Let's not be extreme and position ourselves at either end of the stick, how about aiming for a balanced diet based on healthy foods and allow for occasional less healthy alternatives. Then we have to understand what the body needs to function well, so let's take a look at a healthy diet.

The key to health is a varied food intake. That means we can't even base our diet on a small number of foods that are considered healthy. Our diet should be varied and based on grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, meat and egg. As a vegetarian I don't eat any meat and get protein and calcium from dairy products, eggs, nuts, seeds and beans.

The old fashioned food pyramid tells us to base our diet on grains, an average amount of vegetables and fruits, an even lesser quantity of dairy products and finally a small amount of meat and egg.

In addition to these basic recommendations it should be said that the consumption of fat, sugar and salt should be kept to a minimum. Opt for using healthy oils such as olive oil, unrefined sugar and unrefined sea salt. Also eat as much whole grains as possible and less refined grains such as white bread.

Have you heard of superfoods? I used to be vegan and to make sure I would get enough nutrients I supplemented my diet with various expensive superfoods such as alfalfa, aloe vera, spirulina and chlorella. If you don't get enough vitamin b12 for example, you can take a vitamin b12 supplement - but let's not overdo it and believe that these so called superfoods would create any miracles.

A varied healthy diet does the job more than well. If you want to, you could call something as ordinary as raw garlic and raw green vegetables superfoods - because of their superior health benefits.

This can not be over empathized. If we only consume cooked or canned fruits and vegetables, we miss out on all the important enzymes. So let's make it really clear that raw fruits and vegetables are essential to good health. As a rule of thumb, eat two thirds fresh vegetables and one third fresh fruits. Most of us tend to do it the other way around since fruits are sweeter than most vegetables and therefore tastier. Eating large amounts of fruit is not considered healthy due to the high sugar content.

It is said to be healthier to eat a small fruit salad than just an apple. A mix of fruits tastes good too and is rich in vitamins, minerals and various enzymes. Why not sprinkle a little lime or lemon juice on top?

The same holds true for vegetables. It's healthier to eat a vegetable salad than a single vegetable. You can prepare a tasty and healthy salad dressing by mixing lime or lemon juice with a small amount of olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner make up the main three meals of the day. Without a substantial breakfast most of us won't make it until lunch without feeling light headed and low on energy - don't push yourself!

If you don't have much of an appetite in the mornings, settle for a lighter breakfast and have a healthy snack before lunch. In addition to the three main meals we should eat healthy snacks in between. Perhaps a fruit salad or a vegetable salad or a sandwich or just a fruit. Drink plenty of water with all meals.

Caring for your health makes for happiness and wellbeing. Not only will you benefit now but in the future as well. By caring for your body and mind you naturally develop a loving relation to yourself, which boosts the sense of wellbeing. Make good health a priority and enjoy life to its fullest...