Proper Nutrition
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A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illnesses.
Hippocrates / physician, “The father of medicine” / 460–370 BC
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Because the body is the instrument through which we each experience life, it’s logical to take good care of it in order to live well and maximize potential. Physical fitness, proper nutrition, and adequate rest are keys to fostering good health and reducing the likelihood of illness and disease. Maintaining good health will increase quality of life by raising energy, improving the ability to concentrate, controlling moods, and building confidence. In addition, tending to the needs of your body can dramatically slow the adverse effects of aging and allow you to retain numerous benefits of youth. If you lack energy, carry unnecessary weight, experience mood swings, or have an ailment, then take a close look at your diet. Eating fruits and vegetables as well as other foods containing a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and good fats will be of great benefit. Conversely, ingesting foods that are rich in unhealthy fats and sugars will have adverse effects on your mood and energy. A healthy, balanced diet will help you feel better, look more vibrant, and lower your risk for illness and disease. In addition to eating well, it’s important to drink numerous glasses of water throughout the day to hydrate and cleanse your system. At times, we mistake hunger for thirst, so water can curb your appetite too. We also need water to facilitate digestion, sustain healthy organs, and improve brain function. Therefore, make it a point to drink a few glasses of water a day to gain these benefits.
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As you might expect, eating well each day begins with a wholesome breakfast. Your body needs the fuel after a night’s rest, and breakfast gives your metabolism a jump-start in the morning to begin burning calories. Studies have shown that a person’s metabolism slows down at night and does not pick up again until we eat or drink. Also with this change in metabolism in mind, it’s recommended that you eat a larger lunch and a smaller dinner if you are trying to watch your weight. Recent studies even suggest eating five smaller meals a day to keep hunger at bay while sustaining an active metabolism. In addition, it is best to avoid frequently going on and off weight-loss diets. The body strives to maintain homeostasis, meaning it’s constantly working to maintain a stable, internal environment within certain physiological limits. If you continually gain and lose weight, the body has difficulty maintaining homeostasis, which can lead to stress and illness. It’s best to determine your ideal weight based on recommended guidelines, as well as your own experience, and then maintain that weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise.
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Just as important as choosing proper foods to eat is having a positive and healthy attitude toward nutrition. A focus on the quantity of each food you consume is vital. Indulging in the occasional high-calorie dessert is not necessarily a bad thing as long as it does not become a frequent habit. Also, remember that we can appease a craving for sweets with such healthy alternatives as low-fat desserts or a variety of fruit, for example. Another recommendation with regard to nutrition is that you supplement your diet with a daily vitamin. This should ideally be a natural multivitamin with minerals geared toward your age and sex. We often fail to get all the vitamins and minerals our bodies need each day. Providing the body with the nutrients it requires will strengthen the immune system and maximize energy, both of which can be invaluable in maintaining happiness and achieving success. With that said, however, be sure not to overdo it with vitamins, as an excess can actually jeopardize your health and waste your money.
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