Top 5 Reasons to Eat Healthy

1. When you eat the right foods, you'll enjoy a day filled with energy instead of the constant highs and lows that sugar gives you. Healthy foods are typically high in fiber and complex carbohydrates. Unlike sugar, these compounds are digested slowly and will give you a constant energy release. You won't get the sugar highs and lows and your body will be able to better utilize the calories you give it. That means a lower body fat percentage.

2. Eating correctly will make you feel better. Constantly eating foods that are high in fat and sugar such as candy and fast food can leave you with an upset stomach, headaches and other gastrointestinal disturbances (think Pepto-Bismol commercial).

3. Everyone's favorite reason to eat healthy is to look great. Avoiding excessive calories and fattening foods will help you eliminate body fat and increase muscle mass. Foods such as fruit, vegetables, lean cuts of meat and whole wheat bread can taste great and help you get that body you have always wanted.

4. Eating healthy helps you avoid diseases such as cardiovascular disease, strokes and diabetes. Saturated and trans fat has been shown to be detrimental to your cholesterol profile and continuously eating foods high in sugar will put an enormous stress on your pancreas which can lead to type 2 diabetes (formally known as adult onset diabetes).

5. The most obvious reasons to eat healthy is because you will be healthy. Eating healthy will mean less visits to the doctor, less sick days and cheaper health care bills. With health insurance a problem for a growing number of people, doing what you can without having to visit a doctor or take expensive medications should be at the top of your list.

Now that you know the whys of eating healthy, visit the Nutrition Guide and the Beginner's Guide to Dieting to learn the hows of eating healthy. You can also read how other people got their diet in order or share your own tips at the diet forums.

Health Poll of the Week: Sometimes, those who are looking to lose weight skip breakfast in hopes of cutting calories. Do you eat or skip breakfast? Vote now. Remember, there's no need to register to vote and if you share your opinion, you could win an Amazon gift card.