{
  "id": 4253527,
  "title": "Eat today, protect tomorrow",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/eat-today-protect-tomorrow",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-29T18:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Star BD Health",
    "slug": "daily-star-bd-health",
    "url": "https://www.thedailystar.net/health/news/eat-today-protect-tomorrow-4259721"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Preventive nutrition is gaining importance as a healthcare strategy. It focuses on protecting health before illness strikes, and one of the simplest places to start is at the dinner table. This approach is not about restrictive diets or giving up favorite foods, but rather making balanced choices regularly to keep the body stronger for longer. Obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers are becoming increasingly common, and everyday eating habits can play a significant role in lowering future risk.\n\nA healthy plate can be straightforward. Half of it should be filled with colourful vegetables and fruits, a quarter with whole grains like brown rice, oats, or wholewheat foods, and the last quarter with protein sources such as fish, chicken, eggs, lentils, beans, or tofu. Healthy fats can be obtained from nuts and seeds, while water remains the simplest and healthiest drink option.\n\nIt's also important to pay attention to what we eat less often. Sugary drinks, heavily processed foods, deep-fried meals, processed meats, and foods high in salt should be consumed less frequently. Perfection is not required; small, consistent changes like swapping sweet drinks for water, adding vegetables to lunch, or choosing fruit as a snack can lead to meaningful improvements over time.\n\nVariety is key in a healthy diet. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, eggs, dairy, beans, nuts, and seeds provide the body with various nutrients essential for digestion, energy, strong bones, heart health, and brain function. For most healthy individuals, a varied diet can supply necessary nutrients without relying heavily on supplements.\n\nHowever, food alone cannot accomplish everything. Regular physical activity, seven to nine hours of sleep, stress management, avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight, and attending routine health checks all contribute to the protective effects of better eating. Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.\n\nHealthy choices also require supportive environments. Schools, workplaces, health professionals, communities, and governments can facilitate this by making nutritious food more accessible, affordable, and understandable through education, sensible food policies, and healthier meal programs.\n\nUltimately, the most powerful prescription for health may begin well before reaching for a prescription bottle. Each balanced meal is a small investment in future wellbeing. Prevention, though often subtle, holds strength in repetition: what we put on our plates today can significantly impact how well we live tomorrow. Raisa Mehzabeen, the founder and CEO of Nutrition For Change, emphasizes this concept.",
  "summary": "For decades, healthcare has often begun when something goes wrong: a troubling blood test, rising blood pressure or a diagnosis that changes everyday life.",
  "key_points": [
    "Preventive nutrition focuses on health before illness.",
    "Balanced plate includes vegetables, whole grains, protein, healthy fats.",
    "Small dietary changes lead to meaningful long-term improvements."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}