500+ Words Essay on Healthy Food
Food and health are both integral parts of our lives. To live a life without any hindrances, one must stay healthy. And if you want to stay healthy, you need to consume the right kind of food. They say “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. This phrase helps us understand the importance of healthy food. Healthy food contains the right amount of nutrients that are essential for our body. We need it to keep ourselves fit.
Every parent must teach their children to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy food. A nutritious diet is important for their growth. It helps them gain focus through which they can excel in studies and extracurricular activities. Encouraging them to eat fresh fruits and vegetables is a good practice. After all, a healthy lifestyle brings joy into our lives.
Moreover, healthy food can be delicious contrary to the traditional way of thinking. People like to eat food that tastes good. Today’s world is filled with junk food options. Naturally, we are inclined towards eating these. However, over time, this junk food builds up in our bodies and takes a toll. Inculcating good eating habits is very important, and we must never neglect that.
Negative Impacts of Junk Food
The advertisements we see related to burgers, pizzas, fried chicken, soft drinks, and chips spoil our daily routine. They lead us to the consumption of unhealthy food choices. These foods primarily fall into the category of junk food (or fast food). Junk food contains excessive amounts of salt, sugar, and fats. This category of food must be strictly avoided as they have a lot of negative impact on our well-being.
Though junk food is harmful to our health, they seem to satisfy our taste buds. The fast-food industry is constantly growing. Now that we have food delivery apps, we have started consuming junk food all the more. People prefer it because it is readily made available to them. The satisfaction we get after eating these foods clouds our judgement. And we ignore the grave consequences.
According to survey reports, the rate of obesity in children is rapidly increasing (all over the world). In 2010, it has increased from 4 to 18 percent in children (among the age groups of six to eleven). Bad eating habit is one of the major contributors to this alarming rise. Overweight children get drawn towards eating more junk food. And they are most likely to become more obese when they grow up.
Consumption of junk food causes health troubles. Obese people have a greater chance of suffering from ailments like heart diseases, breathing problems, hypertension, stroke, cancer, etc. Junk food also causes digestive issues as it cannot provide us with fibers (they help digestion).
It increases the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides present in our body. Junk food is also the prime reason for the irregularity in blood sugar levels (causes diabetes).
Benefits of Eating Healthy Food
There are numerous benefits of healthy food. Here we have mentioned a few of them.
Healthy food promotes physical health. It keeps us active and energetic throughout the day. It also impacts our mental health. Healthy food provides us with nutrients that are crucial for the proper functioning of the brain. Healthy fruits and vegetables are rich in protein, vitamins, carbohydrates, and fibers. They boost our immune system and protect us from chronic diseases.
Green leafy vegetables are packed with minerals that build up our core strength. Healthy food controls unnecessary weight gain (it fights obesity). It shapes our body and makes our skin glow. Our mood brightens up when we have a delicious healthy meal. Moreover, healthy food saves money. Home prepared meals are cheaper than junk food options.
Components of Healthy Food
We have so many different options for healthy food. In breakfast, one can have oatmeal paired with fruits (Banana, apple, orange, and strawberries go best with it). Natural juices (made from citrus fruits) go well with your breakfast. This helps tame your sweet-tooth. Moreover, they hydrate our bodies. When our body is hydrated, our metabolism rate increases. This promotes weight loss.
Nuts and berries are superfoods that we must eat. Lean meals are always better. Your dinner can consist of whole-grain pasta, soup, rice, or meat of your choice. Incorporating fish into our diet serves us well. It is filled with Omega- fatty acids which are vital for our body. Eating seafood twice a week avoids stressful conditions. Drinking a cup of milk with honey helps before you go to bed is always beneficial. It helps you sleep better.
Rules for Eating Healthy
Some of the rules which we must follow for eating healthy food include:
- We must eat only when we are hungry. Consistently eating food even when your body does not need it, promotes weight gain. This is an unhealthy cycle that needs to be avoided.
- Natural and organically grown products provide better nourishment. It is best for our diet.
- Do not indulge in eating fast food. Instead of going for processed foods, go for whole-grain options.
- Water is essential for your body. Drink 8-10 glasses of water every day. Drinking water half an hour before or after your meal is ideal. This allows the body to absorb nutrients better.
- Try to have your last meal 3-4 hours before your sleep time.
- Frequent consumption of alcohol harms your health. Avoid drinking every week.
- Your diet must always be well-balanced. Avoid eating one type of food for too long.
- Categorise your meals into breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Do not skip your meals.
- Eat moderately. Overeating is never a good thing.
- Avoid eating and watching TV together. You tend to eat more if you do that.
Conclusion
We are aware of the age-old proverb Health is Wealth. No one wants to live a life full of suffering and pain. Healthy food is vital for achieving good health. To sum it all up, a healthy mind comes from a healthy body. We are what we eat. And we must be wise enough to make good choices.
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