10 Reasons Why You Need to Eat a Better Diet

Eating a healthy balanced diet isn’t all that complicated. Just choose a variety of foods from all the major food groups including fruits and vegetables, meats or protein sources, dairy or calcium, grains and cereals, and healthy oils and fats. It also helps if you also want to consume the right amount of calories to maintain a healthy weight and cut back on all the unhealthy junk foods.

Sometimes the question isn’t about what makes up a healthy diet; it’s about why should a person eat a healthy diet. So, in case you’re wondering, here are my top ten reasons why you should eat a healthy diet.

Oh sure, you can lose weight by eating low-calorie junk food or by following the latest ridiculously restrictive fad diet, but it’s just not the best way to lose weight and be healthy.

Eating a healthy diet that includes lots of fresh low-calorie nutrient-dense fruits and veggies, high-fiber whole grains and legumes will help you lose the excess adipose and supply you with all the nutrients you need.

While there’s much more interest in losing weight, there are a number of people who need to gain weight due to illness or other reasons. Choosing healthful energy-dense foods like nuts, seeds, and dried fruit can help you gain weight without resorting to junk foods that aren’t nutritious.

Having a history of poor eating habits and being obese are two major risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Increasing your intake of healthful foods and losing weight if you’re obese or overweight may help reduce the risk.

A diet rich in fish, nuts, fruits, veggies and other healthy foods (like a Mediterranean-type diet) provides you with omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats that are good for your heart. It also makes it easier to avoid most trans-fats that are associated with cardiovascular disease.

Eating a poor diet, drinking too much alcohol, gaining too much weight, and heavy consumption of red and processed meats are associated with a higher risk of some forms of cancer. And although it’s difficult to say that any particular foods prevent cancer, eating a healthy diet overall may decrease your cancer risk.

If you’re a parent or grandparent struggling with a picky eater, you might find the situation easier to handle if you set a good example for your child. How can you expect your kids to eat broccoli while you’re sitting there eating potato chips? Also, getting kids and picky eaters into the kitchen is one great way to get them motivated to try new foods.

Eating a healthful, balanced diet will provide you will all the essential vitamins and minerals you need every day. I mean, I know there’s nothing wrong with taking a multi-vitamin to ensure an adequate intake, but research indicates there are more health benefits associated with eating a variety of healthful foods, and in some cases, taking supplements can be risky.

Please note, however, if your healthcare provider has you taking supplements for some reason, you shouldn’t stop taking them without speaking to him or her first.

Eating a healthy diet provides you with the carbohydrates you need for energy, along with enough B-complex vitamins to help the process along. Don’t forget to start with a healthy breakfast because it helps keep you alert all morning and sets the stage for a day of healthy eating.

Eating a healthy diet helps you look your best by supplying the nutrients your skin needs to stay supple and smooth and maybe stave off those wrinkles. And your hair needs good nutrition, including plenty of protein, to be soft, shiny and healthy.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, most Americans eat far less dietary fiber than they should.  needs. Fiber is essential for a healthy digestive system and to help maintain normal cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Eat right and includes lots fiber sources such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.