The Importance of Good Nutrition: 4 Reasons to Watch What You Eat
Have you heard the expression, “You are what you eat?”
It was first coined in 1826 by food writer Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin. His idea was that the food we eat affects who we become physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Today, the importance of nutrition is clearer than ever before. We live in a country where 42% of adults are obese and conditions like heart disease and diabetes run rampant.
How strong is the connection between good diets and good health? Let’s take a look at some key benefits of healthy eating.
The Importance of Nutrition
The foods you eat today affect how you’ll feel tonight, tomorrow, and into the future. Here are 4 ways your diet can make or break your overall health.
1. Nutrition & Disease
While a nutritious diet preserves your health, a poor diet is the root cause of many diseases and ailments.
Common health problems that result from poor nutrition include:
- Becoming overweight or obese
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Tooth decay
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Cancer
Good diets, on the other hand, give your body the tools it needs to prevent disease and maintain your health. Limit your consumption of sugar, sodium, and saturated fats while boosting your intake of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.
2. Nutrition & Weight Control
Being overweight leads to an array of health problems, from foot pain to diabetes. The importance of nutrition includes not only what you eat but how much you eat.
The average American consumes over 3,600 calories per day—far more than the recommended 2,000. The majority of these extra calories come from processed and refined foods.
A key focus of good nutrition is weight control by controlling your daily calorie intake. It also involves switching bad fats, like deep-fried foods, to good fats like avocados and olive oil.
3. Nutrition & Brain Health
The benefits of eating healthy aren’t limited to physical effects.
Two-thirds of people who eat fresh fruits and vegetables daily report no mental health problems. A well-balanced diet includes healthy fats, complex carbs, and essential vitamins and nutrients.
These keep your mind sound and your mood stable—and not just today. Research suggests that good nutrition can ward off cognitive decline and prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
4. Nutrition & Longevity
We all want to live a long, healthy, and happy life. Our eating habits can have a direct effect on how long we’ll live and how good our quality of life will be.
A pattern of overeating places stress on the body and could contribute to a shorter lifespan. Eating modest portions of nutrient-rich foods while reducing processed foods can have a positive effect on our longevity.
Improve Your Health With a Nutrition & Wellness Plan
The importance of nutrition can’t be overstated.
A healthy diet helps you ward off disease and maintain a healthy weight. It keeps your mind sound and can even contribute to a longer life span.
Why, then, do so many of us struggle with a poor diet? Could it be that you need some expert guidance to improve your eating habits?
Here at Mill Creek, we believe that good nutrition is a vital component in achieving optimal health. Click here to learn more about our customized nutrition and wellness plans.