Most people these days understand that what they eat is important to their health. But actually following through and eating plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and low fat meat doesn’t always happen. The trouble is that it is easier to eat unhealthy junk food that can be delivered to the door, or at least doesn’t require cooking.

Part of the problem is that when you work hard all day, coming home to cook a meal is not something you want to do. However, with a little bit of effort you can be much healthier. Nutritious meals don’t have to take time and effort to prepare. Think of salads; a little bit of washing and cutting up and it’s on the plate ready to eat. And as long as you go easy on the coleslaw and potato salad, you’ll soon start losing weight without even trying.

The health benefits of a good diet are far-reaching. Many vegetables and fruit contain things that actively fight against disease in our bodies. Cancer and inflammatory diseases, heart problems and stroke and many other of the diseases we tend to take for granted as being part of life can be, if not eliminated, at least reduced significantly when we eat nutritious, healthy food.

Of course, there are many other reasons for people to fall ill, which is why healthy food alone can’t prevent all illness. Genetics, stress, smoking and contamination from things such as asbestos, dust and smoke in the air and other impurities all play a part in causing disease. But if you eat right, you have a much better chance of fighting off ill-health.

Here are some of the many benefits of a good diet

  • First and foremost, you’ll have better health overall, which includes fighting off colds and flu more quickly, not to mention being less likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and thus, heart disease
  • When you eat healthy, you have more energy
  • When you have more energy you can enjoy your life more with an active leisure time.
  • This means you are less likely to be overweight
  • You’ll feel good about yourself. A good self-image gives you more confidence in your work and in your relationships
  • A good diet improves your mood, necessary for getting on with other people and enjoying a social life.

If you don’t like cooking, choosing meals that only require a small amount of preparation time will eliminate slaving over a hot stove. Think in terms of salads, stir-fries, and even slow-cook meals where you can bundle all the ingredients in, then set and forget. Choose lots of vegetables and fruit, low-fat meat, some whole grains and low fat dairy and leave off the high sugar, high fat foods, except for the odd occasion.