The diet industry is a multi-billion-dollar business that targets people looking to be healthier. The truth is fad diets are the furthest thing from healthy! The best thing you can do for your body both inside and out is to maintain a consistently healthy lifestyle, not just a temporary diet. Let’s learn a little more about what healthy eating means and how it can benefit you in the long term.
AFC Urgent Care Stoneham is here to provide you with all the health resources you need. Speak with one of our providers today about more nutrition information and visit us for urgent care needs.
What Does it Mean to Eat Healthily?
Eating healthy loosely means eating in a way that provides your body and brain with the nutrients it needs to thrive. When you eat healthily, you’ll notice the difference in the way that you feel! Healthy eating looks different for everyone. You don’t have to eat plates of foods that you don’t like, you just have to find foods that you do like that are healthy for you.
How to Eat Healthily
Since there’s not just one way to eat healthily, there’s no simple how-to guide. There are some generalized tips, though! Focus on incorporating whole foods into your diet whenever you can. Whole foods are natural, unprocessed foods without added fat or sugar. Try to get a good amount of healthy fat, protein, and healthy carbohydrates each day. You should feel good physically and mentally with your healthy eating plan. If you find yourself constantly hungry or in a mental fog, you’re likely undereating or not eating enough nutrient-rich foods.
You can use apps to determine how much food you should be consuming each day and what percentage should be protein, fat, and carbs. If you’re making a change from a very unhealthy lifestyle to a healthy one, tracking everything you eat and drink for a week before you start to make changes is an eye-opening experience! Begin making changes based on what you found. Remember to focus on how much better your body will feel and function when you eat healthier rather than on an arbitrary weight loss goal.
Benefits of Healthy Eating
The benefits of healthy eating vary depending on your age. For children, the benefits include:
- Healthy growth and development
- Healthier skin, teeth, and nails
- Stronger immune system
- Stronger skeletal system
- Better digestion
For adults, the benefits of healthy eating include all of the same benefits as children and a lowered risk for certain diseases, and a longer life expectancy. Cancer, diabetes, and heart disease risks can all be reduced through a healthy diet. You’re also less likely to be overweight or obese if you maintain a healthy diet. Maintaining a healthy weight lowers your risk for heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and a variety of other health conditions.
Contact AFC Urgent Care Stoneham today if you need professional help transforming your eating habits into a healthier lifestyle!
