Data regarding the dietary habits of American adults suggest that those who follow healthy, low-fat and low-carb diets have a lower death risk. These facts account for tens of thousands of adults in the United States. Do you fall into this category? How is your diet contributing to your life and your overall risk of death?
Let’s take a closer look at the facts to determine if your diet is contributing to your health, or contributing to your demise.
The Role That Diet Plays Into Your Overall Health
According to Dr. Shilel Shan, from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, MA, diet plays a significant role in one’s health. A suboptimal diet is estimated to be the first leading cause of death and a third leading cause of disabilities.
Dr. Shan and his team of investigators analyzed whether or not there were any associations between diet and mortality. They also pursued their research on finding out if different types of low-fat and low-carb diets are associated with different types of mortality.
Americans with healthy eating habits have a lower chance of developing chronic health problems, especially diet-related diseases. Unfortunately, the typical American diet is heavy in refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, and highly processed foods.
This diet, in combination with sedentary lifestyles, high-stress, and larger portion sizes is blamed for the obesity epidemic and associated diseases in the U.S.
According to the Center for Disease Control, over 30% of the U.S. population is obese. Poor diets also account for the development of chronic diseases, such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Gall bladder disease
- Sleep apnea
- Cancer
- Respiratory problems
- Osteoarthritis
- And more
Foods That Contribute To Poor Health
It’s fairly easy to confuse which foods are healthy and which aren’t. With all of the diet fads out there that claim to be healthy when they really aren’t, it’s important to remember that the facts.
There are certain foods that you want to avoid or only eat in moderation if you want to avoid developing a diet-related disease or disability. Unhealthy foods that can contribute to poor health may include:
- Sugary drinks (soda or fruit juices)
- Pizza or pasta
- White bread
- Highly sweetened breakfast cereals
- Fried or battered foods
- Desserts (cakes, pastries, cookies, etc.)
- Potato chips
- French fries
- Processed meats and cheeses
The bottom line is that eating a large majority of foods that are high in saturated fats, carbohydrates, hydrogenated oils, and sugar will ultimately result in poor health, which, in turn, can result in increased death risk.
Changing Your Diet Can Contribute Positively To Your Health
Most, if not all, of the diet fads circulating around the media, have suggested that low-fat diets lead to a healthy lifestyle. However, the emerging scientific consensus has shown that eating a specific amount of the right kind of fats contributes to a healthy lifestyle and the prevention of chronic diseases.
Beneficial fats that contain omega fatty acids, like fish, are quite healthy. Other foods that contribute to a healthy diet include:
- Raw nuts (almonds, brazil nuts, etc.)
- Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Lean proteins (fish, meat, eggs, etc.)
All in all, there have been countless studies published proving that a well-balanced diet can help you to maintain a healthy weight, boost your energy levels, strengthen your immune system, and contribute to disease prevention. By making certain changes to your diet, you can live a longer, healthier, and more fulfilled life.
Changing your diet to meet the criteria listed above, as well as exercising regularly can truly work wonders for your overall health. You will find that your mood has vastly improved, along with your stamina, attitude, performance, focus, and so much more.
