Be mindful about what you eat
Along time ago I made the decision to begin my fitness journey. A few years went by and I was not noticing any difference. Yes, I was getting stronger and faster but my body was not really changing all that much. It was not until I started to be mindful about my eating that I started to notice a difference in the way I felt and looked.
Most of us DO know what healthy eating is all about: less fried food, less sugar and more fruits and vegetables. When it comes to having good nutrition, however, too many of us don’t know the full details of the benefits of good nutrition and how to go about achieving it.
Nutrition is an essential aspect of a healthy lifestyle and the importance of getting it right cannot be overstated — let’s start by going into the benefits of having a nutritious diet.
Eat when you are hungry there is no reason to over fill yourself and add extra calories that are not needed. Plate and portion sizes have changed over the years, and they have gotten bigger and so have our stomachs. We need to relearn to portion control our meals better.
Why is it important
The goal for following good nutrition is to fuel our body and our minds. Think about the last time you had junk food. Think about how tasted. I bet it was delicious, now think about how you felt afterwards. If you are anything like me you were hungry again later even though you may not want to eat. After some time that wonderful feeling disappears and we feel depressed, lethargic and, tired. We never pay attention to what it does to our minds.
Eating the right foods can make you feel happier — nutrients such as iron and omega-3 fatty acids found in protein-rich food can boost your mood. This contributes to better overall mental well-being and protects you against mental health issues.
Good nutrition can help:
Reduce the risk of some diseases.
Reduce high blood pressure
Lower high cholesterol
Improve your well-being
Improve your ability to fight off illness
Improve your ability to recover from illness or injury
Increase your energy level
How is mental health affected by food?
Western dietary habits, which include heavily processed foods, large quantities of refined grains and soft drinks, and little to no fresh produce, increase the risk of depression and provide fewer physical and mental health benefits.
Your brain requires a constant supply of fuel. That “fuel” comes from the foods you consume. What you eat directly affects the structure and function of your brain and, ultimately, your mood.
Your brain functions best when it gets only premium fuel. Eating high-quality foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants nourishes the brain and protects it from oxidative stress.
Your brain can be damaged if you do not eat food with the proper nutrients. Diets high in refined sugars, for example, are harmful to the brain. In addition to worsening your body’s regulation of insulin, they also promote inflammation and oxidative stress. Multiple studies have found a correlation between a diet high in refined sugars and impaired brain function — and even a worsening of symptoms of mood disorders, such as depression.
Source https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-psychiatry-your-brain-on-food-201511168626
Looking Ahead
Be mindful about what you eat and always remember it is not how you look but how you feel that is important. I know this is easier said than done but you have to believe in yourself. So that you can live a happy and healthy life. The kind of life that you deserve.
I hope that this article has inspired you to be your best self. If you found this to be insightful, please make sure to share it with a friend. Always consult a physician before beginning a fitness journey.