Making Healthy Changes
In order to maintain or enhance overall physical health, a healthy diet is an all-around diet which helps sustain or promote optimal health. A healthy diet supplies the body with vital nutrition: adequate food energy, macronutrient, minerals, and fluid-soluble nutrients. The basic requirements of healthy food are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and fibers. These nutrients are the building blocks of healthy food. A healthy diet supplies the body with the necessary energy required for normal day-to-day activities. It regulates carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism and improves overall digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Overweight and obesity, two of the most common health problems in the US, are associated with poor nutrition. An excess of body weight places increased pressure on cardiovascular and circulatory systems, resulting in increased risk for serious medical conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and certain types of cancer. Being overweight or obese predisposes individuals to developing a number of other health problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, sleep disorders, mental disorders, and Osteoporosis. Individuals who become overweight or obese are at greater risk of developing serious medical conditions and serious life threatening diseases such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, gallbladder disease, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and even death.
Many health problems may result from over weight gain. Some symptoms that may point to overweight or obesity include excess body fat, poor muscle tone and definition, decreased energy levels, poor eating and functioning, and loss of mental status and self-confidence. There are a number of medical conditions that can arise from being overweight. People who are overweight can develop high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol levels in their arteries and other organs. People who are obese can also be at greater risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease.
In addition to the potential negative health effects of being overweight, there are some positive effects as well. Being overweight can result in increased strength, improved vision, increased mobility, and increased health risks in the elderly. More people are becoming aware of the health benefits of making changes in their lifestyles and eating habits. Individuals who are considered overweight but are still trying to lose weight may benefit from trying to consume less fatty and processed foods, increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables, drink more water, and begin to take dietary supplements.
Most nutritionists recommend that individuals replace most of their solid fats, oil, and grain products with healthier alternatives such as fiber, seeds, fruits, vegetables, protein, unsaturated fats, and whole grains. Many nutritionists and physicians advise that individuals should avoid eating fried foods that contain trans fats, hydrogenated oils, salt, dairy products, and foods that are high in sodium. They also recommend increasing the daily intake of water and increasing the daily intake of fruits and vegetables.
Even though you may be trying to lose weight, you do not want to eliminate or reduce the amount of foods and beverages which are rich in calories. Instead, you want to find a balance between what you eat and how much you eat. Adding more fiber and low-fat beverages and limiting unhealthy fats and added sugars can help you get the weight you want to lose while staying healthy. This is the best way to make sure that you do not become obese or suffer from other serious health conditions.