The importance of healthy lifestyle eating is profound and good nutrition has sweeping benefits across every area of your life. With new health fads and trends cropping up every week, it can be easy to write off healthy eating as a choice. But ensuring you get proper nutrition is the most crucial part of living a long and healthy life.
Nutrition has a huge impact on not just your weight but almost every part of your overall health. From disease and chronic illness to mental acuity, eyesight, and teeth, a healthy diet will support good health.
If you’re struggling to maintain a healthy diet, understanding why it’s so important could help you ensure you’re getting the right nutrition. As being healthy is more than just how you feel on a daily basis, it’s vital to know that you are eating as healthily as possible so you can benefit from the long term effects.
Read on to discover why getting the right nutrition is so important and start off on the right foot.
REDUCES RISK OF ILLNESS AND DISEASE
Illness and disease plague our nation now more so than ever. Research continues to show that diet plays an important role in the susceptibility and development of a wide range of diseases.
As we are in control of what we eat, giving our bodies proper nutrition is the single most effective thing we can do to fend off disease and stay as healthy as possible.
HEART DISEASE
The leading cause of death in the US, research now shows that a healthy, plant-based diet can help prevent and even reverse heart disease (also known as cardiovascular disease.)
By filling your diet with vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, you can reduce your risk of heart disease and take control of your health.
CANCER
While there are many types of cancers, there is much research showing that a plant-based diet can reduce your risk of developing cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends a plant-based diet of vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fish or poultry instead of red meat.
DIABETES
It’s estimated that nearly 10% of Americans suffer from diabetes, the 7th leading cause of death in the USA. Around 9 out of 10 cases of Type 2 pre-diabetes and diabetes are preventable with lifestyle changes so you can avoid or even manage this disease.
Nutrition has a huge impact on your diabetes risk with the Harvard School of Health recommending reducing sugar, red meat, and processed food intake. Instead, opt for whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats like those in nuts and seeds.
IMPROVES MENTAL FUNCTION AND MOOD
Diet not only plays a large role in preventing disease and illness but it also helps your brain function at an optimum level. It’s been shown that a healthy diet full of nutrients including omega-3 can boost cognitive function and reduce mental decline in later years.
To keep your brain healthy, follow a healthy diet with whole foods and healthy fats including omega-3.
Good nutrition has also been linked to a reduction in mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Studies show that good nutrition helps support a healthy gut which can reduce anxiety and improve mental health.
HEALTHY FOOD GIVES YOU ENERGY
Ever felt sluggish after a processed meal heavy on simple carbs, like a burger and fries? Or perhaps you’re hungry even though you only ate a short while ago. Processed foods are often low on nutrients and high in refined sugars which don’t provide the energy your body and brain need.
When you cut out processed and refined foods and replace them with vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, you’ll likely find your energy levels increase.
This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy dessert though. There are plenty of delicious dessert recipes that are full of healthy protein and fats!
HELPS YOU MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT
A healthy weight plays an important role in disease prevention as well as your overall health. Being overweight or obese heightens your risk of many health issues such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, arthritis, and asthma.
Eating a healthy diet rich in vegetables and other whole foods can help you reduce your weight and maintain a weight in the healthy range. Plant-based diets are typically low in fat and sugar so a healthy weight is easier to maintain than with a diet high in processed, sugary foods.
KEEPS YOUR EYES HEALTHY
Did you know that good nutrition is essential for eye health? The eyes require a mixture of vitamins and healthy fats to stay in top health and prevent sight loss and degeneration.
Poor diet can cause vision loss later in life so it’s important to eat well throughout your life to keep your vision as good as possible. Many fruits and vegetables contain the key nutrients that your eyes require for good health so fill your diet with these delicious plants.
UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY LIFESTYLE EATING
A healthy life isn’t just about nutrition but it’s clear that the importance of healthy lifestyle eating is huge. Luckily experts agree on what makes up a healthy, nutrient-rich diet.
A plant-based, whole food diet containing vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and healthy fats can improve your health across the board. We hear the same advice about what to exclude or reduce from our diets time and time again too. Cut down on processed foods, sugar, and red meat.
Now you can see how healthy eating can have such far-reaching benefits for your overall health, you can take steps to get in control of your diet. Nutrition coaching is an excellent way of building a diet plan for good health and sticking to it.
If you want to take control of your diet and get on the road to good health, get in touch and find out more about nutrition coaching. You don’t have to eat unhealthily and suffer. With the right knowledge and system in place, you can benefit from a nutrition-rich diet and get back that spring in your step.