National Nutrition Week 2023: Importance Of Healthy Eating In A Fast-Paced World

A healthy diet can improve physical and mental health, increase energy levels, and decrease the risk of chronic diseases. 

Know The Importance Of Healthy Eating

In today's fast-paced world, it can be challenging to maintain a healthy diet. With so many convenient and processed food options available, it's easy to fall into unhealthy eating habits. However, the importance of healthy eating cannot be overstated. A healthy diet can improve physical and mental health, increase energy levels, and decrease the risk of chronic diseases, whereas an unhealthy diet can have a number of negative impacts on the body.

Negative Impacts Of Unhealthy Diet:

In this regard, Dietician Umang Malhotra said, "Firstly, it can increase the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease which can significantly impact our quality of life and even shorten our lifespan. Secondly, an unhealthy diet can lead to reduced energy levels and decreased productivity. Finally, most dishes offered by the fast-food chains, are very high in calories and trans fats."

"All of this increase fat storage and put you at risk for the various diseases mentioned above. Examples include type 2 diabetes due to irregular blood sugar levels, heart disease due to high cholesterol, and colon cancer due to failure to properly dispose of waste. It can also lead to weight gain and obesity. Studies have shown that a diet high in processed and sugary foods can increase the risk of depression and anxiety," he further added.

Benefits Of Healthy Eating:

Talking about the benefits of healthy eating, he said, "Firstly, it can improve physical health and decrease the risk of chronic diseases. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can provide our bodies with the necessary nutrients to function optimally. Secondly, healthy eating can increase energy levels and productivity. Finally, it can improve mental health and cognitive function. Studies have shown that a diet rich in whole foods can decrease the risk of depression and anxiety and improve cognitive function."

While eating healthy in a fast-paced world can be challenging, there are some strategies that can help.

Strategies That Help Healthy Eating In The Fast Paced World:

Fatigue from a demanding workday can leave us craving relaxation on the couch, rather than time spent cooking. This desire clashes with the need to prepare a nutritious meal. This is when the allure of ordering takeout becomes real, especially when time is scarce.

However, a solution lies in foresight, as Benjamin Franklin once wisely stated, "Failing to plan is planning to fail." Advanced planning is not synonymous with hours spent scouring the internet for complex health recipes. Rather, it's a matter of applying the same forethought we use in other aspects of life.

Dr. Leena Martin who is a Chief Dietitian at Holy Family Hospital Bandra Mumbai said, "The likelihood of cooking increases substantially when the ingredients are already at hand. Maintaining a stock of healthy convenience foods that require minimal preparation can be a game-changer. Crafting meal plans in advance and archiving them for reuse is a strategic approach. A little weekend prep, accompanied by your favorite tunes, can streamline the process, as preparation often consumes more time than the actual cooking."

Healthy Eating Habits That One Can Inculcate:

In this regrad, RD Rizwana Sayyed who is a Registered Dietician, PGD Dietetics, PGD Nutrition & Food Technology at Apollo Clinic, Viman Nagar laid down some healthy eating habits that one should include in the diet.

• Have an easy breakfast: Skipping breakfast can slow down your metabolism. If time is short, grab a banana, few nuts, dry fruits & hard-boiled eggs. Eating a home cooked wholegrain cereal is preferred over a packaged multigrain cereal.
• Stock up on healthy food choices: Replace potato chips, cookies and packaged foods with fresh fruits, vegetables, dry fruits, nuts, seeds, yoghurt & cottage cheese. If you don’t have access to unhealthy food, it will be impossible to eat them.
• Prepare food ahead of time: Spend some time preparing food on the weekend to eat during the week. For example, marinate some chicken, hard boil a couple of eggs, chop some mixed vegetables & store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
• Pack healthy snacks: Substitute the cookies, donuts & muffins in your lunch box with healthier alternatives from home such as nuts, dry fruit, wholegrain cereals, fresh fruits, salads, etc.
• Check nutrition facts: Read nutritional information on products. Convenience foods are often high in fat, sodium, sugars and low in important vitamins & minerals.