The Importance of Eating Healthy for Physical and Mental Well-Being
We only have one body to last us a lifetime. This has become a repeating mantra in my head as I have progressed through the last 15 years of working as a physical therapist focused on the aging population. My passion has become helping people as we all age and trying to live their best lives by staying physically mobile and independent.
However, as I see people age in all different ways, I have realized how integral our healthy diet is for us to feel whole, happy, and healthy. It is difficult to want to do any physical activity when your body feels horrible. I became a certified health coach to encourage people in an increasingly obesogenic world to make healty choices. I see how many Americans are on medications for chronic health problems like blood pressure and diabetes. We can improve ourselves and live fuller lives. To improve, we can start with what we choose to put into our bodies, as we do not need those extra calories and rather choose the nutritious snack.
Maintaining a Healthy Diet During the Holiday Season
Since the holidays are in full swing, many people feel a total loss of control over their food intake, health, and general feelings of stress that has an effect on mental health. But eating healthy foods does not mean total denial of our favorite foods; just learning a few tips and tricks can make a big difference in maintaining our health and staying on track.
Here Are My 5 Ways to Maintain Healthy Eating Habits During The Holidays
- Eat breakfast within an hour of waking up. Your metabolism will kickstart. Try to make this meal low in glycemic index with some protein. Don’t starve yourself until the big holiday dinner!
- Eat small amounts every 3 hours. This will stabilize your blood sugar throughout the day instead of the large spikes and dips we get when we eat infrequently. It’s not just about what you eat but when you eat it! Over time less insulin produced reduces inflammation and fat storage.
- Drink at least 64 oz of water. This will help you feel less hungry and will keep your system functioning.
- Fill up your holiday plate with smaller portions of protein and vegetables. You will then feel more in control of your choices when it comes to breads and desserts!
- Eat slowly and focus on the “reason for the season,” which is usually friends, family, and gratitude! It’s not really about the food but about the people who we love.
In conclusion, we can improve how we feel in our bodies by starting with food. I love helping people learn how to feel better, and I wish all of you the happiest of holidays!
Dr. Emily
