The Benefits of Healthy Eating - Why is Eating Healthy Important?

Our body needs energy to survive, and only by consuming food do we get the essential nutrients to fuel our system. The type of food and the quantity of food we eat does also affect us. So why is eating healthy important for us?  By learning the habits of eating healthy you will boost your immune system and prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and depression.  You will be able to balance your metabolism, and be able to maintain a healthy weight. You will simply notice that your memory improves and that you feel more stabilized in your mood. In other words, if you learn to implement healthy eating habits, you will get amazing results!

Healthy Eating Habits

By learning to plan ahead and expand your range of healthy foods, will make way in your new journey on healthy eating habits. First, there are som nutrition basics that are important for you to learn. You can always start by reading the dietary guidelines released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), or read up on the six esssential nutrients. Those are good starting points to learn the basics of healthy eating, which really means a balance of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fiber, proteins, fat and water.

Second, it is important that you are able to use this knowledge in a way that works for you. This is where different diet plans can help. There are many healthy eating diet plans available that focuses on your special needs whether it's medical needs, preferences, availability, or the fact that you may not want to spend as much time in the kitchen. FoodPyramid.com presents you with a variety of diet plans to choose from and guide you towards the perfect healthy eating plan for you.

Healthy Eating Tips

The USDA do have a simplified version of how to eat healthy. The plate model ”MyPlate” wants to simplify the healthy eating process. When you serve your meal on a plate, make sure that you include vegetables, fruits, grains, protein and dairy products. This plate should be a reminder for you to include all the nutritions that your body needs. It's very simple, and you don't have to think as much about calories when you apply the plate model. Instead you will notice the colors and the variety of food on your plate. Implementing this model when you eat will keep you on your toes reminding you to eat healthy by including a few fresh ingredients in every meal. If you want to stick with a new healthy eating habit, start slow by adding a salad to your diet everyday. Adding something healthy on your plate is easier than taking away your favorite foods, so begin by adding something healthy to your plate like a salad. When this becomes a routine, make sure to choose different colors on your vegetables and try to buy new sorts of vegetables. By varying your ingredients, you make sure that you get all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Other small steps can be to switch from butter to olive oil when cooking, and using more herbs instead of salt in your cooking. Rember that adding is always easier than excluding. When you have implemented a few healthy eating habits, you will soon notice that you want to remove some unhealthy choices that used to be your favorite foods. Your taste buds and body will change, and over time this will affect your cravings as well.

Eating Healthy Can Be Easy

Don't think of certain foods as ”off-limit”, instead start by reducing the portion size of the unhealthy foods that you crave and add something healthy on to your plate. Use smaller plates, drink more water, and start implementing the plate model MyPlate enforced by th U.S. Department of Agriculture. When eating out, it's a good idea to choose a starter like a delicious salad and then skip the supersized meal and order a normal sized meal instead. Healthy eating also means to eat slowly and make sure to chew your food properly for a better digestion. If you have a habit of eating in front of the TV or computer, it's easy that you overeat. Make time to eat and don't rush it and enjoy your food without distractions.

When you have someone over for dinner you probably talk with each other, which gives you time to chew your food properly and it also prevents you from overeat. Try to be present when you eat as it is a very healthy eating habit. Stop eating before you are full because it takes about 20 minutes for your body to send signals that you are full. Healthy eating also means to eat breakfast to jumpstart your metabolism, and eat smaller meals throughout the day to keep your energy level balanced.