Health Foundation #2

Whole, healthy foods are essential to providing your body with the nutrients it needs to maintain optimum health and prevent disease.

A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins will provide the right combination of nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber. These compounds work in tandem to provide your body with the building blocks it needs to construct your cells, block free radical formation, and promote a healthy immune system.

Additionally, aside from the obvious physical benefits of eating a healthy, whole diet, the effects of such a diet also influence your mental health. Eating processed, sugary, chemical-laden foods can cause fatigue, mental fuzziness (people with celiac disease often describe this symptom), and irritability. In eating a balanced diet, you support your physical and mental health. They are really one in the same. The mind-body connection cannot be underestimated.

Here's some food (ech-a pun!), for thought: Think of your body as a car. If you take care of it by putting in the right type of gas (the right type of food), take it for oil changes and tune-ups (yearly wellness visit and blood tests with your doctor), and basically treat it according to the users manual by driving properly (sleep, exercise), your car will need minimal repairs, last many years, and even the exterior will probably look better.

Now take that car and put in diesel fuel instead of unleaded, never bother checking the oil or what those little lights on the dashboard are signaling. Drive it like a maniac nonstop. How long will that car last? Or maybe it will last- it'll clunk along making awful noises and breaking down at unpredictable moments.

This same process can happen with our bodies. For today, lets focus on putting in the right fuel.

Concentrate on building a diet around vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats. Add in some lean protein and voila!- you've got what you need to support basic health.

When you add more fruits and vegetables to your diet, you will automatically increase fiber, which will also help with weight control and feels of satiation. A healthy diet isn't a short term weight loss tool, its a long term habit of a balanced life.

Check out my favorite places to shop so that you can stock your kitchen with all you need to keep your food choices whole and balanced. B'tay avon:)