8 Reasons Why You Need Good Diet and Nutrition

A healthy diet has been scientifically proven to provide numerous health benefits, such as reducing your risk of several chronic diseases and keeping your body healthy. A healthy diet prevents malnutrition and protects you from diseases like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and stroke. Today, many people’s diets consist of more saturated fat, trans fats, sugars, and more sodium than fruits, vegetables and dietary fibre. Your body’s health reflects what you put into it.

There are many benefits to having a nutritious diet. Below are 8 reasons:

1. It Helps You Manage A Healthy Weight

Eating a nutritious diet filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy and protein will help maintain a healthy body weight. There is no one diet, no diet pill and no surgery that lets people eat whatever they want and still expect weight loss and improved health. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise program will be what is needed to achieve those goals. If eating healthy makes you think about the food you can’t have, refocus your thoughts on the foods you can have. Put a new spin on an old recipe to make it a little healthier. You don’t have to give up your favourite comfort foods; it’s all about balance. Adding a variety of fruits and vegetables to meals can help you control your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol.

2. It Helps Maintain Your Immune System

Our immune system is our firewall against disease, but poor nutrition is the most common cause of immunodeficiency worldwide. Maintaining your immune system requires an intake of proper vitamins and minerals. Eating a well-balanced diet, including fruits, vegetables and food low in fats, will help support a healthy immune system.

3. It Gives You Energy

Our bodies derive energy from the foods and liquids we consume. The main nutrients our body uses for energy are carbohydrates, fats and protein. Carbohydrates such as whole-grain breads and starchy vegetables are the best for prolonged energy since they are digested at a slower rate. Water is necessary for transport of nutrients, and dehydration can cause a lack of energy. A deficiency in iron may cause fatigue, irritability and low energy. Food rich in iron includes seafood, poultry, peas and dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach. To better absorb iron from these foods, it is best to consume vitamin C at the same time. Think of including vitamin C rich foods like peppers, leafy greens and tomatoes in meals full of iron.

4. It Reduces The Risk of Chronic Disease

Risk factors for chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, have been increasingly seen at younger ages as a result of unhealthy eating and weight gain.  Among adults ages 20 to 74, diabetes remains the leading cause of kidney failure, blindness and non-traumatic lower-extremity amputation. Dietary habits are typically established in childhood and carry on into adulthood, making it crucial to teach children the importance of eating a healthy diet early on.

5. Eating Healthy Positively Affects Your Mood 

Diets high in carbohydrates have a more uplifting effect on mood, the reverse increase the feeling of tension. A diet rich in protein, moderate in carbohydrates and low in fat will have a positive effect on mood because it leaves an adequate supply of iron, omega-3 fatty acids and iron. As much as food affects our mood, mood affects our food choices. When we experience feelings of sadness, we are more likely to choose unhealthy foods. People feeling happier are more likely to choose healthier diet. 

6. Healthy Diets May Lengthen Your Life

Your body needs food in order to survive, but the process of breaking down food nutrients, or metabolizing, causes stress on the body. Overeating creates more stress on the body and could lead to a shorter lifespan. According to research, 18 percent of deaths among blacks can be attributed to obesity. Obesity could potentially lead to a decline in life expectancy in the Nigeria. Diets that are rich in nutrients and do not contain processed foods have been found to have a positive effect on life expectancy.

7. Being Healthy Is Cheaper

Taking up a healthier diet could have prevent a good number of diseases. A large number of Nigerian adults are overweight or obese. According to a research, a healthier diet could prevent at least billions of Naira per year on medical cost and lost lives. That number may be underestimated because it only accounts for diet-related coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. It does not include other diet-related illnesses.

8. Good Nutrition Improves General Wellness

Eating a poor diet reduces physical and mental health because eating healthy allows people to be more active. Two-thirds of people who eat fresh fruit and vegetables daily report no mental health issues, as reported by the Mental Health Foundation. Compare this to those who do have some level of mental health problems and have generally reported eating less healthy foods and more unhealthy foods. Feelings of well-being can be protected by ensuring that our diet is full of essential fats, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. 

If you aren’t sure if you are following proper eating habits, consult your primary health  care provider to discuss your concerns or questions.

Eat healthy and stay healthy.