Unbalanced diet: when the feeding is inadequate
We always tend to talk about the importance for our health of following a diet as varied and balanced as possible. For example, since a few years ago and since that famous information campaign we have recorded the importance of eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
But the truth is that today there are still many people who do not take care of their diet and follow an unbalanced diet, with the obvious risks that this entails for health.
It has been shown that those who follow an unbalanced diet also tend to maintain unhealthy and unhealthy habits of life. For example, they do not practice physical exercise regularly and tend to be rather sedentary. As a consequence, as we will know throughout this note, they increase dangerously in weight (and also the risk of suffering diseases and related pathologies).
What can we understand by unbalanced diet?
It is clear that, before talking about unbalanced diet, we must explain what a balanced diet is, and above all, what is meant by it.
Basically a balanced diet is one that contains sufficient amounts of essential nutrients and calories, which are essential for the development and optimal growth of the individual at each stage of their life. In addition, this diet should prevent nutritional deficiencies or excesses.
Therefore, for a balanced diet we must obtain the necessary nutrients for the good maintenance of our health, thus adapting to our individual needs according to age, sex, physical activity and lifestyle.
In other words, it should be a food diet that provides carbohydrates, proteins and fats in adequate proportions, in addition to vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other compounds and recommended substances.
Therefore, when our diet does not comply with these basic principles we find that the food we are following is unbalanced. Further, If the diet is unbalanced it is usual that it is also unhealthy, as the statistics show.
This is basic, since it is evident that those who do not care because their diet is balanced will not tend to deal with consuming those foods that are actually beneficial for their health. The most common, in fact, is that choose high-calorie, unhealthy foods rich in sugars and fats.
The health risks of following an inadequate diet
Overweight and obesity
Following an unbalanced diet results in following a diet that is really bad, negative for health. Thus, one of its consequences is more than visible -and evident-: the increase in weight as a result of consuming unhealthy and highly caloric foods.
This weight gain tends to cause an excessive amount of fat in our body, so that it accumulates, which has serious consequences on our health. For example, excess weight not treated over time can influence our levels of fats in the blood, in addition to increasing the risk of serious diseases, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Increased risk of diabetes
As we mentioned briefly in the previous lines, obesity favors in turn the appearance of multiple health disorders, such as cardiovascular diseases or diabetes.
In the particular case of diabetes, it appears when our blood glucose levels are above what is considered normal, which can occur due to a low production of insulin or to have resistance to it, or because the pancreas it does not produce it in sufficient quantity or because the cells do not respond normally to it (both causes can occur).
If we take into account that those who maintain an unbalanced diet usually follow an unhealthy diet based on high-calorie foods, weight gain tends to influence the risk of suffering from diabetes in the near future.
The risk of suffering from type 2 diabetes is greater, a disease that is associated precisely with the feeling of unhealthy lifestyle habits, overweight or obesity, and sedentary lifestyle.
Other cardiovascular diseases
In addition to diabetes, unbalanced diets especially rich in cholesterol, saturated fat and sugar tend to have a tremendous negative influence on our cardiovascular health.
This consequence is even greater when food is equally low in fruits, vegetables, and other foods rich in fiber. What influences an increased risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), since it is common for cholesterol and triglycerides to be high.
Increased risk of anemia
It is usual to neglect our consumption of nutritious foods, rich in nutrients and fundamental for the proper functioning of our body.For example, it has been shown that those who follow an unbalanced diet tend to have more problems with iron, since their diet is usually low in this essential mineral.
This can cause anemia, which translates into chronic fatigue and nausea, fatigue, weakness and muscle and joint pain. This article is published for informational purposes only. You can not and should not replace the consultation with a Nutritionist. We advise you to consult your trusted Nutritionist.
