Healthy Eating Habits

There are two categories of individuals on the planet: those who "eat to live" and those who "live to eat." The option of type classifies individuals as having a healthy or ill lifestyle and leads them to either negative or positive consequences, which are the result of their choices.

Does 'healthy eating habits' have a significant impact on our lives?

Let's examine the significance of food, the advantages and disadvantages of healthy and harmful eating habits, respectively, in order to comprehend the topic of concern that affects everyone.

Why does human being require to eat food?

The human body requires energy to perform all of its fundamental functions, including breathing, digesting food, maintaining body temperature, aiding in body restoration, promoting growth, and maintaining a healthy immune system. The energy substances are already present in a diversity of foods as nutrients. A calorie is the fundamental unit of energy derived from sustenance. In other terms, you could say that calorie is a fuel that is stored and burned by our body based on our needs or habits.

Disadvantages of unhealthy eating habits

• Adopting hazardous behaviors, such as consuming junk food on a regular basis, increases the risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and certain malignancies.
• The inability to work and the gradual development of fatigue and tension, which contribute to the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, dental decay, and other maladies, can be hampered by a poor diet.
• Processed or packaged foods that are frozen or canned contain a great deal of added sugar, sodium, oil, calories, and preservatives that extend the expiration life of the food, but increase the risk of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, etc.

Advantages of healthy eating habits

• By following healthy eating habits, The first advantage you can see is lowering the risk of heart diseases.
• It will help you to boost your mood and reduce the stress levels, and also will help you to perform all daily physical activities well.
• Food with good nutrition combined with physical activity will help you to lead a healthy weight and lifestyle and reduces the risk of chronic diseases like cancer.
• Diets rich in fibre such as vegetables and fruits may reduce the risk of obesity, health problems and type 2 diabetes.
• Healthy eating habits, overall, helps you gain the benefit of weight loss, stroke prevention, building better mood, efficiency, and better memory.

So by this time, you understood the importance of healthy eating habits type of food intake and the disadvantages of unhealthy food habits. Sometimes even unconsciously you follow such unhealthy habits under certain circumstances.

Environment or conditions that foster unhealthy eating habits, you need to avoid

• In a corporate culture or during such meetings, no one pays attention to or is aware of the categories of low-fibre calorie and unhealthy fat foods they consume. People tend to disregard the quantity of food they consume even during social events or parties.
• The majority of people who work late at night develop the habit of nocturnal munching, or eating late at night to stay alert. This propensity significantly contributes to weight gain.
• Working mothers frequently send their children to school with unhealthy snacks such as potato chips, bread or sandwiches, cookies, and fruit beverages available in tetra packs.
• People or children who labor continuously on computers, watch television, or play video games frequently engage in aimless snacking or consume more food, which results in rapid weight gain.
• People who are constantly in a hurry are accustomed to eating breakfast, lunch, and supper in less than 10 or 15 minutes. This habit prevents your brain from receiving the signal that you are replete, resulting in incremental weight gain.
• Extreme emotions, whether positive or negative, and stressful conditions cause people to consume more and acquire weight unconsciously over time.

Steps to healthy eating habits

• Using online calorie calculators, you must first determine how many calories your body needs to execute fundamental metabolic functions and daily physical activities.
• You must comprehend the variety of food and the number of calories per gram it contains.
• It would be beneficial if you also focused on portion control and selecting nutrient-rich foods, which are of paramount significance. Your diet should include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins. You must choose your portion carefully and only according to your body's essential needs.
• Incorporate more fruits, low-fat dairy products, raw vegetables, and whole-grain foods into your diet.
• Develop the practice of eating homemade meals at home and at work.
• You will end up overeating or selecting an unhealthy refreshment if you neglect or delay your meals.
• Take a small plate and serving to start, and digest your food thoroughly; this will help you consume the proper amount of food your body needs.
• Consume water instead of sugary beverages.
• Resin- or fiber-rich foods will help you feel full and attain satiety, allowing you to consume fewer calories and eat less.

Also read: 5 Benefits of Healthy Eating

These are the few points or steps you can follow to plan a balanced diet; however, if you are still uncertain about the calculations and pattern of developing a healthy eating habit, you should consult a qualified dietician. If you are truly obese and have failed to follow healthy practices or stop weight gain with associated health problems, you should consult an obesity expert.