Nutrition Mistakes You Might Be Making
By Sara Butler
When it comes to nutrition, mistakes happen. After all, information seems to change so frequently it can be hard to keep up -- or you might keep up too much! There are a few behaviors that universally seem to hold many people back from eating a healthy diet. These choices and habits are something that a lot of people struggle with. Being aware of them is the first step to change, so here are a few nutrition mistakes you might be making.
Mistake No. 1: You Skip Breakfast
Sometimes life is hectic. You get up in the morning, get ready, get your family ready, and then run out the door. Where, exactly, does breakfast fit in? Or perhaps it's not a time management issue, but a calories issue -- as in, you figure skipping a meal will allow you to have more calories later in the day.
If you're only sipping coffee in the morning, then that's a mistake. You should be having a breakfast full of protein and fiber to help jolt your metabolism into action for the day and prevent you from overeating when you have lunch and dinner. Breakfast is simply something you shouldn't skip. Even a bowl of oatmeal will give your body what it needs to sustain.
Mistake No. 2: Drinking Calories
Eating calories is always a better bet than drinking them. That's because even simply the act of chewing impacts you psychologically, making you feel more satiated than sipping through a straw. Not to mention, if your body has to actually break down the food you eat, then it can help your metabolism to work harder and stay higher. You have teeth and small intestines, which are made to do this work. Use them!
Mistake No. 3: Dodging Fruit
There are some instances where dodging fruit is warranted, such as an allergy. But if you've got nothing hold you back, then you should make fruit a part of your everyday diet. The sugars in fruit are natural, plus fruit has fiber and phytonutrients that make them really good for you. Don't skip fruit.
Mistake No. 4: Getting in a Rut
It's easy to fall into a rut when it comes to your diet. Eating the same thing for breakfast, lunch, or dinner each day is something many people do. But if you're trying to meet certain health goals, such as a healthy weight, then getting stuck in a nutritional rut may not be the best thing to do.
Switch things up every once in a while and your body will thank you for it.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Pico Rivera, Calif.