Proper nutrition is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. A balanced diet is essential to keep your body functioning properly. It also helps you maintain a healthy weight and prevent disease.

Eating a healthy diet has been proven to reduce your risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. Americans consume large amounts of processed foods and high-sugar drinks, which provide little if any nutritional value and are often a substitute for the fruits and vegetables our bodies really need.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) and high cholesterol are two of the leading causes of heart disease. An excess of sodium can lead to high blood pressure, and consuming a lot of saturated fat and processed food can increase the cholesterol levels in your blood. Reducing highly processed foods and including more foods that are high in fiber and low in sugar can improve your chances of living a long and disease-free life.

OBESITY

Obesity is a condition characterized by an excess amount of body fat that, if left untreated, can lead to multiple chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, heart attack and stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis and many types cancer. It is estimated that more than one-third of U.S. adults are obese; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that is over 93 million Americans. Obesity is diagnosed by measuring your Body Mass Index (BMI). Obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or more.

Taking charge of your health by eating a balanced diet is something you can control. Focus on creating a sensible, achievable lifelong plan to improve your eating habits and incorporate physical activity wherever possible. At Esse Health, we have our own registered dietitians that can provide the information and support you need to make good eating decisions. We have registered dietitians who are available for one-on-one consultations. Our registered dietitians work closely with you and your Esse Health doctor to design nutrition plans if you are struggling with prediabetes, diabetes, obesity, food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome (IBD) and much more.