Importance of Healthy Eating and Exercise

Incorporating healthy eating and exercise into your lifestyle has many benefits. Healthy foods that are low in fat and calories help keep our weight within normal limits and regular exercise provides benefits for our cardiovascular system.

Identification

• Healthy eating consists of a variety of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and lean meats. A healthy diet should consist of a variety of these foods each day. Exercise should be performed on a regular basis, at least three times per week. Cardiovascular exercise such as brisk walking or swimming provide benefits for the heart and strength training keeps our muscles strong.

Benefits

• Healthy eating and regular exercise provides our bodies with more energy to perform daily tasks. Exercising and following a diet of healthy foods on a regular basis reduces body weight, improves our moods and promotes a healthy sleep cycle.

Prevention/Solution

• Chronic diseases are often prevented by adding a variety of healthy foods and exercise into our daily lives. According to the Mayo Clinic, a proper diet and exercise routine reduces the risk of developing diabetes, obesity, heart conditions and osteoporosis. Exercise also gives our High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol a healthy boost and decreases triglycerides.