How a Simple Diet Change Can Boost Your Whole-Body Health

Many people diet because they want to lose weight and look good. In fact, Time notes that 49 percent of people are trying to lose weight at any given time. While paying attention to your diet is a great way to accomplish this, the benefits of eating healthy don’t stop at weight loss. Watching what you eat can improve your mental and physical health on several levels since nutrition plays a key role in various body systems.

Pasta Gluten Free by Pasta Loioco wants you to be happy and healthy. To that end, here are some fantastic ways that changing your diet can boost your whole-body wellness.

Improved Confidence and Self-Esteem

It’s no secret that body image is closely tied to self-esteem. It’s difficult to feel confident when you have negative thoughts about your appearance. While you should appreciate the body you have right now, caring for yourself with a healthy diet is a wonderful way to practice self-love. Plus, eating healthy can help you lose unwanted weight, make your skin glow, and even strengthen your hair!

If your goal is weight loss, it’s important to pay attention to how much you’re eating, even if you're sticking to healthy, whole foods. For example, avocados and nuts have amazing health benefits, but they’re extremely high in calories. The key is moderation. Track how much you’re really eating by weighing your food and measuring your portion sizes.

Eased Stress, Anxiety and Depression

Another wonderful mental benefit of eating healthy is a greater sense of general well-being. According to the Harvard Medical School, studies have shown that healthy diets — such as the Mediterranean diet — are associated with lower depression rates.

Foods that cause inflammation are often the worst for our mood since inflammation has been linked to both anxiety and depression. Junk foods can actually contribute to stress, though they create an initial, temporary feeling of stress relief when eaten. Instead, focus your diet on nutrient-dense vegetables and healthy fats to help reduce inflammation in the body and maintain good mental health.

Keep some healthful treats handy, too, like hard boiled eggs and roasted chickpeas. That way, when a craving comes along or you're having a tough day, you’ll be less inclined to make an unhealthy choice.

Stronger Muscles

On a more physical level, healthy fats, carbs, and protein support faster muscle growth. High-quality protein has the amino acids that our muscles use as building blocks. Unfortunately, plant-based proteins do not contain the rich variety of amino acids found in meat. Vegans and vegetarians should diversify their plant protein sources to get all the amino acids their muscles need. Complex carbohydrates and healthy fats are also important. These calorie sources will provide your body with consistent energy to fuel your workouts and stave off that debilitating afternoon crash.

Higher Quality Sleep

When you start eating better, you may notice that you’re sleeping better as well. Eating too much sugar and saturated fat can prevent you from falling asleep and disturb your slumber during the night. On the other hand, a balanced diet high in fiber may help you fall asleep faster. Eating better and losing weight can also alleviate problems with insomnia, sleep apnea, and heartburn, all of which interfere with sleep quality.

It’s clear the benefits of eating healthy stretch far beyond weight loss. Cleaning up your diet can increase your happiness and productivity while reducing fatigue and brain fog. When you make a diet change, pay attention to all the great ways you feel better inside and out — this will keep you motivated to stick with it for the long haul!

Connect with Pasta Gluten Free for products, recipes and more information that can help you enjoy a healthy and flavorful life!

Writer / Author Gabriel Patel