While processed foods are convenient, they also harm your health. In fact, following a diet based on real food may be one of the most important things you can do to maintain good health and a high quality of life.
Here are 10 reasons to eat real food:
1. Loaded with important nutrients
Unprocessed animal and plant foods provide the vitamins and minerals you need for optimal health. Most whole foods are good sources of vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients.
2. Low in sugar
Some research suggests that eating sugary foods can increase your risk of obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and heart disease. Generally speaking, real food is lower in sugar than many processed foods.
3. Heart healthy
Real food is packed with antioxidants and nutrients that support heart health, including magnesium and healthy fats.
4. Better for the environment
Developing sustainable agriculture based on real food may help improve the health of the planet by reducing energy needs and decreasing the amount of non-biodegradable waste that humans produce.
5. High in fiber
Fiber provides many health benefits, including boosting digestive function, metabolic health, and feelings of fullness. Foods like avocados, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and blackberries are particularly high in healthy fiber, alongside beans and legumes.
6. Helps control blood sugar
Eating a diet high in fibrous plants and unprocessed animal foods may help reduce blood sugar levels in people who have or are at risk for diabetes.
7. Good for your skin
Studies suggest that eating more vegetables, fish, beans, and olive oil may help reduce wrinkling, loss of elasticity, and other age-related skin changes.
8. Helps lower triglycerides
Because triglycerides tend to go up when you eat sugar and refined carbs, it’s best to minimize these foods or cut them out of your diet altogether. In addition, including unprocessed foods like fatty fish, lean meats, vegetables, and nuts has been shown to significantly reduce triglyceride levels.
9. Provides variety
It’s healthier to include diverse foods in your diet.
Hundreds of different real food options exist, including a wide variety of meat, fish, dairy, vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and seeds.
10. Cost less in the long run
Real food costs less in the long run because it’s more likely to keep you healthy, minimizing your medical costs.
Source: Healthyline.com