You are what you eat: the impact of food on your health
Written by Lindsey Kaszuba
The saying "you are what you eat" contains a lot of truth - the foods you regularly consume can significantly impact your health, energy levels, and even your mood. In this post, we'll explore how making better nutrition choices can transform your well-being from the inside out.
HOW FOOD IMPACTS YOU CELLULARLY
While we don't literally become what we eat, our food choices do affect us on a cellular level. The nutrients we ingest impact how our genes are expressed, cellular function, and even organ health over time. Eating processed foods high in sugar and low in nutrients leads to inflammation, low energy, and disease risk. However, consuming whole, nutrient-dense foods provides the building blocks for vitality and wellness.
Shifting your diet to incorporate more high-quality whole foods is attainable through small steps.
Here’s where you can start
Focus on adding in rather than restricting. Add more fruits, veggies, and lean proteins.
Go for color and variety to get a spectrum of vitamins and minerals.
Choose whole-grain options like brown rice, quinoa, and oats instead of refined grains.
Minimize processed snacks and desserts high in sugar, sodium, and trans fats.
Read labels and opt for foods with a short, recognizable ingredient list.
Shop the perimeter of the grocery store where the produce, meat, and dairy often are.
Allow yourself the treats you crave in moderation until you learn to trust yourself around them.
Eating more natural, minimally processed whole foods provides amazing benefits not just for physical health but also mentally.
Here are some of the perks
Increased energy and reduced fatigue
Improved gut health and digestion
Better skin, hair and nails
Lower inflammation and disease risk
Healthy weight management
Positive impacts on mood and mental health
Shifting your diet may feel intimidating, but focus on progress, not perfection. Celebrate each small step, like adding an extra serving of veggies to one meal or trying a new recipe. Building sustainable change takes patience with yourself. But the impacts it has on your health are worth it!
Your homework:
Try adding IN one more whole food each day this week. Small steps create a big impact. You’ve got this!
If making lasting nutrition changes feels overwhelming, I can help. Schedule a free discovery call with me to explore how personalized coaching can help you.
For more tips on eating without guilt, moving without it feeling like a chore and finding balance in life
