The root cause of every disease, be it diabetes, PCOS, or any other lifestyle disease is us not treating ourselves better. We care enough to get work done on time, dress up for an evening engagement but we forget what really matters – nourishing the body through healthy eating.
Our body really loves us more than anyone else and hence, we need to do everything to love it back. Building a stable foundation for your health starts with knowing what is good for you, understanding what it means to have great health and a good life. We must unlearn what we know, most of us are fixated on manufactured food because it is easy but manufactured food is not real food, especially because these foods are high in calories and other unwanted substances that will negatively put your health at risk.
Here are a few ways to prioritize yourself and your health better:
Add wholesome food
These include organically grown food and they contain rich nutrients, minerals and are loaded with fibre and antioxidants. Consuming whole food can help reduce cholesterol levels and lower your risk of heart disease, they contribute to great health.
Avoid processed or manufactured food
Processed foods lead to many diseases. Consuming this on a daily basis puts you at an increased risk for many diseases and conditions including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke. They contain hydrogenated oils, which are known to clog the arteries, are high in sugar and calories.
Include protein and healthy fats
Protein and fats are the sources of macronutrients in the body, they provide energy so the organs in our body can absorb vitamins and minerals.
Healthy fats include:
- Avocados
- Cold-pressed oil such as coconut oil, olive oil, & sesame seed oil
- Nuts like almonds, walnuts, & macadamia nuts
- Seeds like sunflower, pumpkin, chia, sesame, flax, and hemp seeds
- Dairy products
All these products contain heart-healthy monounsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids that are beneficial to keep you healthy.
Healthy proteins include:
- Whole eggs
- Meat such as lean chicken meat (grass-fed)
- Seafood and fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, tuna, anchovies, mackerels
Some of these foods are also rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids and are also crucial for optimal immune function, heart health, brain health, and overall metabolic health. Protein essentially builds muscle, repair tissues, and help fight infections.
Include dietary supplements
We all lead a busy lifestyle and hence most of the time we deprive our organs of essential nutrients. Adding supplements can help assure that you get enough of the vital nutrients the body needs to function. Talk to your doctor before you begin taking any type of supplement, they can help you determine the right dietary supplement necessary for your body.
Pick up a hobby – do what you love
Doing the things that we love promotes happy endorphins in our bodies. You could choose to meditate in a location that makes you the happiest or you could try your hands in gardening, playing chess, or even travelling. When you do something for yourself it will only boost the happy hormones, which is splendid for your mind and soul.
Relearning the art of eating healthy doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to follow a diet, rather it is a simple shift – changing your habits. Our impulses to act are strong, we feel helpless looking at a gooey cheesy pizza or a glossy rum tart, we act on it by taking a bite and before we realize it, we packed a dozen takeaways and find ourselves binge eating at odd hours.
Our mind is attuned to an easy life, while our body yearns for good nutrition. So, shift your focus to what your body needs and when you do, you will start to notice healthier changes and a better you.
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