Why is a Healthy Diet Important?

A healthy diet will help ensure your body is getting the nutrition it needs, and will help you maintain a healthy weight. People who are overweight or obese are at an increased risk for certain health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and stroke.

Your weight is directly affected by your diet and physical activity, and the food you eat greatly affects your body and how blood flows through your heart and arteries. High fat and high cholesterol diets can cause a buildup of plaque in your arteries.

A blockage in a heart artery can cause a heart attack just as a blockage in your brain can cause a stroke. A healthy diet will help prevent buildup in your arteries and blood vessels and reduce your risk of acquiring weight-related health problems.