"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food."
- Hippocrates
You may not need a reminder to keep eating healthy foods. If you maintain a healthy diet with ease, this post is not for you. However, if you feel like you could use a reminder that highlights the countless benefits of maintaining a healthy diet, there is some great info here. The biggest issue to clear up is what constitutes healthy eating. Everyone defines it differently. Some people choose whole wheat over white, while others avoid bread altogether. To each their own. When I look at healthy eating I consider three things: what I eat, how much I eat, and when I eat.
I keep it simple when eating. I treat food like fuel for my body. I do not avoid anything entirely, but I prefer to consume low amounts of carbs, sugar and meat. I prefer to eat larger amounts of fruits, vegetables and plant-based proteins. I swapped vegetable oil and margarine for olive oil and butter. Healthy fats are where it's at! I also do a smoothie 4-5 days a week that includes fruits, spirulina, turmeric, flaxseed, chia seeds, cacao and spinach. One of the best choices I made in eating healthier was avoiding drive-thrus and fried or processed foods. I prefer food with the least amount of ingredients, or none at all.
Photo by Daniel Frese on Pexels
How much I eat is tied in with when I eat. I started intermittent fasting a few years ago and it has helped me to have more energy throughout the day. A few days during the week I do not eat before 12pm or after 8pm. That gives me a minimum of 16 hours of fasting. Some days I will go a full 24 hours. There are so many benefits to intermittent fasting, but my favorite is, when the body is not busy digesting food, it's busy repairing and maintaining the rest of our body. This process typically starts after 9-10 hours of fasting. It also helps me limit the amount of food I eat. I drink water, black coffee or tea during a fast.
Eating healthy should be a lifetime commitment. Fad diets come and go. Fasting has become a lifestyle for me, so I do not consider it a fad. For me, it's about treating the food I consume as fuel for my body. I used to eat a lot of drive-thru meals and fried or processed foods. I remember how that made me feel. Now that I eat healthier, I consistently feel healthier. I am still able to prepare delicious meals without compromising satisfaction. I also allow myself some cheat meals and snacks every now and then. This way, I don't have to completely miss my favorite sweets and fried foods. By not overindulging, it helps me practice discipline and restraint too.
More Wellness!
Healthline: 10 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
Harvard Health: Plate power – 10 tips for healthy eating
American Heart Association: How to Eat Healthy without “Dieting”
