• A diet rich in protein, whole grains and produce has important physical and psychological benefits.healthy meal image by koi88 from Fotolia.com
  
  In a fast-food nation filled with drive-through lunches and frozen-food dinners, many Americans eat too little of the right foods and too much of the wrong ones. Rising blood pressure and cholesterol levels, in addition to the increasing obesity rate in America, is attributed to poor nutrition and exercise. Following a healthy diet produces powerful physical and psychological benefits.
  
  

Weight

• A proper diet, along with physical exercise, is essential for weight loss or maintenance. Regardless of whether or not you are within your ideal weight range, eating healthy and making healthy choices result in a better lifestyle. Cutting down on foods high in sugar and fat and replacing them with whole grains, low-fat foods, fruits and vegetables can help achieve optimum weight. Confidence also increases when people make the conscious choice to eat better and healthier.
  
  

Complexion

• Proper nutrition can lead to a clear and radiant complexion. Unhealthy fats deteriorate the skin, whereas fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients and supply skin with vital nutrients. Vitamin A is an effective way to reduce the appearance of acne, wrinkles and other skin problems. Proteins help production of new skin cells and enhance the appearance of a healthy glow.
  
  

Energy

• A balanced and healthy diet provides renewed vitality. Having more energy means you can add more activities to an already-busy schedule without feeling tired and overwhelmed. Sugary foods create fluctuations in blood sugar levels and cause tired feelings shortly after consumption. Foods high in unhealthy fats are slower to digest, and thus are not a consistent energy source. A balanced diet also assists proper body and immune function, allowing you to rebound from illnesses more quickly and better respond to stressful situations.
  
  

Chronic Diseases

• A balanced diet can help postpone or prevent cardiovascular diseases in addition to diabetes, arthritis and some cancers. A direct link exists between unsaturated fats, cholesterol and heart disease. Although nutrition is only one component involved in determining who is affected by disease and at what stage of life onset occurs, an optimal diet can certainly improve your chances of staying healthy for longer.
  
  

Bone Strength

• Strong bones are necessary throughout life, but bone health tends to deteriorate with age. Milk and other dairy products contain calcium necessary to maintain bone health throughout life. Focusing on bone health helps avoid conditions such as osteoporosis and helps avoid fractures and broken bones. When possible, purchase organic dairy products and free-range eggs to avoid the high levels of hormones, antibiotics and other chemicals found in commercial dairy products.
  
  

Mental Health

• A balanced diet supports proper brain function and mental health. The human brain is a highly complex organ composed of essential fatty acids, complex carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and water, reports HappyJuicer.com. The body does not produce substances such as essential fatty acids internally, so proper food consumption is necessary to achieve balanced levels. The Mental Health Foundation suggests that a balanced diet can help prevent or treat mental health conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).