WeedMD's Tips for Healthy Living. Tip #2: Nourish

"One cannot think, love, or sleep well if one has not dined well." - Virginia Woolf

Eating healthy can be challenging, but doing so doesn’t just make you look and feel better, it can also save you money when it comes to the cost of health care.  Research has shown that a healthy diet is one that includes plenty of lean meats, eggs, vegetables, fruit, whole grain and dairy products.  It also means avoiding or sparingly consuming foods that are high in added sugar, saturated fats and sodium; the types of things that are readily found in processed foods.

While it isn’t always easy to commit to ‘clean’ eating, the benefits are numerous.  Like a well-oiled machine, your body and brain need fuel in order to run efficiently.  Eating well helps to increase productivity.  In fact, a poor diet is one of the highest risk factors for low productivity.  A balanced diet can also help you cut down on your health insurance premiums, which are based in part on health factors.

Healthy eating can improve your mood and help to alleviate stress.  Foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fruits, whole grains and vegetables, and foods rich in omega-3 fats, such as nuts, salmon and other fatty fish can help you feel better overall.

According to a study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, a diet of fruit and vegetables, in combination with exercise, was associated with extended life expectancy for women in their 70s.  Making good choices, such as eating a healthy diet, doesn’t need to happen overnight. A few small steps in the right direction can help improve the quality and life expectancy, and may help to fatten your wallet too.