With a new year around the corner, weight-loss and getting-back-in-shape goals are going around faster than the common cold, as they should be. After all, a new year allows people to turn the page and start fresh with updated goals, resolutions, and perspectives.
However, we encourage people to incorporate proper nutrition on a daily basis, not just a new year’s burst. Beyond perhaps helping with weight loss, proper nutrition can simply improve a person’s daily quality of life. While this article is not intended to cover what you should eat and not eat (everyone is different, and everyone should therefore eat different foods), we hope it encourages people to incorporate better nutrition so they can live more healthy and fulfilling lives.
Here are just some of the ways a healthy diet can benefit you.
Your energy levels will get a boost
A good diet will give your energy levels a boost. Not only does a nutrient-rich diet give you more energy for the gym; it can also give you a boost during everyday activities, such as work and chores.
Your weight will be balanced and healthy
We’re not saying you can never have a cheat meal again; however, by closely monitoring what you eat, you can achieve a more balanced and healthy weight.
You might reach your New Year’s goals/resolutions by dieting and sticking to a plan for a couple of months, but incorporating a long-term healthy lifestyle is how you’re going to keep the pounds off and continue to receive the benefits from a balanced and healthy weight.
It can boost your immune system
When it comes to our immune systems, according to Harvard Health Publishing, “Your first line of defense is to choose a healthy lifestyle. Following general good-health guidelines is the single best step you can take toward naturally keeping your immune system strong and healthy. Every part of your body, including your immune system, functions better when protected from environmental assaults and bolstered by healthy-living strategies.”
Disease prevention
Good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle can help with disease prevention.
As The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services points out, “Unhealthy eating habits have contributed to the obesity epidemic in the United States: about one-third of U.S. adults (33.8%) are obese and approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese.1 Even for people at a healthy weight, a poor diet is associated with major health risks that can cause illness and even death. These include heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain types of cancer. By making smart food choices, you can help protect yourself from these health problems.”
As an example of a healthy addition to your diet, fermented cod liver oil can help with brain development, as well as lower blood pressure. It’s just one of the many supplements that can go into a healthy diet and make a big difference.
Good nutrition is an all-around confidence booster
On top of all of the above benefits, good nutrition can be an all-around confidence booster because you have the peace of mind that you’re putting the right things in your body and are healthy. Not to mention, combining a healthy diet with an exercise plan can increase your cardiovascular health and help you to get in better shape.