I used to be the type of person who ate anything, no matter how unhealthy, but oh how that has changed.

We're an unhealthy people, we proud Americans. Obesity, sickness and disease dominate the health landscape of people around our country.

And though we may not all be overweight or sick or disease-ridden, our perspectives surely are.

And although physical activity is crucial in this process—it seems a lot of these negative consequences come from our food.

We have gluttonous appetites, eating what we want, when we want, as much as we want—infrequently considering the consequences of our culinary choices.

This type of perspective is difficult to curtail sometimes. Food is so available. It's so prevalent, and—on the whole—it's tremendously unhealthy.

I used to be on a strict diet of 'eat whatever is in front of me.' It worked pretty well, as far as I knew. But even though I looked fit and felt fine—I could tell there were two major problems with my eating habits.

1) I had the sneaking suspicion that there was a bunch of 'useless food' in my diet. Food that I could tell did me no physical benefit, or that was supposed to, but was processed so much—that I could feel my body not truly benefiting from consuming it.

2) The flippancy that I dealt with food—like it was an accessory to my wardrobe instead of something necessary for life, to be appropriately cherished, appreciated—was unacceptable.

And then, I realized that there might be a third reason; one that consistently nagged at me, although I didn't have tangible proof that it was anything more than simply worth considering.

3) I sensed that an unchecked diet might lead to much of the health problems in most of my compatriots. In fact, though I don't know if his eating habits contributed to it, my father died years ago from heart disease. I love him still, but it's worth noting that he definitely wasn't nibbling on carrots out of the back garden or searing zucchini frittatas every day.

So, those two reasons and one assumption congealed into a desire to change my eating habits. And hence, I decided to turn crazy; to start eating 'healthy'. Some friends said I was turning into a hippie. But, since I was already walking around barefoot and frequently climbing trees, I didn't mind the misnomer.

Ergo, two and a half years ago, I started my quest to eat more 'naturally'.

More fruits. More vegetables. Grains and nuts were in there too. Less 'processed' foods (meaning: foods that have non-naturally occurring additives included during growth to provide stimulation, or following harvesting to add longevity—as well as foods that were chemically altered following their harvesting). Some meat, as well. And I tried to buy organic when it was on sale.

In a matter of months, a dozen of my co-workers and friends had asked me if I'd lost weight. It was to the point that I was getting frustrated, I was 5'6" and weighed just over 150 lb, which seemed just about right. But what's nutty is, as I looked back at old pictures, I had lost 5-10 lb—proportionately small amounts, from my face, stomach, arms and legs.

Intrigued, and content with how I felt, I delved more deeply into eating organic.

Over time, I felt better...and better...and better. An added benefit is that my palate has also changed to accommodate.. Healthier foods have become tastier and tastier, and now I find them downright delicious.

I can still scarf down an unhealthy meal if the mood strikes and I'm quite hungry, but nothing tastes better than eating a truly healthy meal. Nothing.

Not ice cream. Not fried things. Not anything.

This blows my mind. I used to wish everything tasted like ice cream. Now, though I'll occasionally eat some, it is a) not nearly as good as it used to be, and b) not even close to being as satisfying as certain dishes I've prepared with some combination of fruit, vegetables, some grains, and lean portions of meat.

And after all this, I'm more focused of mind, toned of body, and full of energy.

Eating is now an adventure, testing and trying new foods that I'd never given the time of day in the produce section of Publix or local farmer's markets, or finding exotic fruits and vegetables from Whole Foods or an international market.

I'm not only looking at how food would taste, but considering how it would make me feel as well: what kind of energy, strength, or taste might accompany any particular awkward looking fruit or vegetable.

And as a by-product, taking time to really consider what I eat has caused me to appreciate food more—being thankful for what I have. It also has elicited a general feeling of healthiness that has been thoroughly pleasant. And (if everything from Forks Over Knives and Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead is true) it may help my body stave off sickness and disease, as well.

So, it's safe to say that this experience has been positive in about every way.

And so, I would encourage you to consider the health benefits of eating thus—it could change your life. Or it could not, but I have benefited from doing so, and it has morphed my perspective on personal health into one that I think is more natural, and real.

And my body thanks me for it.