Do you struggle sometimes with eating the wrong things ? Or just eating too much?

I did both this past week and suffered.

Mostly I indulged in "safe for me" chocolate. Chocolate and I have a love/hate relationship. I love it, but it doesn't love me back. It seems to set off cravings for other indulgences.

So when I was thinking about writing a post on the Top 5 Reasons for Healthy Eating, I got really convicted. You'll soon see why...

My first post on The Better Mom was the Top 5 Steps to a Healthier Diet. I tried to make it clear in that post that I don't eat perfectly all the time.

Because I don't.

Now, since my health issues really caught up with me a few years ago, I have been eating a lot cleaner and better than ever, but this struggle with food has been a life-long one.

For most of us women it is, right?

If you are like me and need a little motivation to eat healthy, here it is:

Top 5 Reasons to Eat Healthy

1. Obedience in one area makes it easier to obey in others

Saying "no" to that extra dessert or handful (or two) of chips strengthens your resolve to obey God in bigger, seemingly more crucial matters.

2. Save money on health costs now and down the road

When we eat foods as close to the way that God made them, our bodies function better -- both now and in later years.

You may think that you are getting away with eating a lot of junk food now, but most likely it will catch up with you later. Take it from someone who knows.

3. Save money on food

I know, we all think that eating healthy food costs more than eating junk. In one way it does, but eating healthy also means eating what you need and not more. On most days I eat more than I need. If I stick to what my body needs and don't overeat, I impact my food budget quite a bit. Easier said than done, but true.

You can find loads of tips for how to save money while eating healthy on my website, Whole New Mom.

For example, how about -- - Homemade Taco Seasoning - Easy Homemade Coconut Milk - Saving Time and Money Cooking Pasta

4. Save Time

Overeating takes time. And almost everything takes more time when I don't feel well after eating poorly or overeating. I also struggle more over clothing choices and fuss with my appearance more when I don't feel well or am not at my optimum weight.

5. Show love to God and your family

This last point really hits me hard.

A former pastor of ours once shared candidly about his struggle with food. His words have stuck with me ever since. He had struggled with overeating all of his life and said that regularly he would stand in front of the cupboard or fridge and war with himself and his sin.

And he'd sense God asking, "So -- what do you love more -- Me or the food?"

Ouch.

In my case, I also need to ask myself, what do I love more -- food, or my family?

When I either overeat or eat what I shouldn't, I tend to not feel well physically, or sleep well (which leads to all sorts of problems).

And I find it a lot more difficult to love my family when I feel bad.

Being a wife, a mom, and a follower of Christ is hard enough without more things dragging me down.

Help For Eating Healthy

So -- now that you are motivated to join me in the road to eating healthier (and loving God and our families more than our bellies), how about some healthy recipes to get you moving in the right direction?

Some of our family favorites include: