Eating well offers a vast amount of benefits, not limited to simply nourishing our bodies. When we practice eating a healthy diet we can better concentrate, enjoy better sleep and notice higher levels of energy throughout the day. Eating healthy can be a social experience (pre- and hopefully soon, post-COVID19), and leads to better physical and mental health throughout the course of our lives.
Why else though, can a healthy diet have a large impact on our overall health? We’ve delved into five ways that eating healthy can positively impact your health. Read on for more:
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Improve your immune system.
Healthy eating is not just about eating the high-protein, low-carb fad diets or cutting out certain foods. Rather, the emphasis for a healthy diet centers around finding the right balance of foods that works for you. Wholesome nutrition, often heard in tandem with the term healthy diet, means that your body is getting all of the nutrients, vitamins and minerals that it needs to work properly. A healthy diet can help to activate or strengthen your immune system. A strong immune system makes it easier for your body to fight illnesses such as cold and flu.
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A healthy diet helps you enjoy better physical health.
A poor diet can reduce your physical health. It can lead to obesity or loss of ability to be active. Granted, sometimes it can be hard to know where to start if you are undertaking a journey to become healthier overall. Eating plenty of fruit, vegetables and essential fats is a start. By eating healthier you’ll be able to enjoy a more active lifestyle, resulting in better physical health and the potential to live a better quality of life.
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And mental health, too!
Similarly to physical health, mental health is equally as associated with a healthy diet. The main nutrients that our bodies use for energy are healthy fats, carbohydrates and protein. Water, and foods like fruit and vegetables that contain high quantities of it are also key agents in maintaining higher energy levels. Many people that eat a daily variety of fruits, vegetables and maintain a balanced diet report few to no mental health issues that are reoccurring. A balanced diet can aid in better moods, more energy and less fatigue.
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Eating healthy helps set the stage for better concentration and learning capabilities.
High-fiber foods are said to be fantastic for concentration. They keep blood sugar levels stable and they help to sustain a regular level of energy within the body. Around 20% off all energy is utilised by your brain. When we don’t have enough energy in our bodies to adequately supply our brains, this is where the feeling of fatigue, fogginess and weakness sets in. Adapting a holistic, balanced approach to eating is a great way to ensure that your body (and your brain) are getting the benefits and the nutrients they need.
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Less risk of developing chronic conditions.
We all know by now that our diet impacts our health, but it is important to remind ourselves the extent to which diet can trigger other lifestyle characteristics that may in turn impact our health. Maintaining a healthy diet can reduce risk of stroke, heart disease and diabetes, but perhaps the logistics are still a bit foggy. Certain nutrients affect different parts of the body, and eating in a balanced way can prevent many risk factors from occuring. Healthy eating can also improve your mood. A lighter mood means you’re more likely to be active, which can be a necessary component of disease prevention.
There is no denying that there are more benefits of a healthy diet. Here at the Hollies, we pride ourselves in offering a wide and varied menu every day, catering to the preferences and dietary requirements of our residents. Our food offering is one to be excited about. It’s delicious, nutritious, made on the premises and where possible we use fresh, local produce and herbs that we grow (with the help of our residents) on site.