Answer Three Simple Questions to Evaluate Your Eating Habits
March is National Nutrition Month and Women’s History Month so I wanted to focus on both in a two-part series. This week, I wanted to discuss certain habits that may be sabotaging your healthy diet.
If we polled 100 of our female customers, the majority would cite losing weight as a top priority. But the real focus needs to be supporting a healthy weight and lifestyle through a balanced diet. I know you’ve heard it a thousand times, but it’s worth hearing 1,001 … a balanced diet is the key to good nutrition and good health. Many of the health concerns of women are affected by nutrition, especially as different life stages begin to manifest themselves onto the body. But that “ideal” diet eludes many of us and is not always easy to follow. It takes time and prior planning – two things not always abundantly available.
A good nutritional outline translates into an abundant source of energy, lifelong weight control, and looking and feeling great at any age. And the basics of a well-balanced diet remain the same: whole grains, fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and lean protein. I know you’ve already heard these are the kinds of foods you should be eating. What I want you to think about when you assess your daily routine is:
1) Are you eating breakfast? Skipping breakfast to bank the calories for later can backfire. Studies show people who eat breakfast tend to weigh less than those who skip it. By eating a healthy breakfast, you get your metabolism going and fuel your body for the day.
2) Are you snacking? I’m not talking about chips from the vending machine. A healthy snack like fruit, yogurt or nuts a few hours after lunch will minimize your afternoon feelings of irritability and fatigue and support your body’s energy cycle.
3) Are you still eating junk? Believe me, I know the draw of doughnuts, cookies and gummy bears. Kicking the habit of sugary snacks and simple carbohydrates can be really difficult, but the ups and downs that accompany these foods cause extreme energy and mood swings. Try resisting your cravings for one week and you’ll be surprised at how they gradually subside. You will start to enjoy the taste of eating right!
For women, nutrition and diet are particularly important issues, since aging will significantly affect the body and alter nutritional needs. Eating a balanced diet while keeping my three questions top of mind will promote an overall sense of wellbeing. Got any great healthy eating tips? I’d love to hear them. And be sure to check back with me later this month to learn more about women and nutrition.
ABOUT VH PHARMACY: VH Pharmacy is a family-owned and operated neighborhood pharmacy. In business for more than 40 years, VH Pharmacy has been under the leadership of Pharmacist Eddy Blanco for the past 11 years. With his extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical compounding, Eddy Blanco has transformed VH Pharmacy into a technologically cutting-edge facility. To learn more about our services, please visit our website at www.vhpharmacyrx.com or call us today at 305.324.8777.
