Why Is Eating Healthy So Important?

Just as eating healthy food benefits the body, bad eating habits can lead to obesity, constipation, ailments and disease. In the United States, popular fast-food restaurants have created a culture of people who enjoy processed meats and cheeses, high-caloric and fattening foods that are often fried, and beverages laden with sugar. Healthy eating includes fresh, whole foods, like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean protein.

Controls Weight

Being overweight can be an unpleasant and embarrassing experience. Unwanted fat deposits on the thighs, stomach, and back may leave you feeling self-conscious and depressed. As the scale goes up, your morale goes down. Eating healthy foods on a daily basis assists in helping to maintain the proper weight. In fact, a change from unhealthy eating to healthy eating is a key factor to losing unwanted pounds. A slim frame not only looks attractive in most cultures, it also adds to your self-confidence.

Prevents Disease

Eat healthy to combat diseases like type 2 diabetes. Obesity is a major risk factor in this disease. According to the American Diabetes Association's website, other complications affiliated with type 2 diabetes are heart disease, blindness and kidney failure.

Decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes by consuming food and beverages that are low in sugar. Eliminate food and drinks made with high-fructose corn syrup. Substitute with herbal tea and water. These healthy alternatives help lower calories and are refreshing. Also, eat salads, raw or steamed vegetables, and whole grains.

Helps Digestion

An active digestive system is another reason healthy eating is important. Avoid constipation by including whole grains, like whole-wheat bread and oatmeal for fiber, in your daily eating plan. Other high-fiber foods include fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as beans, such as kidney, black and pinto.

Maintains Healthy Cholesterol

Most healthy foods have low to no cholesterol. For instance, fresh fruit and vegetables have zero cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association's website, high cholesterol raises the risk of heart disease. Your arteries may slowly develop a buildup, which narrows the arteries. Narrowed arteries can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Helps You Stay Light on Your Feet

Eating healthy often doesn't weigh you down and make you feel uncomfortably full. You should feel more mobile after eating a grilled chicken salad with light salad dressing and a glass of orange juice, than after a large, greasy cheeseburger with fries.