definition of Healthy Nutrition
Healthy nutrition is primarily a rational, balanced diet that provides the body with all the necessary nutrients in the right amounts. Healthy nutrition does not mean giving up your favorite foods; rather, it emphasizes moderation and variety in your diet.
Nutrients
Nutrients are substances necessary for the growth, development, and maintenance of health. They include proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and other essential substances. Each nutrient plays a specific role in the body, and it is important to obtain them in the correct proportions.
Proteins
Proteins are the main building blocks of our body. They are made up of amino acids and are necessary for growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues. Proteins can be obtained from various foods such as meat, fish, eggs, legumes, and nuts.
Fats
Fats are a source of energy for the body and are necessary for vitamin absorption, maintaining healthy skin and hair, and proper brain function. Although fats are essential, it is important to consume them in moderation. Fats can be obtained from fish, nuts, avocado, olive oil, and other foods.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body. They are also necessary for proper brain and muscle function.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients necessary for proper body function. Vitamins are involved in many processes in the body, such as immune defense, metabolism regulation, and tissue growth. Minerals contribute to bone formation, balanced metabolism, and other essential functions. They can be obtained from fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, and grains.
Rational Nutrition
Rational nutrition is a diet that considers the body’s nutrient needs. It should be balanced, include a variety of foods, and correspond to the body’s requirements depending on sex, age, and physical activity. Rational nutrition also involves eating in moderation and controlling calorie intake.
Rational and balanced nutrition is one of the main principles of healthy eating. It involves consuming diverse and balanced foods that contain all the necessary nutrients. Every day, we should get sufficient amounts of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to maintain health and well-being.
Balanced nutrition also means eating foods in the correct proportions. For example, carbohydrates should make up about 50% of total calories, fats about 30%, and proteins about 20%. Specific proportions may vary depending on individual needs.
SAOME (Balanced, Adequate, Optimal, Diverse, Natural) is another approach to healthy nutrition. This approach suggests that food should be balanced, i.e., contain all necessary nutrients; adequate, i.e., meet the body’s nutritional needs; optimal, i.e., correspond to the needs of a specific person; diverse, i.e., include different foods and dishes; and natural, i.e., be unprocessed and natural.
It is also important to consider the caloric content of food and control its intake. Overeating can lead to weight gain and the development of various diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions.
Overall, rational and balanced nutrition is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. It helps not only to maintain health but also to improve mood and increase energy levels.
Healthy nutrition is the key to a healthy lifestyle. The nutrients we get from food play an important role in our body and affect our health. A rational diet, which includes diverse and balanced foods, helps maintain health and prevent the development of many diseases. In the following chapters, we will learn more about specific nutrients, healthy eating strategies, and diets for specific conditions.
Healthy nutrition is not just a set of «healthy» foods but a whole system where everything matters: food quality, variety, combination of ingredients, and even meal timing. A well-structured diet helps maintain energy throughout the day, strengthens immunity, and reduces the risk of many diseases.
Throughout the day, it is optimal to follow a structure of three main meals and 2—3 light snacks. Breakfast plays a key role: it «activates» metabolism after the night’s rest. Studies show that people who regularly eat breakfast are more likely to maintain a healthy weight and concentrate better.
An ideal breakfast combines complex carbohydrates (e.g., oatmeal or whole-grain bread), protein (eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt), and healthy fats (nuts, seeds, avocado). A properly structured diet is not only about food choices but also about their distribution throughout the day. For example, skipping breakfast may cause the body to enter «energy-saving mode,» increasing the risk of overeating by evening. Research also shows that people who regularly eat breakfast tend to consume fewer calories overall.
Breakfast should be filling and balanced. Examples:
— Oatmeal with berries and nuts + yogurt
— Omelet with vegetables + whole-grain bread
— Cottage cheese with fruits and seeds
Interesting fact: combining protein and fat at breakfast helps maintain satiety longer than fast carbohydrates such as sweet cereals.
Lunch is the main source of energy during the day. It should be as balanced as possible: half of the plate can be vegetables, a quarter protein (fish, poultry, legumes), and another quarter complex carbohydrates (rice, buckwheat, quinoa). This principle is sometimes called the «plate method» and is widely used by dietitians worldwide. Lunch is fuel for the second half of the day.
One of the most effective approaches is the «plate rule»:
— 50% — vegetables
— 25% — protein
— 25% — complex carbohydrates
Example: baked chicken, buckwheat, and a large vegetable salad with olive oil.
