Healthy eating is necessary to take care of your most valuable asset: your life. To live a long and healthy life, it's important to eat nutritious foods. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, following a healthy eating plan that includes avoiding fat and eating lots of fruits and vegetables helps reduce the risk of high blood pressure, which can lead to heart problems.
Avoid Bad Fats
According to the American Heart Association, Americans should limit or avoid "bad" fats in their diets, such as saturated fat, cholesterol and trans fat, which can contribute to hardening of the arteries and heart conditions. These fats are often found in foods with low nutritional value and high amounts of calories, such as fast food and other processed foods, as well as food from animal sources, including red meats and whole-fat dairy products. Keep your diet low in bad fats by eating lean sources of protein such as baked or grilled chicken or turkey. Also, consume low-fat versions of dairy products such as cheese, yogurt and milk. Some fats are "good," fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish, as well as monounsaturated fats found in foods such as nuts and avocados. These fats help with brain functioning and contribute to skin and hair health.
Fruits and Vegetables
A healthy diet should include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, which offer lots of nutrients and little to no fat. Foods such as oranges, berries, tomatoes and cabbage are high in vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that helps protect skin from the damaging effects of the sun and environment. Another helpful antioxidant is vitamin E, which is found in green foods such as spinach and turnip greens. Vitamin E helps maintain skin health and fight the aging effects of free radicals in the body. Many fruits and vegetables are also high in fiber, which is important to keep waste moving through and out of the body, preventing colon problems and weight gain.
Whole Grains
Whole grains are another essential component of a healthy eating plan. Whole grains are rich in fiber, vitamins and nutrients, as well as carbohydrates, which are broken down into glucose in the body and converted into energy. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, fiber-rich whole grains can reduce the risk of heart disease. Many whole grains are also rich in B vitamins, which help keep the nervous system healthy. Whole grains and enriched grains are also often high in iron and other necessary minerals, such as selenium.
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