Healthy food is defined as food that provides a balanced quantity of nutrients essential for sustaining life. A healthy diet supplies the body with necessary nutrients: macronutrients, fluids, minerals, and enough food energy. The food provides all the necessary substances to keep the human body in good working condition. And just as important is the importance of having healthy snacks. Healthy food is usually prepared by blending wholesome food ingredients, fruits, vegetables and whole grain products.
Unfortunately, some people are not getting enough nutrients in their diets, and they are developing illnesses and diseases because of it. One problem that develops with consuming unhealthy food is the fat content of the product. Over-fat is bad for the health; however, there are certain unhealthy fats that may be even more harmful. There are two categories: bad fat and good fat.
It is true that whole foods are better than their processed substitutes because they provide the right balance of nutrients in the right amounts. However, the bad fats found in junk food and fried foods are even more dangerous to your health than the bad fat found in some fresh vegetables and fruits. Processed foods that have a high fat content are easy to digest, but your body does not know the difference between healthy food and unhealthy food until you experience difficulties digesting them.
The reason why healthy eating is important is that unhealthy food leads to chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, osteoporosis, obesity, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Healthy eating reduces chronic diseases and improves the quality of your life. It is impossible to prevent the development of chronic diseases; however, you can control it by eating a healthy and balanced diet. On the other hand, junk food leads to obesity and contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Junk food contains empty calories, which are energy-yielding substances that do not contribute to your overall nutrition or physical strength. It is because of this reason that people who frequently eat junk food are more likely to develop obesity, high blood pressure, and increased cholesterol levels.
According to experts, junk food items usually contain mostly empty calories and they make you feel hungry for more calories. A calorie is composed of energy which is available to the body only after it uses up all its nutrients. In contrast, a calorie is neither empty nor full as it has both nutritional value and calories. A calorie can therefore be compared to an “empty” container.
The problem with many processed and junk foods lies in the lack of nutritional value and the excessive consumption of calories. Processed foods that contain high levels of sodium have been linked to hypertension and increased levels of salt in the blood. The American Heart Association recommends that people should eat at least six servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day and add protein to that. According to the same association, people over the age of 20 should eat at least 35 percent of their total calories from fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Those who eat little or no protein lose muscle mass and become weak and become prone to diseases such as cancer and heart disease. On the other hand, those who consume a lot of protein also burn a lot of fat, thereby preventing obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Vegetables and whole grains provide a variety of dietary fibers and vitamins. They are low in calories and yet high in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Some of the most nutritious vegetables include beans, carrots, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, peas, corn, wheat, oatmeal, and brown rice. Foods rich in carbohydrates include bread, potatoes, and rice. Whole grains such as oats, corns, and whole-wheat berries have a high nutritional value as well.
Eating healthy does not necessarily mean choosing unhealthy foods. Rather, it means eating a diet consisting of a variety of nutrient-rich foods. Eating healthy can also help you prevent certain diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. It can also prevent weight gain. In fact, healthy diets result in weight loss. The only exception to this rule is that those who are extremely obese should avoid gaining weight by eating only the necessary nutrients and avoiding fatty foods.