For most of us, eating healthy is a constant struggle. Our busy schedules lend themselves to fast food and heavily-processed delicacies from the local supermarket. Sure, we know this is not good for us and may even lead to serious health complications in the future. But we just don’t have the time, discipline, or means to follow healthy, organic diets.

Aside from the fact that poor diet and lack of exercise is leading to rising cases of obesity and heart disease, this type of lifestyle also promotes accelerated aging of our skin and organs. One of my favorite TV shows is the Biggest Loser. On a recent episode, the trainers told the contestants how old their internal bodies were in comparison to their biological age. For some, their bodies had aged 20 years past their actual age simply because they did not eat well or exercise regularly. This is the cold, hard truth about diet: poor choices can significantly deteriorate your health and cause premature aging.

The culprits for poor eating habits are often the foods of convenience. Many of the prepackaged, already prepared foods you find at the grocery store have been heavily processed to allow for a longer shelf life. Now, when we are talking about processed foods, it is important to note that processing food really only means preparing it in such a way that it is fit for human consumption. Therefore, even baking can be considered processing. Here, we are looking at foods that are processed using chemicals, preservatives, and additives that make them unhealthy.

At best, these methods of processing and packaging food decrease the nutritional value. At worst, bad processing methods can negatively impact our health and increase free radicals in our bodies. Those free radicals, in turn, damage bodily tissues and cells, aging our skin and organs.

To maintain a healthy diet and protect against signs of aging, look for foods that are baked rather than deep fried. Also, avoid products with excessive amounts of artificial sweetener or those that boast of super long shelf lives. The more natural and less processed your diet, the healthier you will be.

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