Nutrition Habits Holding You Back
By Sara Butler
Not everyone is a professional nutritionist and not everyone has the knowledge or foresight to prepare healthy meals and snacks each day. Don’t let nutrition, or the deciphering of all that nutritional information you’re given, overwhelm you. Instead, just understand a few of the basic nutritional dos and don’ts and you should be golden!
Don’t Skip Breakfast
You often hear that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and for good reason. If you truly want to master the key to good health, then you need to master the calories in versus calories out equation -- and breakfast is an important factor in that equation.
Missing out on breakfast means missing out on a golden opportunity to get some quality protein and fiber at the start of your day. It helps you stay full in order to get through your morning and make it to lunch. Plus, eating breakfast has been linked to a lower risk of breast cancer in women as well as a stronger immune system. It’ll help keep your mind sharp through the first part of the day and also help you to prevent overeating later. Have a breakfast with a balance of lean protein, dairy, healthy fats, and whole grains to start of your day right.
Don’t Drink Calories
If you want long-lasting energy that helps to boost your metabolism, you simply cannot drink your daily calories. Also, the act of chewing sends signals to your brain let it know you’re filling up. If you skip the chewing, then you may end up consuming more calories in the long run. Try to limit energy drinks, sweetened coffee drinks, soda, and fruit juice in your diet, go with water or unsweetened tea instead.
Do Eat Fruit
You may hear in some circles that fruit is full of sugar, which makes it bad for your health. That’s simply not true. The sugar in fruit is natural, not added, which means that it has phytonutrients and polyphenols that are really good for your health. It also has fiber to help you feel fuller for longer. So, just say yes to fruit.
Do Be Nice to Yourself
People can get into the habit of being overly critical to themselves, tanking their motivation and momentum to better health. Talk to yourself as you would talk to your best friend. Keep your goals and expectations realistic and make a list of all the positive things you’ve done to help you through some of the tough times.
Don't hold yourself back from good health and nutrition!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Los Angeles, Calif.