Eating a healthy diet makes you feel better, reduces risk for developing diseases and certain health conditions, maintains or lowers weight and improves the condition of your body. Your body needs nutrients and minerals from healthy foods to function normally, thereby keeping your body processes running smoothly.
Significance
A healthy diet helps your body fight off disease and prevents or reverses chronic health conditions. Your body needs nutrients and minerals to maintain optimal health and keep your body functioning. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, it is estimated that 13 percent of premature deaths can be attributed to an unhealthy diet. Furthermore, the prevalence of obesity is rising rapidly, with chronic diseases and mortality projected to become more pronounced in the future.
Identification
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a healthy diet is a diet that emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat and fat-free dairy products and low-fat proteins like lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts. A healthy diet is low in sodium, saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol and free of added sugars. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) suggests making half of all grains consumed whole grains, varying the vegetables you eat, focusing on eating fresh fruits, eating lean protein and keeping food safe to eat in order to maintain a healthy diet.
Benefits
Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, according to the USDA. Protection against certain types of cancer like mouth, stomach and colorectal cancers is seen in people who consume healthy foods. Reduction in the risk of developing kidney stones and a decrease in bone loss is associated with eating a diet containing potassium, which is found in fruits and vegetables. Maintaining weight and weight reduction are benefits of eating a healthy diet, and eating a diet rich in fiber may help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
Trends
Media and public health organizations play a significant role in informing the public about the consequences of not eating a healthy diet. And according to Organicauthority.com, healthy eating is on the rise, with more people making changes to their diet such as switching to organic foods and increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables. People are also buying more food preparation devices like juicers, food processors and blenders.
Misconceptions
The misconception that eating a healthy diet has to be bland and boring is believed by people who have a difficult time eating healthy foods. But eating a diet full of fresh vegetables and fruits, with lean proteins, grains and low-fat dairy products can actually allow for the cooking and eating of more flavorful, interesting foods. Eating a healthy diet does not mean removing all the foods you love to eat from your diet; it means eating certain foods in moderation while keeping your overall diet healthy.
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