When we consider eating healthier, implementing a better diet, or consuming better nutrition, it is common that we start with a general goal.
Is it not true that most often, we start with wanting to restrict some of our vices? For example: a habitual tendency to eat all the ice cream or chips in sight or to simply “lose weight”.
While these may be the start to some very noble long-term goals, and you should be proud of yourself for setting them, a good diet is much more than just about addressing your waistline or reaching an ideal weight.
In fact, there are so many benefits to eating more wholesome foods, vegetables, nutrient-dense foods, and organic goods.
Western medicine has most commonly touted their use, particularly for weight loss, cutting calories, or during times of illness, which further perpetuates the idea that it can always seem to be all about maintaining this hypothetical “ideal” weight.
However, these outdated ideas are simply ignoring the nutritional properties and benefits that a variety of whole foods have on our bodies overall and our very need for nutrients from a variety of food sources on a daily basis. They also ignore the idea that being healthy also includes being physically active, regularly.
In this article, to bring awareness to this topic, we will discuss how switching even parts of your diet can improve your quality of life and start you on a path to renewed health.
No. 1
Better Sleep & Lowered Stress
A good diet will help you enjoy better sleep and lowered stress. For example, removing sugars will help you avoid constant energy crashes throughout the day.
Likewise, getting the right amount of nutrients will help your body gain the nourishment it needs. This will improve energy and satiety throughout the day, helping you to avoid relying on snack foods.
When blood sugar levels are regulated, melatonin can naturally be produced from eating vitamin-rich foods such as vegetables and fruits. So, sticking to these foods regularly will influence your sleep cycles in a positive way.
Additionally, by identifying and addressing your appropriate caloric needs, a good night’s sleep becomes normal because you a getting the proper intake of the right foods that promote overall health.
No. 2
Glowing Skin
It is not uncommon for those who regularly consume alcohol or sugar to notice blotchy, red skin. Nutrients and hydration can help reduce inflammation—in this case, omega-3s from fatty fish are a viable solution. Healthy fats such as this along with avocado oil can make a huge difference in the appearance of the skin.
Moreover, if you eat foods that help with gut health (such as kimchi, yogurt, and kefir), you will also notice a healthier outcome for your skin.
By incorporating just a few additions into your diet, you will notice that glowing skin is not an accident nor something that can only be achieved with creams and a healthy skincare regimen, but rather from a steadfast approach towards the foods you are consuming.
No. 3
Healthier, Thicker Hair
A good diet can also improve the health of your hair. For example, Biotin, a b-vitamin, is found in eggs, nuts, and sweet potatoes, as well as certain seeds; it has been known to improve hair growth. The same is said of Vitamin E, an antioxidant that will improve blood flow in your scalp.
In addition, healthy proteins in sufficient quantities from meat, dairy, fish, or vegan alternatives such as beans and lentils can be very healthy for the hair.
Sure, general hair maintenance and avoiding toxic irritants are also recommended (such as avoiding dyeing your hair), but you will be surprised with just how much of a positive effect a healthy diet will have, most importantly.
No. 4
Healthy Bones & Joints
Following a diet for healthy bones and joints is not just helpful for children, but everyone. After all, we only have a set number of bones and joints, so making sure they are as functional and cared for just like every other part of our body is very important, particularly if you live an active lifestyle or exercise regularly.
This involves getting adequate Vitamin D through sunlight or fatty fish as well as supplementing it during the winter months.
Moreover, sufficient calcium intake through milk, kale, broccoli, spinach, and other sources is always necessary. Many doctors will also encourage calcium-rich diets if you are healing or recovering from an injury.
No. 5
Better Digestive Health
Good digestive health is easy to take for granted; it is only when we are having digestive issues that we notice how tough and bothersome it can be to be in this position.
The gut biome is massive, and studies are showing how it can be linked to mood and mental health. The implications of this are huge as the gut biome influences a lot more than we can imagine.
This is why it is important to eat high-fiber vegetables while avoiding processed foods that remain high in refined sugars, sodium, and preservatives.
It is not just what you eat but how you eat that will also impact your results. Mindful eating, such as chewing well before swallowing and taking time with your meals, can be very helpful and increase feelings of fullness because your body will naturally respond that way. If you have the habit of snacking after your main meals, this is an alternate habit that you could adopt, and you will start to notice some changes.
No. 6
Have More Fun In Your Kitchen
It is very easy to feel proud about healthy diet changes once you are on the other end, and yes, you do deserve to recognize your achievement and positive lifestyle steps. From there, however, you might decide to enjoy more fun in your kitchen and have a better time with all of the new changes.
For example, that might include learning new cuisine in your kitchen and becoming more skilled at the oven. You might even learn to scale, skin, and fillet fish for a beautiful fresh dinner—one that tastes light and may even provide the perfect opportunity for a romantic meal by candlelight with your partner.
Trying new cuisine can also be a fantastic way to get the most out of basic ingredients, or allow simple ingredients to do the talking—knowing when and how to use them is what you will learn.
Anyone that has enjoyed a Mediterranean diet knows the wonder of this, from delicious olives to abundant plant-based foods, meat, and poultry, with an amazing focus on herbs and spices.
The more you get comfortable in your kitchen and the more free and experimental with it you let yourself get, the more you realize a little love and effort now saves you a lot of cooking time.
In addition, efficient kitchen practices like meal preparation and stocking foods that are naturally preserved and have a long shelf life like grains, beans, dried fruits, and nuts are a healthier and cost-effective way to eat versus heading to your local fast food place regularly due to not having proper meal planning measures in place for when things get busy.
If you must be out of the house for most of the day, prepare a quick lunch for yourself before heading to your workplace to save you time, money, and energy and ensure that you are meeting your health goals.
This type of planning ensures that meeting your health goals is sustainable and keeps you dedicated to healthy habits while improving your mental well-being, too.
Takeaways
As we have seen, a good diet is not simply about focusing on your waistline but having the right planning and decisions in place that will see you through your health goals for the long term.
Calling yourself to new heights will require you to be disciplined, committed, consistent, and persistent because you are stepping up to a different level, and your very life depends on it.
With this advice, you will be able to see to it that you do it for yourself because you deserve to feel your best from the inside out, and whatever measures you can implement will surely help you get there.
