Hippocates stated once “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.” This statement is even truer today than it ever has been. With more people cooking at home and trying to do their best at preparing meals while trying to stay on a budget is putting a lot of stress on parents and children. We all know that healthy nutrition choices lead to a healthier life, promoting wellness and preventing diseases. It is no surprise that chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers can be prevented with a proper nutrition plan.
Mental health experts have explained in numerous studies that emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by stress is just a small glimpse of what’s to come. We have to act now and take care of our wellbeing and learn to use nutrition as medicine to help combat these harmful effects of the stress in our lives. People today are turning towards nutrition, exercise, and supplements to help and here are a few tips and tricks to help you get ahead of the stress and start living your best self!
Supplemental arsenal
More people are turning to supplements containing botanical ingredients, adaptogenic ingredients, or herbs to help combat stress, build their immune system and fight fatigue. These supplements include rhodiola, cordyceps, ashwaganda, and hemp extract just to name a few. These herbal supplements can have a big impact on the body when it comes to staying healthy. But like any other supplement or medication consult with your doctor before taking any of these or any other supplements as they might interact with current medications. One tip to remember is that some of these herbal supplements have to be taken awhile before your body will see an effect. I will do a few reviews on the supplements that I currently take with the pros and cons of each later on. So stay tuned for that coming soon.
Choose Healthy Options
When it comes to making choices at the grocery store or planning out your meals, always choose a healthy option instead of what is convenient. For example, when choosing frozen foods such as vegetables, choose broccoli, spinach, green beans or peas. These foods generally have been harvested and frozen the same day. There will be more nutrients and better flavor then choosing microwave dinners. Also, if buying frozen pizza, although not really recommended if trying to lose weight, try the cauliflower crust over the flour crust and go for the vegetable toppings in place of the meat. When it comes to buying vegetables try to buy fresh and organic if all possible. The organic fruit and vegetables will not have the pesticide use or GMO, or anything on them. The organics are a little more expensive, however, the quality is different and your body will thank you in the long run!
Choose Protein Wisely
When it comes to choosing a protein for your meals or your menu, choose lean meats such as chicken, turkey and fish instead of pork and beef. These lean protein sources will have less fats, calories, and more protein compared to other options. Stay away from red meat if at all possible due to the known, proven cancer causing properties these have on the body. One study done by the Harvard School of Public Health stated that consuming large amounts of red meat actually changes your DNA! It has been proven with numerous studies that red meat causes cancer and is very hard on the prostate. I highly recommend not consuming it at all or only consume it no more than once a week. Other protein sources include eggs, low fat dairy products like yogurt or low fat cheeses and milk. I will do another blog on dairy and the harmful effects later on, so stay tuned for that as well.
One misconception is that eating healthy is expensive and most people cannot afford it. Although it would seem that way at first, however, if you look at the price of a box of cereal and a container of oatmeal is there that much of a difference? Compare a box of pop tarts with a box of whole grain healthy frozen waffles is there much of a difference? Compare a large bag of frozen broccoli to a large bag of frozen French fries, is there much of a difference? When looking at it a certain way it may seem at first glance that eating healthy is expensive, however, I believe that most people are more prone to convenient shop than shop for health reasons. If people knew how to shop, I believe more people would choose healthier options and make healthier meals than what people are making today.
Sustainable Food Trends
We all know that sustainable food trends are not new, however, there are some food brands taking it to new levels. One trend to watch for in this new year is something called “upcycled foods.” This process involves using food byproducts and surplus foods in a whole new way. Since about 30% of the U.S food supply goes to waste, some food brands are using these byproducts to produce healthy and nutritious food products. This upcycled food process helps keep food inflation costs down while reducing food waste.
Reminder! I help with setting up meal plans as well and help people choose healthier options if anyone needs help, please reach out to me!
Thanks for reading and go live your best self!
Darren
Harmony Shift 