Importance of Healthy Eating

Why Eat healthy?
•Provides vitamins, minerals and nutrition your body needs
•It keeps your muscles and immune system strong
•Can help teens to grow and develop and maintain a healthy weight
•Supplies body with the needed amount of energy all day
-Using a food pyramid as a guideline can help you make healthy decisions!

As you can see, meat makes up only a small part of the pyramid, therefore it can be easily replaced by beans or other healthy forms of protein to maintain a healthy diet.

Our bodies repair and rebuild themselves by taking energy and nutrients from the foods we eat. The food choices we make can even effect our emotions and out thoughts! When we make good food choices, our overall health levels are affected.

Here are some main reasons to eat healthy:

1. Energy
Our bodies have more access to energy when the foods we eat are easier to digest. When our diets are healthy, the more energy we have. Sugar and caffeine only give our bodies temporary boosts of energy, because soon they crave more. Eating the right foods can give you energy that will last long, and be good for your body too!

2. Diseases
The condition of our immune systems depends on the foods we eat as well. If the food you are consuming doesn't provide enough nutrients, your body will take it from its reserves. This would cause vital vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to be diminished, leaving our bodies more vulnerable to disease and infection.
*read more on the risk factors of an unhealthy diet here

3. Appearance and Feelings
When we eat unhealthy foods, the digestion process is strained. This could cause our bodies to feel uncomfortable (ex. tiredness, lightheadedness, etc.) Also, skin, hair, nails, etc are affected by our eating habits. In order to keep these healthy, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fatty acids are required. Making good food choices can help keep every aspect of our bodies healthy, including our weight.
*read more on what foods you can eat to have healthier hair here

Sources
http://www.thelifeco.com/cok-okunanlar.aspx?id=478
http://www.vegsoc.org/news/2000/21cv/pyramid.jpg
http://watchmojo.com/blogs/images/calories.jpg