Believe it or not I get asked that question a lot.
Mostly by those fortunate souls who are naturally slim, at least in their younger years, and therefore fail to see the point of making any attempts at a healthy diet.
I appreciate that a major motivating factor of a healthy diet is a better-looking body and it is definitely a sign that you’re getting it right. However, many different diets and lifestyles can get you a low BMI but only a healthy one will give you the body you desire along with insatiable energy and abounding, consistent health. Why not have it all?
I am almost so overwhelmed by the benefits of eating and living clean that I don’t know how to begin answering the question posed in the title. However it’s vital to understand the answer. With advertisement after advertisement demanding that we possess a ‘bikini body’ it can be tempting to attain it at all costs. I want to highlight three main reasons why your diet is vitally important aside from your body composition.
Under the surface
To be considered healthy, your diet should meet the recommended daily doses of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin deficiencies are often the first direct result of poor diet choices and they come with their own serious side effects. For example, a lack of Vitamin A can cause night blindness, lowered immunity and poor eye health and Vitamin C deficiency can lead to gum disease and poor immunity. A balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and quality protein guarantees that you won’t suffer from any dietary deficits or their associated issues.
Digestion is also an important facet of health but a worrying amount of people live with digestive issues of ranging seriousness. As we age, our ability to digest our food worsens and our bodies are unable to absorb as much from the food that we ingest. This increases the likelihood of encountering digestive complaints such as bloating, wind and stomach pain. Taking steps to clean up your diet can reduce, if not completely eradicate, digestive issues both now and in the future.
Good nutrition is also essential for mental health although it is often overlooked. There are established links between poor diet and the development of depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease and ADHD to name a few. It is becoming increasingly evident that a healthy, balanced diet is a prerequisite of good mental health and outlook. In other words, it is essential to feeling and looking fantastic.
On the surface
We can’t ignore what’s on the surface and a good diet shows in more ways that on the scales. Diets rich in fruit and vegetables promote healthy skin, hair and teeth. Avoiding processed foods and getting the necessary vitamins and minerals helps to regulate your skin and hair cycles and slow the aging process. Put simply, you can’t hide your health.
Sleep is incredibly important to health and well-being and I don’t need to explain how unbearable a lack of it can be. We’re all aware that certain substances can affect your sleep like caffeine and alcohol but it has a greater impact than that. A nutritious diet that is dense in vitamins and minerals and satiates without an excess of calories can immensely improves sleep patterns. This makes it easier to fall asleep and wake up feeling rested and recovered. It also means you’re less likely to reach for those temporary energy boosts which can play havoc with your sleep. It’s a win-win.
Apart from getting enough sleep, does your diet give you the right amount of energy throughout the day? There is no reason why you shouldn’t have an abundant amount of energy and be fit for any task with no swings or dips. By switching your main energy source to fats you won’t be a slave to the carbohydrate rollercoaster with its highs and lows. Instead, you’ll feel fit and ready for anything.
In the future
Your body is your most valuable possession and you need to invest in it. You may be getting away with a poor diet right now but your health will eventually suffer and perhaps in a permanent and serious way. Often the effects of poor diet choices only present themselves when it’s too late to change them. Further to this as we age our metabolism slows down making it harder to maintain the same body fat composition and level of fitness. By starting and sticking to a health regime earlier in life you’ll make the inevitable transition into later life a lot easier on yourself.
An example that affects half of the population is the menopause. The menopause is caused by a fall in the amount of the hormone estrogen produced by the ovaries. The decline or absence of estrogen can mean changes to energy levels, memory, bone health, hormones, urinary and heart health. However, a healthy diet full of lean meats, fresh fruit and vegetables will ensure that your body is still getting the right nutrients and minerals that it needs to maintain these important processes. Furthermore, studies have proven that the sooner you implement these diet changes the smoother your transition into the menopause will be.
Another example is that of chronic inflammation which is associated with many conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neuron degenerative diseases, and other autoimmune diseases more commonly associated with older age. It is indisputable that chronic inflammation is a root cause of these diseases and that diet plays a big factor in the development of inflammation in the first place. Learning how specific foods influence the inflammatory process is the best strategy for containing it and reducing long-term disease risks.
In conclusion, being slim does not mean that you are healthy. You deserve to feel as amazing as you look and the key to that is good nutrition. Body composition is important but your food should fuel your lifestyle and lay down the groundwork for a healthy future.
If you want more information on how to make the necessary changes to your diet and lifestyle get in touch using the contact form.
Love,
Danielle