Most of the things you do in your life are for the benefit of other people. You have a job to support and provide for your family. You walk your dog so Spot can get some exercise and experience life outside of your house. You even recycle your plastic water bottles to help save the planet for future generations. As a matter of fact, unless you’re pregnant, one of the only things you do 100% strictly for yourself is eat.
Now, you know that you should eat healthy. You also know that Quarter Pounder with Cheese gets you salivating just thinking about it. Which means you’ve got some negotiating to do with yourself on what you should chow down on. And as with all negotiations, what it all really comes down to is this…
What’s in it for me?
For starters, eating healthier helps you lose weight. Diets with high-fiber foods (nuts, beans, whole grains, fruits and vegetables) offer you a lot of nutrients without a lot of calories. The fewer calories you consume, the less opportunity your body has to store them as fat. Plus, plant-based foods help you feel fuller longer.
Another benefit of eating healthier is the extra energy it can give you. Healthy meals and snacks can add some much-needed zip to your zing. Mixing complex carbs and lean proteins is a great way to add energy without a lot of sugar or caffeine.
Believe it or not, your diet can have a direct impact on your cognitive functions. That’s right. A healthier diet can improve your mental health. Foods rich in B vitamins and Omega-3 fatty acids help improve memory and learning while reducing the risk of dementia and schizophrenia.
Need an attitude adjustment? Eat a spinach salad with salmon. The Omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium improve your mood by reducing and limiting the production of the stress hormone cortisol. Less cortisol makes it easier for you to recover from stressful events.
A healthier diet also improves your smile. High-fiber foods require a lot of chewing and all that chomping gets your mouth watering. Your saliva is filled with anti-microbials that kill or stop the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath, plaque and gum disease.
In addition to everything mentioned, eating a healthier diet means you live a healthier life. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of nutrients, vitamins, fiber, complex carbs, lean proteins and Omega-3 fatty acids will improve your overall health. This means you’ll have less chance of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, sleep apnea, obesity, cancer, osteoporosis, dementia, etc…
Choosing a healthy diet is always better than eating a bunch of junk food. And you owe it to yourself to make the right choices for a long and healthy life.
To find out more about the benefits of healthy eating, call us for an appointment.
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