There is so much focus in society on dieting in order to lose weight, supported by an overwhelming pressure to achieve an impossibly ‘perfect’ figure thanks to social media, that we have lost sight of other reasons why we need to be careful what we eat. The notion of ‘self-care’ is another current viral trend which has a good message at its heart but is also going in some questionable directions. Diet and exercise can be forms of self-care, however only if you are doing it for the right reasons. Your focus should be on fitness and psychological wellbeing rather than losing weight; a healthy body weight is a natural result of a healthy diet, not the main aim. So, what is a healthy diet?
Good Foods
In order to keep our brains functioning to the best of their abilities and our minds clear and happy, we need to have a steady intake of slow release energy foods. Examples of this are pasta, rice, oats and wholegrain bread and cereal. It is also crucial to stay hydrated and it is recommended that we have 6-8 glasses of liquid per day. An AquaOx water filtration system can help you to make sure that the water you’re drinking is safe. To maintain a healthy, fully functioning digestive system, fibre is needed, and this can be found in fruit, vegetables, wholegrain products, pulses, and yoghurt. Making sure you eat smaller portions regularly rather than fewer large meals can also help your gut to keep up.
Important nutrients are found in fruit and vegetables, so you need plenty of these every day. One easy way to make sure you’re getting a good variety of these is to try to eat a range of different coloured fruit and vegetables, as each colour tends to represent a different nutrient. Protein is another crucial element of any diet when it comes to wellbeing as it helps to aid recovery processes both physically and mentally, such as the regulation of emotions. Protein can be found in white meat, fish, eggs, pulses, nuts and seeds. And finally, try to eat organic food where possible as it is always a good idea to avoid man-made ingredients.
Bad Foods
Despite the fact that cups of tea and coffee count towards your daily liquid intake, they need to be consumed in moderation as caffeine is not a healthy ingredient. As much as it can help your ability to wake up and focus in the short term, consuming too much can lead to feelings of anxiety and heart problems. Caffeine can also be found in sugary drinks. Sugary drinks should be avoided at all costs as they will give you a quick sugar rush but also a quick blood sugar level drop, leaving you feeling lethargic with difficulty concentrating. The same goes for any high-sugar foods such as sweets and biscuits. Red meats, despite containing protein, also contain a lot of fat so overall, they are not beneficial to your health.
Try to avoid trans-fats and partially hydrogenated oils as they are particularly bad for you, they can be found in a lot of processed foods. Getting can help you to keep track of the kinds of foods you eat most often, which can help you to become more aware of where you might be going wrong.
Making sure you eat the right kinds of foods can be the difference between feeling well balanced and full of energy, and feeling depressed and lethargic. Make sure you have a balance of slow release energy foods, fibre, fruit and vegetables, and protein, whilst avoiding high sugar contents, caffeine, red meat, trans fats and hydrogenated oils. For more healthy eating tips, take a look at sassydove.com.
