Why Is Healthy Eating Important?

Healthy eating is important because it helps to reduce the risk of getting disease and supplies the body with nutrients and energy for effective functioning. Combining good nutrition with physical activity can help a person maintain a healthy weight. There are also those times when a person is required to follow a certain diet plan strictly, for example, during weight loss and prescription periods.

The type and amount of food a person eats has a major impact on his or her body. There are several details that are involved in eating healthy including moderation, variety and balance, according to WebMD. A person should try to balance different nutrients and foods, such as grains, vegetables, protein foods and dairy products. Eating a variety of foods from each food group helps a person get all the important nutrients. Practicing moderation is also an important tip for eating healthily. A person should not eat too little or too much of particular foods.

Every function executed in the human body relies on the supply of electrolytes, carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, fats and vitamins to perform properly, notes Annigan. Antioxidants found in many fruits and vegetables are responsible for neutralizing the body against free radicals that might cause cellular damage and lead to cancer. An unbalanced nutritional profile can create vitamin and mineral disproportions in the body and lead a person to suffer with bone loss, cancer or cardiovascular disease.

Healthy eating helps to prevents conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and some types of cancer, as stated by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. Carbohydrates provide the body with energy while proteins help in repairing body tissues. Therefore, making healthy eating a habit will go a long way in ensuring the health of an individual.