Ever heard the phrase "You are what you eat"? Well, it’s true!
Think of food as the fuel to run your engine. It is our job to give it the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients it needs to function.
So, why is healthy eating important?
Our eating and lifestyle habits contribute to how we feel, energy levels, digestion and even play a role in preventing chronic diseases. According to the CDC, the three main chronic illnesses that result in death are heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Let's explore the risk factors of each of these:
Heart Disease:
Obesity.
Insulin resistance or diabetes.
High cholesterol and blood pressure.
Family history of heart disease.
Being physically inactive.
Smoking.
Eating an unhealthy diet.
Clinical depression.
Cancer:
Smoking and Tobacco.
Diet and Physical Activity.
Sun and Other Types of Radiation.
Viruses and Other Infection
Diabetes:
Overweight
Obesity
Physical inactivity
Genetics and Family History
The similarities between each of these illnesses are clear. While they are not completely avoidable through lifestyles due to genetics, making an effort to be physically active and maintain a healthy diet can do wonders for our health and longevity.
What can you do?
1. Take a 30-minute walk daily and aim to get up and move around for 1-5 minutes each hour. Being sedentary promotes insulin resistance and makes it difficult to regulate our blood sugar levels.
2. Add 2-3 servings of fruits and vegetables to your day. Fruits and vegetables contain our micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals to keep the body energized and nourished.
3. Cook meals at home! Eating at home gives you full control of what is going into your food. Aim to consume slow-digesting carbohydrates like sweet potato, brown rice, quinoa, vegetables or dark leafy greens, and a lean protein like chicken, turkey, fish, or tofu.
Need help incorporating healthy habits into your lifestyle? Click the link below to schedule your free consultation with one of our licensed dietitians.
Written by: Luciana Perasso, M.S, R.D.N
NextGeneration Nutrition Registered Dietitian
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Jessica Mantell M.S., C.N.S., L.D.N.
CEO & Founder of NextGeneration Nutrition
NextGeneration Nutrition believes that better health should be accessible to everyone and that we all are able to improve our health through good nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle change. We do not support setting shame-based goals but encourages embracing our bodies, genetics, and personality. Our philosophy is abandoning the “One Size Fits All” mentality to create a personalized wellness plan based on your biological makeup and your lifestyle.
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