Why is it important to eat healthy? Our bodies cannot function well if they are not nourished properly, with foods that are good for us and by following the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recommendations. Getting the right nutrients into the body keeps diseases away, gives the body energy, and keeps skin, bones and organs healthy and running correctly. Important steps to eating healthy are taking in the right calories, eating a good variety of foods to stave of cravings for unhealthy eating, and making sure the body is getting all of the nutrients it needs, which sometimes includes taking supplements for added health benefits.
Calories
One step to eating healthy is taking in the right amount of calories. The foods we eat turn into fat in our bodies, which turns into energy. Calories equal energy. Without these calories humans would be sluggish, fat and would not be able to perform daily activities like working, walking or playing. Thus, eating healthy foods will build up enough calories, but not more than needed, to stay fit and well. The calorie needs of the human body very greatly. Children, men, women, elderly and athletes all need different amounts of calories in order to function properly. Athletes will need to take in more calories than anyone because they burn more calories as they are active more than others.
Variety
Variety is also a key to eating healthy. If a person eats the same things on a daily basis their taste buds will get pretty bored, and this may drive them to make poor choices in eating habits to wake those taste buds back up. Eating a variety of foods not only keeps the palate happy, but it also makes sure that the body is getting all of the nutrients it needs. Adding color to what we eat brings vitamins with it. Leafy greens help the body get the Vitamin A it needs, while orange colored vegetables can help with Vitamin K. It also helps to eat fresh fruits that have natural sugars in them and will fool the sweet tooth into thinking it had a treat. All of these vitamins and nutrients help the body to stay healthy and disease free.
Disease Fighting
Taking in the right foods, and not taking in the wrong foods, helps the human body to fight disease, which is why we should have a healthy diet in the first place. When fattening, fried and fast foods are cut out of the diet the chances of getting diseases like heart disease and high cholesterol are greatly lowered. Taking in the right amount of Vitamin D and calcium helps keep bones healthy and chase off osteoporosis and other bone harming illnesses. To avoid risks of stroke cut the intake of red meat, which is known to clog arteries, instead choose poultry and fish. Even cutting out sweets and adding in fruit for a snack reduces tooth decay. These are all healthy eating steps to a better person on the outside and on the inside.
Effects
It really is easy to eat healthy and the benefits are immediately noticeable. Choose foods low in fat, avoid fast food whenever possible, bake or steam instead of frying and snack on healthy alternatives instead of junk food. The benefits are weight loss, lowered risk of numerous illnesses, more energy and a happier mind.
Supplements
Although supplements sound like a good idea, they do not give you as good of nutrition as the real thing. Taking a tablet to get your Vitamin A is not as good for you as eating some leafy green vegetables. It does not give the body the calories it needs for proper functioning and energy and it does not give the body the nutrient in its purest form. Vitamin D, although, is a good supplement to take for anyone who does not get at least 15 minutes of sunshine a day, which is needed for the body to get this important Vitamin. Although supplements are not the answer to healthy eating, they can help keep the body healthy when the foods that are needed are unavailable, or if there is something the person can not eat, or as mentioned above they can not get out doors for sunlight and natural vitamin D.
