You may have heard: healthy is the new sexy.
And if you are not eating healthy, being a junk food junkie, then you’re not on your way to being healthy!
Junk food, as we know does not help us reach our goals for healthy living, optimum brain health, and excellent physical and mental health.
According to junk food facts by the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC), men and boys are more likely to eat fast food lunches as compared to their female counterparts. Women, meantime, were more likely to eat junk food and fast food as a snack, instead of a whole meal.
Why eat healthy?
Healthy eating is one of the most important things you can do for your body, affecting every aspect of your health including your mood, energy level, and even how long you live, health experts say.
“Eating well will help you be more active and strong, reduce stress levels, improve concentration and boost overall happiness.
Further scientific research shows that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of developing depression since healthy food is loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants which protect the body from stress and other harmful substances such as heavy metals.
A diet high in fruits and vegetables also reduces anxiety by providing essential vitamins needed to produce serotonin, a hormone associated with mood regulation.
From eating unhealthy food, we can transition to eating healthy -- which is one of the best things you can do for your body.
Eating healthy is not only good for your body but also your brain and mental health.
Research shows that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of developing depression. This is because they are loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants which protect the body from stress and other harmful substances such as heavy metals.
A diet high in fruits and vegetables also reduces anxiety by providing essential vitamins needed to produce serotonin, a hormone associated with mood regulation.
Medical experts also underscore the obvious: that healthy eating is essential to healthy living.
We have all heard the doctors’ advice, that it is important to eat a variety of foods from each food group, stay hydrated with at least eight glasses of water daily, and live an active lifestyle.
While foods that are high in fat, sugar, and sodium can all contribute to heart disease and weight gain, most of us continue to eat this unhealthy food, which leads to unfavorable results for our health.
What are the side effects of being overweight or obese? How does being overweight contribute to our overall well-being?
“Being overweight or obese increases your risk for health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, arthritis, and even some cancers,” medical research warns.
A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pointed out that heart disease is the leading cause of death for adults in the United States.
The report further affirmed that hypertension or high blood pressure is a growing concern not only in the US but also in other parts of the world, with the said medical condition possibly leading to heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.
Other sources meantime report that it is possible to prevent up to 80% of premature heart disease and stroke diagnoses, simply by making lifestyle changes on the path of healthy living, healthy eating, and yes, physical activity.
Diet, whether healthy or healthy, plays a significant role in everything from depression to autoimmune disease, so it makes sense to pay close attention to our food intake, making sure that we take the path of healthy eating and healthy living.
From the National Cancer Institute, a word of advice: that eating healthy foods which contain antioxidants could lessen a person’s risk of developing cancer, as the mentioned antioxidants increase the body’s immunity to diseases, and protect healthy cells from damage.
Healthy eating via fruits, nuts, legumes, and vegetables has phytochemicals acting as antioxidants -- such as Vitamins A, C, and E, beta-carotene, and lycopene -- which contribute to one’s health and well-being.
As young kids, we’ve heard it over and over again from our parents, and now as adults, we continue to hear this advice: that yes, you should always eat healthy food for a longer and healthier life!
So the first step is to cut out all junk and processed foods, reduce eating animal products, and replace them with more vegetables and fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds, legumes, beans, and lentils: all well-meaning advice to keep you healthy and active for years.
Yes, there are a lot of recipes online so you can have endless ideas in whipping up tasty dishes without much effort, especially if you’re a busy bee!
And the benefits we gain from a healthy diet are endless as well. Your physical health improves, you feel better mentally, and your energy levels stay consistent throughout the day.
With all these benefits, eating a balanced diet will help you further avoid unnecessary spending on food by making it at home. Take our advice on eating right!
And yes, it would be wise to follow my blog so you can always be updated on new ways to keep and stay healthy!
Comments