What Are the Effects of Eating Healthy?

Eating healthy is all about what you are putting into your body and how your body is using it (or not using it) for fuel and repair. Most nutritionists consider a diet that is low in fat, sodium, and sugar while high in fiber, vitamins and minerals, and protein to be a healthy one. It's not about starving yourself to be thin, it's about giving your body what it needs so that you can feel satisfied and healthy.

Types

There are many different diets and recommendations out there, just as there are many different types of people. Each person will require a certain type of nutrition plan, depending on current health conditions and family history of disease. If members of your family have had heart disease, high cholesterol or diabetes, your chances of having the same health issues increase. By eating a healthy diet that is tailored to your specific needs, you can beat genetic tendencies and decrease your risk. Regardless of family history, you are still at risk for health complications if a healthy diet is forgone and you do not stay active.

Misconceptions

Because of the advertising that supports diets that restrict certain nutrients all together, people are often confused about what exactly a healthy diet is. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that 15 percent of your daily calories come from fat, 55 percent from carbohydrates, and 35 percent from protein. Each gram of fat has 9 calories, and each gram of carbohydrate or protein has 4 calories. You will not meet these basic recommendations by sticking to a no-carb or low-calorie diet.

Function

A healthy diet is a vehicle to a healthy body. All of the things we consume are used by the body for different things. When we consume too much of one thing and the body is not able to use it, it is either stored as energy in the form of fat, or excreted as waste. When the stored fat is not converted back into energy through consistent exercise and a healthy diet, your risk of health complications will increase as your body weight does. By eating a healthy diet, your body gets the nutrients it needs to function properly and keep you moving and energized.

Benefits

When your body gets what it needs (but not too much) from the foods you eat, you will notice you have more energy, your hormones are balanced keeping you in a cheerful mood, your blood sugar is regulated keeping you on an even keel, and your immune system will be stronger to stave off sickness. Eating healthy also reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, stroke, heart attack, and high cholesterol.

Indulging

All of this talk about the benefits of healthy eating does not mean you can't enjoy a bowl of ice cream or a few cookies every once in a while. Strict diets fail because they don't allow for an occasional splurge causing your cravings to get out of control. By allowing yourself to have a reasonable portion of your favorite foods that just aren't healthy, you can keep your cravings under control and not worry about completely depriving yourself of dessert.

Creating a Balance

You will have more energy from eating healthy foods and you can use that energy by going on a walk around the neighborhood or taking the dog to the park to play fetch. When you pair eating healthy with consistent activity, your benefits increase exponentially. Like eating a healthy diet, staying physically fit will impact your energy levels in a positive way along with preventing diseases as well.

Warning

You may have a pre-existing condition or certain nutritional needs that will require you to eat or avoid eating certain things, so talk to your doctor before starting a nutrition plan.