Eating patterns that begin in childhood affect health and well-being across the lifespan. However, the culture of eating has changed significantly in recent decades. Most of us know what healthy eating is about: less fried food, less sugar, and more vegetables and fruits. Today even teenagers talk about their calorie intake, and a few have also started to follow a low-calorie diet. However, in this process, do they think about nutrition? Nutrition is an essential aspect of a healthy lifestyle, and the importance of getting it right cannot be overstated. There are some other factors that are equally important when we talk about a healthy lifestyle.
Let us talk about that today. Along with proper nutrition, these six elements are equally essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Nutrition is important, but what else?
- Food quality
- Sleep
- Stress
- Micro-nutrients
- Chewing
- Digestive Health
Food quality:
For their daily nutrient intake, any people are attracted to artificially-made low-calorie foods like snack bars, ready meals, artificial sugar-sweetened beverages, etc. To make the low-fat food taste good, the manufacturer often adds sugar and other additives. Eating this way not only takes away essential nutrients from nurturing our body, but it will not contribute much to our weight loss journey.
Foods that are naturally low-fat — like fruits and vegetables — are great, but processed foods labeled “low-fat” are usually loaded with unhealthy ingredients. Do you remember those recipes from grandma? That is what we should be eating. As they say, if your grandmother would recognize it, go for it!
Sleep:
We have seen people binge-watching TV while snacking over a bowl of popcorn or chips or ice cream. When we are awake, our brain does not get a signal to relax. Adequate sleep is part of many healthy eating plans for a good reason. Sleep loss also changes the timing and release of the appetite-controlling hormones. The stomach secretes a hormone called ghrelin that tells the brain you’re hungry.
Related article: Lack of sleep may increase calorie consumption
Stress:
Stress eating is also called emotional eating. It could show itself as eating a bag of chips when bored or eating a chocolate bar after a difficult day at work. When we are feeling stressed, our body release cortisol, known as the stress hormone. It tells our brain to prepare for a stressful situation. It also makes us crave sugary, salty, and fatty foods because our brain thinks it needs fuel to fight whatever threat is causing the stress. One can control this by knowing the triggers, removing the go-to food from the pantry, and finally replacing the eating habits with walking, deep breathing, and exercise.
Micro-nutrients:
Macronutrients – proteins, fats, and carbohydrates–are most people’s primary focus when planning a healthy diet. Our body also needs micro-nutrients – vitamins, minerals. Everyone needs to consume micronutrients because they have numerous vital roles in the body and brain’s functioning, yet our bodies cannot manufacture most of them. Putting it in simple terms, micro-nutrients are the essential nutrients, but since our body cannot produce all of them, we must get them through food. They are needed in much smaller quantities. They are very important for proper brain functioning, strengthening our bones, and strengthening immune system.
Related article: Nutrition myths busted by experts Rekha Diwekar and Somya Gupta
Chewing:
Proper chewing is essential for proper digestion. Chewing breaks down the food and makes it easy to digest. So, eating slowly, taking small bites, chewing properly, and then swallowing it before taking the next bite is the ideal way to eat.
Digestive health:
Proper digestion and absorption of food are essential to weight and fat loss. Our body is a complex system of moving parts that cannot function properly without the proper nutrients. If your body is deficient, it’s not going to perform. In addition, junk and processed food can disturb our digestive system. Bloating, constipation, reflux, and inconsistent bowel movements are just a few digestive problems that we could encounter with a poor diet.
Picking the right nutritionist and adding supplements if needed
Even after following a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, if you cannot fill the gaps, then you should seek consultation from a good and certified nutritionist and ask about taking supplements. Companies like Dr. Ryan Shelton Zenith Labs sell supplements that can help people reach their optimal level of health.
When combined with a healthy diet, supplementation can be an important part of preserving the body’s natural function.
Our health is in our hands. Whether or not it’s to the advice of a professional or your inner voice, enjoying good nutrition is something that everyone should work towards.
Yes morden lifestyle put lots of negative pressure on our health. You have mentioned all the important aspect of good health, so well in this post. Proper sleep, healthy diet, regular exercise and good stress management is must to keep ourselves healthy and fit.
yes, good health is a combination of these small routine habits.
Great article to read! When the topic about nutrition is brought up, we most of the time think that it’s all about our food intake. There is so much more to know about nutrition that most people don’t seem to know. Thanks for sharing!
Yes.
Exactly. Nutrition is not just about food intake.
Understanding Nutrition and other factors is so important. I completely agree that many don’t see the food quality when they start looking for nutrition filled food. This is important for us to understand that along with food we need to balance sleep and eating habits too. Supplements are making their way in the busy lives and right set of supplements can do wonders to the body.
Absolutely.
Chewing food well is something very few people give importance to. Also, sleep is very important. This post is such a much-needed reminder, Alpana.
Yes, chewing food is a crucial step which we tend to overlook.
Chewing is very important for proper digestion.
Yes right. Healthy food of nutrients. Nutrient is important health. 7 or 8 hours of sleep and good gut health help a lot. I heard about everyone talks healthy food and balanced nutrients.you have mentioned. It’s really great post. And well written. Thanks for this.
Sleep and Digestive health are the two things that are distrubing my life a lot. Thanks for the post at least it gave some information worthy on the topic
I am glad.
Rightly said. Apart from good nutritional food, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is equally important to maintain good health. Supplements are equally important to bridge the nutritional gap.
Yes.
Healthy lifestyle can compliment nutrition.
I read a lot of articles on importance of diet & nutritions but there, honestly, are a very few which pays attention to the basics. Your article was one such piece. Emphasising on details like chewing the food can make a great difference for it is so importance for our digestive system.
Chewing is very important.
Very simple yet soooo useful points 👏🏻👏🏻😇well explained in simple ways and I 💯 second you . Love the article 🙏🏻😇
Thanks
Not just balanced food but balanced lifestyle also the key for good health. Kids also have lot of stress and the drastic change in lifestyle in last 2 yrs is having impact on their mental health too.
Absolutely Ujjwal.
Wow this post has given so many new information about nutrition and it’s important aspect. We mostly ignore chewing habits in this.
Yes chewing is very important.
Great article. Chewing is such an important aspect but we end up ignoring it. Gobbling food only slows down digestion and nutrient absorption. I remember my granny would tell us to chew a bite at least 36 times before swallowing.
Yes. Chewing is an essential part of nutrition but we ignore it.
These are so true pointers about nutritional , many times we end up ignoring the benefits of micro nutrients and chewing food properly. Let me check out Ryan Shelton Zenith Labs supplements for the overall wellness
I am glad you found it interesting..
I swear by the benefits of chewing. I have personally faced the change in the bowel movements and health if we chew the food properly.
Yes, it has a huge impact.
Maintaining a good lifestyle is really important. It keeps the mind, and body in a good form. Very well executed.
Yes.