The Fitness Center

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The Benefits of a Healthy Diet...

Discussion Point:

A healthy life involves many factors -- from injury prevention to proper rest and exercise. Nutrition and healthy diet is another building block for healthy living. And a healthy diet means more than "quick fix" diets that focus on just one element. People on low fat diets, for example may be ignoring other factors necessary for sensible weight reduction (see quote below).

Likewise, a healthy diet has many benefits in addition to helping with weight control.

Benefits of a Healthy Diet:

 
• Mental well being, reduced stress or depression
• Energy for activity (which further leads to fitness)
• Alertness and greater mental capacity
• Heart health: Cholesterol and blood pressure within limits
• Reduced risk of cancer, diabetes and other diseases

Dr. James Hill, of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, on the low fat diet: "The idea that you can eat whatever you want as long as you don’t eat fat is totally wrong. There’s solid evidence that the composition of the diet is important, but it’s not just an issue of fat; total calories count too. So, yes, eat low fat. But don’t forget (to watch your) calories."