It's easy to say you'll eat healthy tomorrow, but you shouldn't put off good nutrition. Eating habits, especially those formed in childhood, set the stage for a lifetime of good or poor health. Still, it's never too late to change. A strong body and mind come from consistent daily nutrition, providing a constant replenishment of vitamins and building mineral stores over time. Good eating habits also help to prevent childhood obesity or "middle-age spread" and the related diseases that threaten long-term health.
Feel Better Now
You need energy for everyday tasks, high exertion and regular body functions, such as those related to your cardiovascular and digestive systems. When you don't get enough calories, protein, fiber or other nutrients, your metabolism may slow or even malfunction. You may succumb to fatigue, injury or infection. Eating a variety of low-fat protein foods, whole grains, vegetables and fruits will deliver the daily values of essential nutrients recommended by the FDA. A steady supply will bolster your energy levels and keep your body processes running efficiently.
Help Kids Grow
Children need complete nutrition for life-sustaining functions as well as for physical and mental growth and development. If they miss out on nutritious foods during childhood and adolescence, they may suffer lifelong health problems. Bones, teeth, muscles and brain development depend on nutrients such as calcium, potassium, iron and folate, or vitamin B-9. The USDA notes that a diet heavy in fats and sugars, such as fast foods and snack foods, can reduce the amount of important vitamins and minerals kids consume. A balanced diet from varied sources will automatically provide these nutrients.
Age Well
Weight is an indicator of health potential. If you eat a balanced diet that draws from all the food groups, you're more likely to maintain a healthy weight and place less strain on your organs and musculoskeletal system. The natural degeneration that occurs with age will be reduced or prevented. Choose a variety of foods from theses groups: vegetables; fruits; whole grains; beans; seeds, nuts and oils; lean meat; and dairy products. Modeling good eating behavior increases your children's chances of aging well, too. As the Office of the Surgeon General reports, an overweight child of an overweight parent has a greater chance of remaining overweight into adulthood. This can decrease his mobility at an early age and raise the risk for chronic health problems.
Prevent Disease
Becoming overweight or consuming too many detrimental nutrients, such as saturated and trans fats, sodium, sugar and cholesterol, are risk factors for disease. Getting too much saturated or trans fat, cholesterol and sodium can contribute to heart disease. Overloading on sugar may lead to weight gain and type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, getting plenty of dietary fiber from healthy foods, such as fruits, whole grains and vegetables, and unsaturated fats from fish, nuts, seeds and oils is linked to better heart and digestive health and less incidence of some cancers. Eating balanced meals with choices from various food groups keeps your blood sugar stable and diabetes at bay.
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