When you improve your nutrition, you improve your quality of life.
Many people don’t realize just how much nutrition impacts various aspects of their life. Are you having trouble sleeping? Struggling from low energy levels? All of these problems can be linked back to poor nutrition.
Weight
You don’t necessarily have to embark on a crazy, fad diet to lose some extra pounds and maintain a healthy weight. If you’re not eating the right foods and incorporating nutrition into your diet, then this should be where you start. You just need to pay attention to nutrition facts and make strategic choices about what you eat. Stick to serving sizes and avoid snacking. Try to eat when you’re hungry and not when you’re bored.
Good nutrition means your body is getting everything it needs to feel and work at its best. This will help you avoid cravings and binges that threaten your fitness and weight loss goals.
Energy Level
Do you find yourself relying on caffeine all day to stay awake and energized? A more nutrient-rich diet gives you more fuel to power through the day, so you might find yourself reaching for some fruit instead of another cup of coffee or soda.
If you’re worried about finding time to plan and shop for more nutritious meals, eating better is actually a solution to this dilemma. Nutrition gives you energy, which means you’ll be able to use your time more efficiently and be less tired throughout the day. You may even find yourself getting more tasks done at work too.
If you want to maximize your energy level, try eating smaller meals more frequently, incorporate all the food groups, avoid alcohol, and drink lots of water.
Sleep Quality
Nutrition and sleep actually go hand in hand, and they’re two of the key factors to living an invigorated, healthier lifestyle. If your energy level is up due to eating more nutritiously, then you’re less likely to reach for a caffeinated beverage throughout the day. The less caffeine you consume, the better you’ll sleep at night. And the cycle continues because the better quality of sleep you get, the more energy you’ll have throughout the day.
Long-term Impact
Nutrition doesn’t just affect your short-term health goals, it can have a noticeable impact through your whole life. From aging more gracefully to boosting your immune system, integrating nutrition into your diet can have a long-term impact on your health.
Aging
Nutrition in your diet keeps your body healthier for longer. Some studies even show that diet and exercise are the biggest contributors to lifespan.
Paying attention to nutrition can add extra years and quality to your life. Nutrients bolster your digestive functions and immune system, which both work against the degenerative changes that occur when you age.
Brain Function
The term brain food is definitely a real thing. Nutrient-rich foods like nuts and vegetables contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids that are great for boosting brainpower.
Other foods to incorporate into your diet for optimum brain health:
- Berries: improve communication between brain cells
- Sunflower Seeds: linked to better brain function in older age.
- Broccoli: lower the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Immune System
A well-balanced, nutritious diet helps boost your immune system and aids in fighting off illness. For a healthy immune system, you need to be incorporating vitamins and minerals in your diet!
If you suspect your diet does not give your body the nutrients it needs, especially if you have special dietary restrictions, consider taking a multivitamin or mineral supplement. It can be hard to incorporate all of the nutrients you need into your daily diet, so don’t shy away from supplements.
One of the best vitamins for your immune system?
Vitamin C! Some foods that are rich with this immune-boosting vitamin are guavas, bell peppers, and dark green leafy vegetables like kale.
Schedule an appointment today with our integrative medicine specialists and get help kick starting your path to a healthier, more natural way of living and eating.
Use the form on our site or give us a call us at 301-703-5067.