The ins and outs of balanced and good nutrition, plus why it’s so important that you have it.
Good nutrition isn’t as complicated as people seem to think. Balanced nutrition (in an omega-rich nutshell) is the process of incorporating all foods from the food pyramid into your diet. This means variety, flavour and a whole lot of health.
A balanced diet would include fresh fruits and vegetables, protein, dairy, carbohydrates and small doses of healthy fats.
Why do I need good nutrition?
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Healthy heart
You want to be around for as long as possible, right? Balanced nutrition keeps you safe from illnesses and diseases that would otherwise wreak havoc on a less healthy immune system.
A recent study showed that more than two-thirds of heart disease-related deaths worldwide can be linked to food and diet choices. The study estimated that “6 million deaths could have been avoided through better diets.”
A poor diet puts you at a much higher risk of heart attacks, heart disease, severe strokes and diabetes. In fact, a study in the US showed that diet was the leading element when it comes to reducing stroke risk. The 2019 study showed that risk could be reduced by 80% with healthy lifestyle choices, the most prevalent being diet.
Related: 5 Simply incredible ways to improve your heart health
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Healthy head
People are starting to realise that we have two minds we need to look after: our brain and our gut.
Your diet has so much more to do with your mental health than you probably know. Think about it, when you feel more anxious and depressed than usual, take a look at what your diet has been like for the past few weeks. You’ll probably identify a lot of processed food, food without proper macronutrients or no food at all (which will ultimately lead to malnutrition).
Your head and your stomach are closely connected, and what you put inside of one will either positively or negatively affect the other.
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Skin, hair and nails
Of course, a nutritious diet comes with its aesthetic perks.
As the saying goes, you are what you eat. What that saying means is that when you put good things in your body, you can tell. When you put bad things in your body, you can also tell.
Looks aren’t everything, but looking healthy can give you a huge confidence boost. Here’s how the body works: when you eat something, it decides where those vitamins need to be prioritised. If you don’t eat healthy food often, that food will be prioritised for essential body function and energy.
If you eat an abundance of nutritious food, your body will be able to transport these nutrients to parts of the body like hair, skin and nails.
Your skin is your largest organ, and looking after it on the outside isn’t enough. Your cells absorb everything you put in your body, and the results can be seen in your skin. Foods high in sugar and processed ingredients could lead to oil build-ups, dry skin and acne. Nutritious foods can provide a natural glow and clearer, younger-looking skin.
Read: The Top 5 Immune Boosting Vitamins to Add to Your Diet
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Child growth and development
As a parent, there is nothing more important than seeing your child grow.
Children and babies need adequate nutrients and vitamins to meet growth rates at the correct time. Their diet will also set up their immune system response and send the right nutrients to the right places.
We know how easy it is to fall off the bandwagon when it comes to giving your child whole and healthy food. These days, it’s so easy to grab a strip of sweets or chips off the shelf, and you know you have a snack on hand when things start to get tantrum-ish. But you need to think of the long-term effects of this short-term solution. Teaching healthy eating and good nutrition in children means you are enforcing healthy habits for when they are older.
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Weight management
One of the most well-known reasons for good nutrition and healthy eating is weight loss.
Maintaining your weight isn’t just a vanity thing – it’s a health and safety thing. Being overweight or underweight comes with a long list of health complications that can be avoided if you start making nutrition-based eating decisions.
If your diet is nutritious and balanced, there is no need to try out crazy fad diets or (our worst) quick-fix fat burning supplements.
Understanding and practising good nutrition and healthy eating gives you more power over your life, your health and your body. If you are fortunate enough to have healthy food at your fingertips, we would recommend you grab the opportunity with both hands.
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