Weight-loss is one of the major motivating factors that attracts people to the Habits of Health. Many of us have spent years frustrated with our weight, and we know that reaching a healthy weight will be good for our overall well being, but what we see in the mirror and how we feel after a flight of stairs may be what kickstarts a new journey.
But Habits of Healthy Fuelings have more rewards than a slimmer waistline. In fact, when we give our bodies the key nutrition they need, we see a range of benefits that include improved mood, better mental cognition, and more energy overall.
That’s a powerful direction to move in, but if you’re not fueling your body with healthy foods, you are heading in this direction:
- Eating fast food and processed food may increase your risk of depression.
- Eating foods filled with sodium, like many fast foods, can increase your risk of headaches.
- Carbs, not grease, can trigger acne.
- Elevated cholesterol and increased blood pressure from a poor diet can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Unhealthy foods can lead to frequent insulin spikes, which can lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
- The carbs and sugar in unhealthy foods produce acids that can destroy tooth enamel, leading to cavities.
Think of what you gain by reversing these trends and these risks. In this shortlist — and there are more rewards than we have space for here — we see powerful impacts on how we feel, how we look, and our ability to unlock a thriving and potentially longer life.
Reaching a healthy weight will always be important for your health, but when you know how much you gain from each healthy choice that goes beyond the number you see on the scale, you can start to see just how much power you really have. Every bite of food is a step toward better life, and that tastes pretty good to me.