By Jose Axel
Last Updated Jul 28, 2023People generally choose to start eating healthy to lose weight. And following weight loss, they'll often want to make other improvements to their body. Particularly for women, losing a few kilos can result in some excess skin around the tummy. This is easily managed with a simple abdominoplasty. If you're thinking about changing your lifestyle and getting healthy, we've linked a video here that might help you achieve those physical goals too. But while the decision to change your eating habits is an easy one.
Sticking to it can be a significant challenge. One of the reasons is that people don't see visible results straight away. But just because you can't see good things happening doesn't mean they're not. The truth is that almost as soon as you start eating healthy, your body starts changing for the better. Weight fluctuates continuously for most of us, and some of us lose weight faster than others. For instance, as we age, the metabolism slows, which means losing weight can be even more frustrating as we head towards middle age.
Or perhaps you're losing fat but gaining muscle through exercise and so not seeing your hard work reflected in the scales. But if you're following a healthy diet, you're changing your health for the long term, and that includes preventing a range of chronic illnesses. And eventually, that weight loss will happen too. But if you're still not convinced, here's a list of some of the things that start to happen as soon as you choose to eat healthily.
As you choose healthier foods over carb-heavy, empty-calorie meals, your gut health begins to improve. Almost immediately, the good bacteria start to replace harmful bacteria in your digestive tract, reducing inflammation which is thought to impact brain function amongst other things positively. Also, you'll start to feel and look less bloated, and your digestive functions should be much better too.
And since the body is now working better and you're no longer consuming high sodium processed foods, you'll lose all that retained water and clothes may already feel a bit looser. Though if you're expecting to drop a couple of dress sizes, you may need to be just a little more patient.
Hormones begin to stabilize, which means improving brain health as soon as you switch to a healthy diet. This can often mean an improved general mood and a more positive outlook, which is one of the reasons that eating fresh foods and maintaining a regular exercise regimen are essential for mental health and wellbeing. Consuming a healthy diet means that your thought processes will become less foggy and in turn, ensures you'll be more productive in every aspect of your life.
If you want to boost focus and improve memory, make sure you include lots of omega-3's and leafy greens into your meal plan. And if you have a bit of a sweet tooth, you can enjoy a little dark chocolate without feeling guilty. Just make sure it's at least 70 percent cocoa.
You'll find you have reduced levels of appetite as soon as you eliminate junk foods from your life. High fat, high sugar convenience foods make us hungrier, faster. Meanwhile, the optimal healthy diet includes slow-burning energy foods like proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. This means fewer cravings, which, of course, helps with weight loss.
Complex carbs such as sweet potato are higher in fibre and will keep you feeling satiated as well as being suitable for the digestive system. And if the end game is to lose weight, avoid low-fat snacks and meals. Though these foods are low in calories, they're also nutrient-poor, which means it won't be long before you're reaching for another between-meal snack.
Energy levels increase almost as soon as you start eating a nutritious diet. And the metabolism will continue to improve the longer you stick to healthy eating. Vitamins and minerals help convert the food we eat into the energy we need, so they have a crucial part to play. But again, it's those complex carbohydrates, proteins and good fats that are the fuel we need to maintain those energy levels.
A healthy sleep pattern is crucial for our overall health. And you'll get a great night's rest and manage the day to day activities much better once you're eating better. A balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is key to sleeping well. And any weight loss you achieve means you're less likely to suffer from health issues such as sleep apnea or insomnia.
The body's largest organ, our skin, will improve in texture and tone plus you'll notice a healthy glow almost immediately when you start eating the right foods. And while consuming lots of nutrient-rich food is excellent for the skin, getting rid of all the refined sugars found in most convenience food and soft drink is crucial. Research suggests that even small amounts can cause inflammation, which in turn can lead to breakouts on the complexion. Plus, all those white carbohydrates like rice and bread can increase blood sugar which in turn can affect the skin. Cutting these foods from the menu means your skin will start to become more healthy straight away.
The choices we make about the food we eat each day affects our health & lifestyle for tomorrow and beyond. Proper nutrition is an integral part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Along with regular physical activity, a healthy diet will help you to reach and maintain a healthy weight. But it will do so much more; it reduces your risk of chronic diseases too. Meaning you're less likely to worry about things such as heart disease and cancer in the future. So when you think about the weight you'd like to lose, also consider that proper nutrition today means wellness into the future.
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