You are what you eat

How better eating habits will lead to a healthier lifestyle

Your diet is a major part of self-care, and it's an aspect you should be much more aware about. 

When you ask people about foods that make them feel good, you get answers like a juicy steak, a large burger dripping with cheese, a serious helping of lasagne, or extremely delicious desserts, cakes and chocolates. 

However, consistently indulging in these delicacies is NOT self-care. If you don’t believe me, go watch ‘Supersize me’ to see what can happen when you consistently eat the wrong kind of food. I’m not saying you can never go to a fast food restaurant, eat a microwave dinner or indulge…but everything in moderation.

Healthy, nutritious foods are one of nature's best gifts to us. Make a habit out of consuming good nutritious food that build your body instead of processed foods full of letters, numbers, and chemicals that are destructive to your wellbeing.

Drinking water is also important to your well-being. How much water do you drink every day? You can not include your daily cups of tea and coffee in the amount of water you consume every day but the least amount of water you should drink is around 2 litres…and I’m being very conservative. 

Water flushes the body, it oxygenates you, it hydrates you…even more so when you have had some time of intensive exercise when you perspire a lot, or when you are out in the sun a lot.

We are always quick to judge others for unhealthy habits or, especially at these times, for not complying with government health guidelines, for example, in the supermarket….when, really, we should have a much closer look at what we have already placed in our trolly or about to add to it, and ask ourselves how healthy our diet actually is?

Are we not ‘ever so slightly’ hypocritical when we judge others on matters regarding health, even bully or make derogatory comments, while we do not ‘practice what we preach’? 

That is why Self-care begins at home….with ‘Self’. There are so many amazing benefits from healthy eating while this is often overlooked… for a variety of reasons:

•  No time – …For your health? Stress, Eating on the run….or forget to eat all together?
• It doesn’t Taste good – Mostly an excuse as we are used to convenient food
• Convenience – Ping dinners, take-aways (All in moderation)
• The children won’t like it – They certainly won’t if they do not try. Start early and tale some time to get them involved in the preparation process.
• Health food is too expensive – compared to what?...Your health??? Healthy food isn’t… What happens when your health suffers over time because of bad eating habits? Medical bills from diabetes, heart problems, closing arteries, overweight, and other restrictions because of your health?...how expensive are those?

Your dietary needs and eating habits are an important part of self-care. Make a list of all you eat, then look at its health benefits. When you become aware of your dietary consumption, you might have to make some important life style choices. 

Your health is important to you….choose wisely!

Here is also a link to the video about this article:  https://youtu.be/mhL3emmyztc

Jan Robberts