According to the World Health Organization, more than 2.7 million people lose their lives because of the deficiency of fruits and vegetables in their meals. Eating a healthy diet has numerous benefits compared with the practice of eating a non-balanced diet. When an individual takes healthy foods, he absorbs essential nutrients that are required by the body and this boost the immune system lowering the risks of diseases and illnesses. Contrary, taking unhealthy foods is harmful as it deteriorates the state of the body, weakening the body immune system and exposing an individual to a high risk of diseases.
The healthy diets are comprised of nutrient rich foods including legumes, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, fruits and vegetables, nuts, lean proteins and seeds (Clayton, David, and Laura 23). On the other hand, the unhealthy diets consist of fast foods with a high level of calories and inadequate nutrients. For an individual to stick with a healthy diet, he must regulate the portions of food intake to retain a healthy weight, since the quality and quality of foods are the key determinants towards living a healthy life. Eating healthy involves consumption of a healthy diet that or putting in something to the body and how the body is using it for repair and fuel. Nutritionists define a healthy diet as that diet that contains low sodium, sugar, and fat but high vitamins, protein, fiber and minerals. Eating healthy, therefore, entails providing the body with the contents it needs so that a person can feel healthy and satisfied. Healthy diet includes fresh and whole foods such as whole milk, vegetables and fruits, lean protein, low-fat dairy and whole grains.
Eating healthy results to a healthy body because the body uses healthy food that consumed by a person in different ways. When there is excess consumption of the healthy food, the body cannot use it and the excess is either stored in the body in the form of fat to produce energy, or is excreted in the form of waste (Chancellor 44). However, when the body is unable to convert the stored fat into energy through body exercises and a healthy diet, a person is exposed to health risks and increase in body weight. Eating healthy and consistent exercises enables the body to absorb the required nutrients it needs to operate appropriately, and also keep the body energized and moving.
Eating healthy diet helps a person to control weight. Many people consider overweight condition as embarrassing and unpleasant experience. The undesirable fat accumulates on the stomach, back and thighs making the person depressed and self-conscious. Therefore, this awkward experience can be mitigated by eating healthy diet every day. Eating healthy diet is an effective measure of maintaining the proper and desirable weight. When a person changes their diet form unhealthy diet to healthy one, they are able to reduce the unwanted weight and hence become healthy. Being healthy helps the individual to appear attractive and gain self-confidence.
Eating healthy is a process that also prevents disease and helps the individual to fight the diseases such as obesity. The American Diabetes Association found that there are other affiliates of type 2 diabetes, including kidney failure, blindness and heart disease. Therefore, to decrease the risk of contracting such diseases, healthy eating is required. For example, diet that has low sugar helps to reduce the risk of contracting type 2 diabetes (Glanz and Rebecca 56). Water and herbal tea are among the beverages that have low-fructose corn syrup, and they are not only refreshing but also lower the calories in the body. Salads, whole grains, steamed or raw vegetables are also recommended to help the body fight diseases. Fruit and vegetables are also suitable for protecting the body against certain types of cancers such as stomach, colon-rectum and mouth cancer. Foods that contain potassium are also necessary on maintaining a healthy blood pressure in the body.
Eating healthy also helps the individual to maintain healthy cholesterol in the body. For example, eating fresh vegetables and fruits helps to reduce the intake of the cholesterol in the body since they have zero cholesterol. High cholesterol in the body exposes the person to the risk of the heart conditions. This is as a result of contracting arteries that can lead to either heart attack or stroke. Eating vegetables for instance reduces the risk of getting the cardiovascular diseases (Glanz and Rebecca 46).
Healthy eating is also important because it helps the individual to have an active digestive system. For example, constipation can be avoided through eating healthy diet such as oatmeal and whole-white bread for fiber as part of the daily meal. Other foods that provide the body with fiber include fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, and kidney, as well (Chancellor 24). Therefore, eating healthy food helps the person to maintain a healthy digestive system that is not prone to conditions such as constipation.
The other benefit of eating healthy food includes making the individual lighter than before. An intake of a healthy diet helps the individual to lose weight hence be able to feel light on their feet. For instance, a person feels more comfortable after consuming grilled chicken salad and a glass of fruit juice, than consuming a large diet of fries.
Bad eating habits develop the culture of eating unhealthily to individuals. It is not advisable to eat a bag full of potato chips while watching Television all day. Most people follow the trends of eating whatever comes on their way developing unhealthy eating behaviors. After practicing the poor eating habits, it becomes difficult to abstain from them (Glanz and Rebecca 16). The victims of unhealthy eating should put measures to monitor the habit and this starts by identifying the unhealthy foods. People should be ready to avoid the known bad eating habits.
Eating unhealthy can be characterized by the habit of skipping breakfast. Scientists claim that the breakfast should not be skipped since it is the most important meal. In most instances, individuals skip it due to lack of time in the morning hours when they rush to the work areas (Hotze and Steven 54). When the breakfast is neglected, the energy of the body is drained and a person craves for snacks in the entire day. The habit of skipping breakfast interferes with the body’s metabolism and fewer calories are burnt. A person who intends to lose must avoid this habit and it is a good idea to take a bowl of oatmeal and fruits for breakfast.
Binging is the uptake of huge amounts of foods and needs to be avoided since it is unhealthy. It is wrong to skip meals and munch large quantities in the next meal with a purpose of compensating (Clayton, David, and Laura 83). The junks foods should be avoided at all costs since they lead to obesity and overweight. Eating unhealthy is also as a result of going beyond the point that you feel you are full and satisfied. The habitual bingers should train themselves to nurture a habit eating small amounts of foods to avoid binging.
Eating unhealthy increases the risks of diseases and illnesses since individuals with the habit are more exposed compared to the healthy people. The habit increases the likelihood of being infected by cancers, Type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, and obesity. These diseases continue to rise as people engages themselves in the poor eating habits (Hotze and Steven 54). Children who suffer from malnutrition have a weak immune system that accommodates diseases in their bodies. Lack of a balanced diet creates weak bones and increases the number of unproductivity days. The risks of diseases can be reduced through eating healthy foods that strengthen the body’s immune system. A healthy individual takes part in exercises that are helpful towards developing fitness of the body.
Many people believe that economic hardship and financial instability lead to the unhealthy eating habits. They claim that healthy foods cost more compared to unhealthy foods. A study conducted backed this claims by indicating that healthy foods cost more than $1.50 that of unhealthy diet. In a year, a person who takes unhealthy foods spends about $550 less compared to those who take healthy diets (Cordato 11). The high costs associated with healthy eating habits limits the individuals who lack the financial muscles to afford the foods. The low class people find themselves practicing unhealthy habits since they hardly afford the extra costs to cater for healthy eating.
Works Cited
Clayton, David J, and Laura Vanderkam. The Healthy Guide to Unhealthy Living: How to Survive Your Bad Habits. New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2006. Print.
Cordato, Roy E. Social Cost Taxes on Unhealthy Foods and Bullets: Abuse of Economics and Personal Freedom. Washington, D.C.: Institute for Research on the Economics of Taxation, 2002. Print.
Hotze, Steven F. Hormones, Health, and Happiness: A Natural Medical Formula for Rediscovering Youth. Houston, TX: Forrest Publishing, 2005. Print.
Chancellor, Deborah. Healthy Eating. St. Catharines, Ont: Crabtree Pub, 2010. Print.
Glanz, Karen, and Rebecca M. Mullis. "Environmental Interventions to Promote Healthy Eating: A Review of Models, Programs, and Evidence." Health Education & Behavior (1988): n. pag. Print.
