Nutritional Awareness

 Let's talk about something that’s as vital as breathing and sleep: proper nutrition and hydration. What we eat and drink greatly affects our overall health and wellness. Even though nutrition is always a hot topic, we often don’t give a proper diet the attention it deserves.

We overlook the simplicity of authentic food cultures for confusing food pyramids and the convenience of drive-thru options, only to wonder why we aren’t healthier. Next time you’re at the grocery store, take a look at the space devoted to real food versus the shelves full of processed commodities packed with added sugars and unhealthy fats. One of my favorite food rules comes from Michael Pollan: “Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food."

For most of us, good food is available and often cheaper than its processed counterparts. If you have to eat three times a day, why not do it right? The consequences of poor eating habits include obesity and metabolic disorders. Only 10% of adults meet the recommended intake for fruits and vegetables, but we’ve become too comfortable medicating the resulting deficiencies and illnesses far downstream.

Good food habits start with good information. Improved nutritional knowledge and guidelines on how to structure a nutritious food plan can significantly improve your dietary decisions. Are you valuing a meal as one of the most important healthy activities of your day, or has nutrition become an afterthought?

Practical Guidelines

The first step to nutritional awareness is to pay closer attention to what you’re consuming. Protect yourself from unhealthy processed foods and empty calories. As a rule, try not to drink your calories. Food journaling can help you stick to your plan. Be mindful of your hunger and fullness cues, and take time to savor your food. Fill your kitchen with whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. This is where reading and understanding food labels becomes essential. Plan your healthy meals in advance and take time to enjoy them. Being too busy to eat well is not a wise long-term decision.