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Balanced diet and exercise vital for health

This was stated by nutritianist Dr Amelia Lake, while addressing a seminar titled 'Healthy Eating and Changing Your Dietary Habits' organised by Dubai Land Department as part of the Minds Pleasure seminars of the DSS at the Dubai Airport Expo.

She emphasised on healthy eating guidelines which people might know but don't practice. She suggested an eight-point regime, based on her research.

They include: 1. Base your meals on starchy foods. 2. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables. 3. Eat more fish. 4. Cut down on saturated fat and sugar. 5. Try to eat less salt — no more than 6g a day. 6. Get active and try to keep a healthy weight. 7. Drink plenty of water. 8. Do not skip breakfast. To find out if a person is overweight, she shared how the BMI (Body Mass Index) calculation will give an indication of being overweight. The person's weight in kilogram divided by the height in metres and then squared. A BMI of over 25 is defined as overweight and that over 30 is defined as obese, she said.

Dr Amelia said that changing dietary habits and maintaining the change by setting goals, identifying barriers and by implementing a support system, are essential in order to stay healthy.

• UAE