Eating healthfully can come with some great benefits. Many people think of it as a chore that is just meant to make you healthier and perhaps lose some weight at the same time. That said, eating a balanced and nutritious diet can actually offer you far more than those two advantages, which are pretty awesome on their own.

The following are some of the fantastic things you can discover as you start eating a more healthful diet:

• You will suddenly have a lot more energy – Your slump in the middle of the afternoon will be a thing of the past and you’ll find it much easier to avoid fatigue.

• You will eat a lot more than you think – Eating healthfully means your foods will be more nutrient dense. This usually means you can eat far more of your food because they aren’t as high in calories. Therefore, you’ll have big meals and frequent snacks, too.

• You’ll lose weight without having to spend hours at the gym – Because eating a healthy, balanced diet will keep your calories under control, your body will naturally adjust its weight even if you don’t force yourself to do a ton of exercise.

• You’ll enjoy water – Whether you drink your water plain, with a bit of citrus floating in it, or with cucumber, you’ll find yourself looking forward to the refreshing and energizing feeling of drinking water. You’ll actually come to like the taste – or lack thereof – and how refreshed it makes you (and your wallet) feel.

• You’ll discover all new favorite foods – When you’re eating healthfully, you’re always trying new foods and recipes. This gives you the opportunity to find a whole string of new favorite ingredients and dishes to enjoy on a regular basis as well as on special occasions.

• You’ll find out how relaxing cooking can actually be – When you regularly buy groceries and cook at home, you’ll come to discover that preparing food has a certain meditative quality. It’s also far more soothing than waiting in the drive-thru lineup at the local fast food joint.

• You’ll find it easier to control your portions – Since healthy food is higher in fiber and nutrients than junk food, you’ll become a portion control wizard. Your food will naturally fill you up more easily, naturally keeping calories closer to where they should be.

• You’ll discover the wonder of the smoothie – They’re fast, filling, portable, can be made of virtually anything and you can even prepare them in advance. It’s like having a milkshake every day, only one you can be proud of drinking!