You’ve been trying to eat a well-balanced diet, but is it enough? There are several easy ways to read signs that your good eating is paying off. Step on the scale, visit the doctor and look in the mirror to gauge whether you are taking sufficient of the right kinds of nutrients. A healthy diet includes lots of fruits and vegetables, whole-grains, low-fat dairy, lean protein and certain types of fat. Don’t exclude a food group or restrict your calorie intake excessively to lose weight your health will suffer. Ask your health care provider to build a diet plan that goes for you.
“Our bodies are our gardens, to which our wills are our gardeners. ”
Weight
Part of good nutrition is eating the right number of calories for your height, weight, age and activity level. Weight is one sign of whether you are taking insufficient energy. Use a body mass index (BMI) calculator to determine your ideal weight. If you are within a few pounds of the recommended weight, you are probably eating just enough, but not too much.
“Diet is an essential key to all successful healing.”
Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
A woman may eat 1,600 calories a day and maintain a healthy weight, but still be malnourished, so calories and weight aren’t everything. Another indicator of good nutrition is your cholesterol and blood pressure levels, which your doctor can check for you. If your blood pressure is high, you may need to eliminate salt or alcohol from your diet. Your cholesterol levels should demonstrate a diet rich in healthy fats such as olive oil and avocado. It’s best to avoid or limit your intake of saturated fats like butter.
“Nutrition is the only remedy that can bring full recovery and can be used with any treatment. Remember, food is our best medicine! “
Skin and Hair
Dry, brittle hair and flaky skin are common symptoms of malnutrition. Eat antioxidant-rich foods such as carrots, spinach, blueberries, apricots, beans and nuts to keep your skin strong and supple. Antioxidants protect your cells from the damaging effect of free radicals. Omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, nuts, flaxseed and walnuts keep your scalp strong and help to fend off dandruff.
“The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like, and do what you’d rather not. “
Energy
If you skip meals or load up on processed carbohydrates at meals, your blood sugar will crash and leave you feeling lazy. Deficient calorie intake will make it difficult for you to focus or engage in problem-solving at home or work. Try to eat a little meal or snack every 3 to 4 hours. Fuse a whole-grain, a lean protein or low-fat dairy product and fruits or herbs into each meal.
“Even in this high-tech age, the low-tech plant continues to be the key to nutrition and health. “
Bowel Movements
Talking about your bowel movements doesn’t make for polite discussion, but how you visit the toilet is a very important sign of good nutrition. A diet rich in fibre from fruits and vegetables, whole-grains, nuts and seeds will keep your bowel actions regular and prevent bloating. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water too.
