Finding a Sustainable Diet Is More Important Than Following Trends
It seems like a new fad diet hits the public every few months. And while these options can be great for quickly losing a few pounds, they are not a sustainable long-term solution. In fact, research shows that most people gain back the weight once they stop with the strict diet regimen.
Instead, you can focus on small changes that are sustainable in the long run. People who follow this approach are able to meet their dietary goals after some time, and better maintain their weight.
But it’s not only about the weight. Our diet is a major factor in our overall well-being, so many people want to discover how to adapt their nutrition to improve health. The truth is that a healthy diet doesn’t look the same for everyone, but we have some tips on how to eat for better health.
Instead of following fad diets, you should seek sustainable long-term eating plans that aren’t too restrictive.
What You Can Change to Start Seeing Results
Your body needs proper fuel for optimal health and performance. You can get it through a high-quality diet focusing on plant-based whole foods with as few processed ingredients as possible.
Here’s how you can do that.
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Plant Foods Should Be Your Main Focus
Research has shown that people who eat mostly plant foods are healthier on average than people enjoying a traditional diet. In fact, these eating patterns can help people manage weight, reduce the chances of diabetes, fight off obesity, promote energy levels, and reduce systemic inflammation. In addition, plant-rich diets can help people manage blood pressure, triglyceride levels, and glucose, which is vital for lowering the risk of many chronic conditions.
Keep in mind that enjoying more plants in your diet doesn’t mean that you need to become a vegan or vegetarian. In fact, a well-balanced Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest options out there. This type of diet includes a lot of vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains, nuts, seafood, fish, extra virgin olive oil, and even a moderate amount of red wine.
A Mediterranean diet is linked with an overall lower risk of mortality, cardiovascular problems, metabolic impairments, and cancer. So, if you want a diet that’s good for your health, a plant-based model like the Mediterranean diet is the best option.
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Eat Whole Foods and Minimally Processed Foods
Most dieticians and nutritionists agree that people should eat less processed foods. Yet, today, our diets include hyper-processed foods full of salt, refined sugars, and trans fats, which are linked with poor weight management and worse health outcomes. In fact, these processed ingredients can lead to inflammation in the body, increasing the chances of developing many health conditions.
That’s why your diet should consist mostly of whole foods and minimally-processed ingredients. Instead of eating processed meats, unhealthy snacks, sugary sweets, and refined grains, you can search for healthier alternatives that will help you achieve optimal health.
However, keep in mind that eating 100% clean isn’t possible. So, an occasional snack or candy won’t hurt you if your diet mainly consists of whole foods.
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Healthy Fats and Carbs Are Your Friends
Fats and carbs have long been demonized in fitness circles. That’s why some people are still scared about these nutrients and aren’t sure whether they should avoid them or not. The truth is that fats and carbs are essential for your health as long as they’re healthy.
You can get good carbs from veggies, fruits, and whole grains. These sources also contain a lot of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are vital for a well-balanced diet. In contrast, refined sugar and highly processed carbs have no additional nutrients.
When it comes to fats, nutritionists agree that plants and fish are excellent sources. Non-saturated fats found in these foods help combat inflammation, support the immune system, help hormone regulation, and have many other health benefits. On the other hand, saturated fats found in butter and meats are not as healthy, but they are also better than we once thought. So, slightly limiting their intake while focusing on non-saturated fats from plants and fish is the best strategy for better health and longevity.
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Don’t Worry About Counting Calories
Most people struggling with weight management think that counting calories is the only way to lose weight. However, you can simply focus on eating higher quality foods and don’t stress about the calories. That way, you can concentrate on choosing healthy options instead of foods based on their caloric values.
Many people also make the mistake of focusing on eating or not eating certain nutrients. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way, and you can’t pick out the good stuff from foods and leave out everything bad. Instead, choosing whole foods seems to be a better alternative. In fact, this little switch can help you improve your health and maintain weight.
The relationship between our health and diet is a complicated one. However, we know that an eating pattern created around veggies, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and good protein sources is the best option to improve your health through diet.
How Can You Optimize Your Physical Health?
In addition to a healthy diet, you can use other strategies to optimize your physical health. However, keep in mind that everything in your body is connected. So, the best idea is to focus on improving your lifestyle to support your mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health.
You can do that by:
- Eating healthy
- Staying active
- Sleeping well
- Spending time in the sun
- Drinking plenty of water
- Socializing with friends and family
- Developing healthy stress coping mechanisms
- Avoiding alcohol
- Quitting smoking
- Practicing safe sex
- Regularly visiting a health professional
The best way to improve your physical health is to visit Natural Remedes, where you can get a personalized strategy to improve your health holistically.
Natural Healing in Cypress and Northwest Houston, TX
At Natural Remedes, we focus on improving your health through a natural approach without using pharmaceuticals. Our board-certified naturopathic doctor, Dr. Borislava Johnson, aims to boost every aspect of your life through a personalized holistic strategy.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Johnson to discover which foods and supplements you should use to restore balance and optimize your health.
