Did you know 80-90% of risk for chronic disease is related to your lifestyle choices and majority of that has to do with the food that you choose to consume? We in the US tend to eat what is known as the Standard American Diet, aka the “SAD” diet. We eat for convenience versus overall health and wellbeing. We eat a diet of ultra highly processed foods and high sugar/high fructose corn syrup, eat foods most often containing lots of chemicals, preservatives and food dyes and eat a large amount of animal products. We are lacking in fruit, vegetables and fiber. Put this recipe together and we have the chronic disease and obesity epidemic.
Good nutrition supports good outcomes and will make you look and feel your best. Little changes go a long way and it’s all about consistency.
Consuming a healthy diet provides our bodies and minds with all the needed building blocks to function at our most optimal including carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and fiber.
Tips to eating a good diet
- When it comes to food choices, look for quality over quantity. Not all calories are equal.
- Eat as close to nature as possible
- Eat items with no labels (fruit and vegetables)
- Add nuts and seeds to your diet everyday
- Consume good fats such as avocado, olives and olive oil, nuts and seeds)
- Eat foods containing Omega 3 (hemp/chia/flax seeds, walnuts, salmon)
- Eat a plant forward diet
- Avoid processed foods as much as you can
- Avoid excess sugar (aside from fruit and occasional honey, molasses, agave)
- Avoid refined carbohydrates and starch
- Eat adequate amounts of fiber (at least 25-35 grams per day); start off slowly and stay hydrated
- Eat adequate amounts of protein especially from plant sources (peas, beans, soy)
- Eat organic and non GMO
Next time you are about to indulge in a meal, think about these tips. Is the food high quality, is it going to make you feel better or worse after, what is the food doing to your body? Healthy food does not have to be bland or flavorless. Healthy food can be extremely flavorful and delicious. Eating a good diet helps to decrease inflammation in the body which is the leading cause of chronic disease. Just remember, our choices and the food we choose to consume will affect your life and how you feel each and everyday. In order to prevent disease and live as healthy as possible, choose your foods!
Throughout this blog I will be breaking down lots of tips and tricks along the way and will be sharing some of my favorite recipes filled with color, variety and taste!! See you soon.
Nutritiously Yours,
Jennifer Nicole
