Your weight may influence how you feel about yourself and your body image in general. But it is not the only reason why you need to start your weight loss journey. For obese people, losing weight can positively affect their health and reduce the risk for many diseases. You could shed some extra weight with a combination of exercise and a healthy diet.
Let's talk about some significant health benefits of losing weight with diet.
Improved Heart Health
Certain foods can influence your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglycerides, all of which are risk factors for heart diseases. Here are some diet suggestions to promote healthy heart health.
- Leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale are full of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals.
- Berries are rich in antioxidants that protect against the oxidative stress that contributes to the development of heart disease.
- You can consume avocados as they are an excellent source of monounsaturated fats.
Reduced Risk of Cancer
Eating a healthy diet overall can reduce your risk of cancer. Here are some unhealthy habits that may increase your risk of developing cancer.
- Increased consumption of alcohol
- Being consistent with an unhealthy diet
- Heavy consumption of processed and red meat
- Fried starchy foods high in acrylamide
Reduce Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Obesity and unhealthy eating habits contribute to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Here's how eating healthy can help manage your diabetes.
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Help manage blood glucose levels
- It helps maintain normal blood pressure
- A healthy diet helps achieve target lipids levels
- It helps prevents the development of diabetes complications
You can follow the tips mentioned above for managing diabetes, but there are more options like gastric surgery for a more permanent solution to reduce weight. You can decide on roux en y gastric bypass vs sleeve gastrectomy for long-term weight loss results.
Healthy Skin and Hair
Nutrient-rich diet can help promote healthy hair and lustrous skin. Make sure to eat antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables to get a glowing skin complexion. Other nutrients essential for radiant skin include vitamin C, beta carotene, zinc, and selenium.
Protein and biotin nutrients promote healthy hair growth, and you can find them in eggs. Berries are another great food option that is rich in antioxidants. They help protect hair follicles against damage from harmful radicals.
Aid in Digestion
Fiber-rich foods play an essential role in the digestion mechanism as it helps move foods quickly through your system. Foods rich in fiber includes fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Here are some more diet suggestions to help improve digestion.
What to Eat
- Drink plenty of water as it adds bulk to stool
- Add dried ginger powder in your meals to help reduce bloating
- Unsaturated fats promote healthy bowel movements
- Leafy green vegetables have nutrients that aid in digestion
What to Avoid
- Artificial sweeteners increase the risk of bloating
- Increased consumption of spicy foods
- Carbonated beverages and sweetened drinks
- Eating too fast can help slow down digestion and lead to other problems
- Drinking more caffeine can also hamper digestion
