We’ve all heard a healthy and balanced diet is important. But why is it so important exactly? Simply because most people can’t get away with exercising and expect to live a healthy lifestyle. According to the Center of Disease Control, 36.5% of adult Americans are obese. That is more than 1/3 of our population. In this article we will discuss why a healthy diet is important and some of the risks associated with improper nutrition intake.

The Importance of a Healthy Diet

Food is one of the main sources of energy for your body. The nutrition in the food you eat helps supply your body with the necessary protein, essential fats, vitamins, and minerals to function properly. When your body is missing the proper nutrition, and ratios of these MACRONUTRIENTS, your overall health is affected and you put yourself at a higher risk for many serious illnesses and deficiencies. The most common macronutrients are:

• Protein
• Fats
• Carbohydrates

Protein

Protein, being the building block for muscle, is essential to a healthy diet. Since every cell in your body contains proteins, your body needs a certain amount of it to function optimally. This is of even greater importance if you live an active lifestyle.

Fats

Essential fats allow for a much healthier cardiovascular system when consumed adequately. These can come in many lengths, called “chains,” a common example of these are MCT’s or medium chain triglycerides. They may also be utilized as an energy source for your body when needed.

Carbohydrates

Carbs, carbs, carbs. These tend to get the most negative outlook from the general public. Take a few seconds to think of a weight loss diet, and there’s a very good chance that diet will suggest a low carb intake. The truth is, with a proper diet, carbs can be an invaluable source of energy for an athletic lifestyle.

The Risks of Improper Nutrition

Many serious health risks are associated with an improper diet. Out of these risks, Heart disease remains one of the most common causes of death today and is possibly one of the easiest to prevent with proper nutrition. Eating a healthy diet can combat and reduce your risk of many health issues including:

• Obesity
• Heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Stroke
• Osteoporosis
• Other health concerns

How To Achieve A Healthy Diet

The biggest key for achieving a healthier lifestyle is to understand what your current fitness goals are and learning how to balance your macronutrients to assist you. The most common mistakes I see as a certified nutrition coach, is a lack of understanding of both the Benefits as well as Drawbacks of these macros, and knowing how to set up a correct diet plan to help you reach that goal. If you need additional assistance in designing a custom meal plan to achieve your goals contact me today.