A detail often forgotten: adding fats (e.g., oil) helps absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K — without them, vegetables lose part of their benefits.
Dinner is better kept lighter, especially if eaten late. However, the common myth that «you shouldn’t eat after 6:00 PM» has no scientific basis — overall diet quality and daily calorie balance matter more. Dinner is best composed of vegetables, lean protein, and a small amount of complex carbohydrates. Dinner is not the enemy but an ally if approached correctly. The myth about «no eating after 6 PM» is outdated. What matters more is what you eat.
Example of a good dinner: fish with vegetables or stewed legumes with greens.
Interesting fact: a protein-rich dinner can support muscle recovery and even improve sleep quality.
Snacks are not a weakness but a strategy. They help avoid sharp spikes in blood sugar. However, it is important to choose smart options:
— Apple + a handful of nuts
— Sugar-free yogurt
— Carrot with hummus
Interesting point: nuts are very calorie-dense, but studies show that people who regularly eat them are less likely to be overweight due to their ability to promote satiety.
Variety is key to real healthy nutrition. The more different foods in the diet, the more micronutrients the body receives.
For example:
— Red foods (tomatoes) — lycopene for the heart
— Orange foods (carrots) — beta-carotene for vision
— Green foods (spinach) — iron and folic acid
Surprising fact: frozen vegetables can sometimes be healthier than fresh ones because they are frozen immediately after harvest, preserving vitamins.
A separate note about water: even mild dehydration (just 1—2% fluid loss) can reduce concentration, cause fatigue, and trigger headaches.
Simple guideline: if you feel thirsty, it is already a signal that your body lacks water.
When it comes to meat and fish, moderation and quality are important. Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel) is rich in omega-3, which supports the heart and brain. Processed meats (sausages, hot dogs) should be limited, as they are associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases.
Snacks help maintain stable blood sugar levels and prevent overeating. It is important that they are nutritious, not «empty»: fruits, berries, nuts, natural yogurt, or hummus with vegetables are excellent options.
Interesting fact: nuts, despite being high in calories, do not contribute to weight gain when eaten in moderation; on the contrary, they can improve metabolism.
Another important detail: it’s not just what you eat, but how. Eating quickly «on the go» often leads to overeating because the brain doesn’t receive the signal of satiety in time (this takes about 15—20 minutes).
Ultimately, healthy eating is not a diet but a lifestyle. It’s about balance, mindfulness, and small but regular choices in favor of your health every day.
A balanced diet should include all major food groups: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protein sources, and dairy or alternatives. Variety is key to obtaining all necessary vitamins and minerals.
For example, colorful vegetables contain different antioxidants:
— Carrots are rich in beta-carotene
— Spinach contains iron and folic acid
Consumption of meat and fish is recommended in moderation. Fatty fish (e.g., salmon or mackerel) contains beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart and brain health. Prefer boiling, stewing, or baking — these cooking methods preserve more nutrients and do not add extra fats.
Do not forget about water: it participates in almost all processes in the body. Even mild dehydration can reduce concentration and cause fatigue. On average, an adult needs about 1.5—2 liters of water per day, but requirements may vary.
It is also important to limit added sugar and salt. For example, the World Health Organization recommends no more than 5 grams of salt per day — about one teaspoon. Excess sugar consumption is associated with an increased risk of obesity and diabetes.
As we can see, healthy eating is not about strict restrictions but a thoughtful and varied approach to food that can be adapted to your tastes and lifestyle.
Healthy nutrition becomes truly valuable when it moves from theory into practice — into your kitchen and daily habits. Even knowing all the principles, it’s important to turn them into real, tasty, and convenient meals that fit easily into your daily routine.
Many people think that healthy food is complicated, time-consuming, and not always tasty. In reality, it’s the opposite: simple combinations of natural products are often not only healthier but also more flavorful.
For example: ordinary oatmeal can become a complete and diverse breakfast by adding berries, nuts, and a little honey; baked vegetables with fish can become a restaurant-style dinner without extra effort.
The important point: healthy dishes do not require rare ingredients or complex techniques. Most recipes can be made from accessible products, and the process takes minimal time. This makes proper nutrition a sustainable habit, not a temporary experiment.
In the next section, we will look at examples of simple and tasty recipes that can help you. These dishes are suitable both for those starting a transition to healthy eating and for those who want to add more interesting and nutritious ideas to their menu.
Healthy Recipes
Whole Grain Pasta with Vegetables

