Benefits of Healthy Eating: Jumpstart Healthy Change in Your Life

Busy and dynamic lifestyles, topped up with fast food and an irregular eating schedule are the most common causes of decreased energy levels, constant fatigue and unhealthy weight gain. But what many people think is that eating healthy means being on a restrictive diet, which is completely wrong, since eating healthy isn’t only about losing weight. 

In fact, building healthy eating habits and looking on the healthier side of life is more about giving your body the necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrients for proper function, and therefore improving your physical and mental state. This is why we put together only a couple of the benefits you’ll reap once you start incorporating healthy ingredients into your daily eating routine.

Healthier Heart

Fast food and consuming unhealthy ingredients are just some of the main reasons for developing high blood pressure that commonly leads to heart attacks, strokes and heart failures. However, research has shown that a healthy diet along with regular exercising can prevent up to 80% of premature heart diseases.

But truth be told, many people that are concerned for their heart’s health and well being have no idea where to start from. For this purpose, don’t wait to explore health food shops online or in your area and stock yourself with some healthy ingredients as the starting point of your healthy journey. This includes a lot of vegetables, fruit, low-fat dairy products, beans, nuts, fish and vegetable oils.

On the other hand, experts also recommend avoiding sugary foods, fatty meats and full-fat dairy products which contain saturated and trans fats. Also, make sure you also avoid drinks that contain added sugars but replace them with water, tea, lemonade and homemade juices.

Reduced Risk of Cancer

One of the greatest benefits of developing healthy eating habits is that some healthy foods can have a huge contribution to preventing cancer. In fact, cancer can be caused by the presence of free radicals in your body, and foods rich in antioxidants will remove them, and therefore protect you from this deadly disease.

But if you’re wondering what foods are rich in antioxidants once you visit one of the health food shops online or physically, make sure you start from berries. For instance, blueberries and raspberries are huge sources of antioxidants while also being packed with vitamin C and K1, as well as manganese, proteins and fibres. Except for berries, doctors also recommend dark leafy greens, carrots, nuts and seeds.

Managing Diabetes

There’s a reason why doctors recommend healthful diets to patients suffering from diabetes. Incorporating a healthier lifestyle and eating healthy food is undoubtedly one of the most effective ways to manage your blood glucose and cholesterol levels, prevent any complications from your diabetes condition and maintain moderate levels of weight. 

When it comes to healthy food for managing your diabetes condition, make sure you hit your nearest health food store and stock your fridge with green leafy vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, kale and broccoli, whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, bulgur, rye, whole grain bread/pasta, fatty fish, a lot of beans and citrus fruits. 

On the other hand, people with diabetes should avoid carbs, saturated and trans fats, refined sugar, salty food and consuming alcohol.

Better Gut Health

A human’s colon is full of naturally occurring bacteria that are of great importance for the metabolism and the digestion process. These natural strains of bacteria are also beneficial for fighting harmful viruses and bacteria in your organism. But, consuming foods that are low in fibres, but high in sugar and fat will only cause inflammation and give harmful bacteria the perfect conditions for breeding.

For this purpose, doctors recommend eating goods that are rich in probiotics. Fermented foods that contain probiotics, such as yogurt, kimchi, kefir and sauerkraut will also promote regular bowel movements. So, don’t wait to hit your favourite healthy food shop and provide yourself with products that are good for your digestive system.

Improved Memory

The food you consume daily is responsible for providing your brain with the required blood flow. Hence, eating healthy foods results in increased blood flow, and therefore, preventing some common brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and different cognitive declines.

According to research, vitamin D and vitamin C supplements are very beneficial for protecting your brain from such diseases. However, these vitamins can also be found in foods such as citrus fruits, strawberries, peppers, broccoli and potatoes. On the other hand, doctors also recommend increasing your daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids and flavonoids. Such nutrients can be found in fish and seafood, nuts and seeds. 

Better Mood and Energy Levels

Many scientists have researched the connection between diet and mood, and the results are significant. In fact, research has shown that consuming foods with a high glycemic index can trigger symptoms of fatigue, anxiety and depression. In other words, make sure you avoid refined carbohydrates such as soft drinks, white bread and junk food, but switch on whole grains, fruit and vegetables from organic health food stores.

Weight Loss

Many people that are struggling with excess weight are oppressed to incorporating restrictive diets into their lifestyle and go for weight loss supplements instead. However, we already mentioned that eating healthily has nothing to do with restrictive diets for weight loss, although it can actually have a great contribution to losing excess weight in a healthy way.

This is due to many healthful foods such as fruits, vegetables and beans being lower in calories than most of the processed food we consume on daily basis. By switching to these foods, you won’t have to monitor your calorie intake while giving your body all the required nutrients to function. On top of that, such healthy and organic foods are rich in fibres and proteins that will keep you fuller for longer, and therefore help you lose weight.

Improved Night’s Sleep

Even though there are a bunch of natural sleep aids you can try, did you know that your eating habits can actually highly impact your night’s sleep? In other words, consuming sugary foods, and caffeine produce chemicals that give your brain signals to stay awake while carbs are one of the main sources of energy for the human’s body.

On the other hand, eating healthy foods won’t only overwhelm your digestive system, but they’ll also help you fall and stay asleep by controlling your sleep cycle.