The body needs fuel in the form of food daily, but the wrong kind of fuel can lead to health problems. We know that a balanced diet consists of fruits, vegetables, low-fat or fat-free dairy, whole grains, protein and fats, as well as limited cholesterol, saturated fats, trans fats and sodium. When eating habits spiral out of control, it could cause serious health problems. For example, the things you eat can influence your risk of dying from heart disease, stroke, or type 2 diabetes.
Here are a few other ways your eating habits affect your overall health:
Physical/Mental Health
Healthy eating habits affect both mental and physical wellness. What you are putting into your body affects your immune system, bone health and athletic performance, as well as other functions. It plays a vital role in your mental health, too; healthy eating supports cognition, problem solving, memory, alertness, sleep and information processing. Good nutrition is also important for proper brain development and maintenance of normal cognitive function.
Disease Prevention
When combined with regular physical activity, a balanced diet can help prevent such conditions as cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes and obesity. Research shows that the three leading causes of death in the United States- coronary heart disease, some types of cancer and stroke- are directly linked with dietary habits. To help prevent such conditions as cardiovascular disease, you need to keep your blood cholesterol, blood pressure and weight under control. The good news is- all of this can be done through healthy eating and exercise!
Source of Macronutrients
While most foods contain more than one nutrient, no singular food provides all the nutrients your body needs, therefore it’s important to eat a variety of foods to make sure your diet is nutritionally balanced and your body is receiving all the nutrients it needs to function. The three macronutrients- carbohydrates, protein and fat- provide energy to your body (calories) among other important functions. Carbohydrates are the body’s main energy source, fats increase vitamin absorption and proteins are crucial for growth, maintenance and structural support of the muscle tissue.
Combination of Micronutrients
Along with macronutrients, your body also requires vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) to keep functioning properly. Some important micronutrients include vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K, iron, calcium, zinc, copper, iodine, manganese and cobalamin. These are important to our metabolism and enzyme function in cells.
Simple changes in your daily eating behaviors such as avoiding large serving sizes can result in healthier eating over time. Other ways to incorporate healthy eating habits include recording your eating habits throughout the day and shopping with nutrition in mind by reading food labels and focusing on fresh vs. processed foods.