How Healthy Are You?
This is a trick question, but I bet it piqued your interest, didn’t it? We are constantly striving to know the latest health tip or fad.
- Should I try intermittent fasting?
- Should I do Keto?
- Paleo?
- Go vegetarian?
There is such a surplus of information out there, and with contradictory views to make things even more complicated. So how do you know what’s healthy?
It’s too broad of a question to answer for everyone because the reality is what is good for one person may not be good for another. For example, I personally get hangry when I don’t eat carbs, but I notice when I eat healthier grains like quinoa, brown rice or oatmeal, I feel comforted, full and happy. Yet someone else may feel better when they eat raw or carb-free.
So how do you know what’s best for you?
The best thing you can do is take notice. You may have heard the phrase “A is for Awareness.” This can be applied to so many facets of our lives. In the nutrition realm, practice “mindful eating.”
- How does each meal make you feel?
- Are you energized after or sluggish?
- Do you feel satisfied/full?
- Are you bloated?
In light of March National Nutrition Month, think about going back to basics, such as:
Water consumption: The ideal amount is 1/2 your body weight in ounces. So try a new practice like having a water bottle with you at all times, or drinking a full glass when you wake up right when you get out of bed.
Up your veggie intake: The recommended serving of fruits and vegetables is 7-9 per day (which may feel difficult for many of us to hit). Try to add 1 more fruit or veggie to your breakfast or lunch each day, so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
Eat more frequently: Are you eating enough? We think eating less is better for us, but we can actually increase our metabolism (and feelings of hangry) if we eat smaller portions more frequently throughout the day.
Sleep: Are you getting enough? If you wake up cranky and sleep deprived, this may drive you to make poorer food choices throughout the day. In addition, eating something fried or fatty late at night can interfere with your sleep, so don’t forget the correlation between what you put in your belly and restful Zzzs.
Lastly, be careful of the information you are consuming because it isn’t “one size fits all”. Just because we hear about something on the news, or see it on Instagram working for someone, your body and mind may react differently. If you’re looking for a custom recommendation, schedule a free consult with a registered dietitian that can point you in the right direction. You can find some listed on DAILY DOSE’s Partners page.
