Those who think they have no time for healthy eating, will sooner or later have to find time for illness.
Edward Stanley
So What Does Nutrition Mean?
Did you know March is nutrition month? And because I’m a health and wellness coach and was trained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, you probably know I feel nutrition is important. But I want to help you see why it’s key to our gut health, other health issues, and really our life.
It is the process of nourishing our body and mind through what we consume and how that influences our health, growth, and really our life.
When studying nutrition, we focus on studying how food and drink affects people. Many times we focus on the chemical composition of food and beverages – macronutrients and micronutrients.
Macros include proteins, carbohydrates, and fats; some experts also add fiber. Micros include vitamins and minerals.
By changing the foods you eat every day, you gain a new understanding of how food works in your body. And just how much nutrition affects your entire life – in all areas, not just physical health, but also mental, emotional, spiritual, relationships, job, anything you think, say, or do is affected by what you consume.
Why is it Important?
Because God created our body and mind to need food for fuel – to give us energy. We need to eat enough of the right foods so our bodies will function optimally. This influences how we think, our moods, how we treat others and ourselves, and even how we view the world.
Here’s one example. You’ve probably heard of people drinking too much alcohol, and they get into a fist fight with a friend or loved one over a minor issue. The alcohol dulled their minds, decreased their control, and caused them to do something they wouldn’t normally do.
Here’s another example. You eat 3 or 4 desserts on Thanksgiving Day or for a special event. Later your stomach hurts, you feel tired and irritable. Then you lash out at your spouse or kids. That’s because the food you ate had so much sugar your blood sugar levels increased rapidly but later plummeted, which caused not only the physical symptoms but also the mood swing, lack of patience, and poor impulse control.
Here’s example number three. The number 1 reason people end up with diabetes type 2 is being overweight, obesity, and physical inactivity. Those are lifestyle choices – the food they eat, whether they get enough sleep or exercise. And yes, that can be influenced by stress, relationships, and bad circumstances.
So those are just two examples of how what we consume really does affect our body, mind, spirit, and life.
Nutrition is key to our health and lives. But many of us just ignore it and eat whatever we want. Yes, you might get away with it when younger but eventually it catches up. And that can lead to chronic health issues later in life.
What are Simple Steps To Take to Improve Your Nutrition?
Add just add one extra vegetable or fruit each day. That’s only seven this week. You pick it. Try something new.
Make a meal plan. Yes really. Knowing what you’re going to eat helps you not buy impulse goodies at the store. And you’re more likely to eat healthier. Plus you’ll save money cooking at home.
Make a new recipe each week. Or every other week. Only twice a month. This prevents boredom. It adds variety and new nutrients to your diet which bumps up nutrition. One way to do this is to pick a different culture to focus on and eat that type of food. The internet is full of ideas.
So by focusing on nutrition in small steps you will gradually help increase energy and cognitive abilities, improve digestion, and mood. And all of these factors affect all areas of your health and life. It’s a win-win!
Leah Cheshire is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach who works primarily with women over 40 who have digestive issues, brain fog, fatigue, weight and autoimmune issues. She’s also an autoimmune and digestive warrior herself, having a thyroid autoimmune disease and IBS. She focuses on using nutritional and lifestyle modifications for both herself and clients. Having been in the medical field for over 30 years, she has been helping clients with holistic wellness for over 17 years. She loves helping people take small steps towards better overall health – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Contact her here to set up a free strategy session..– Leah Cheshire, MCD, CCC-SLP, NBC-HWC
