Summer is in the air!
Thank Goodness! As for most of the US, this spring/summer season is a very warm welcome to what could only be classified as a very long winter. This year as you are unpacking your summer clothes to enjoy the fresh air do not fret that your clothes do not fit from the extra winter padding and begin a healthy fad crash diet. Embrace the season of change with a new healthier plan of weight loss.
In fact, there is no better way to rejuvenate your health than by eating more nutritiously. In fact, even a few simple changes in your diet and lifestyle can have a positive impact on your health now and in the future.
Days Gone By
Gone are the days of the traditional coffee and doughnuts for breakfast; a hamburger for lunch-or no lunch; candy, cookies, and a soft drink for a snack; followed by a huge dinner with more protein than a person needs.
Today most of us know that those are unhealthy dietary choices. But as we were growing up and living stress filled take away lives it became an unhealthy routine. Unfortunately the trend and television still drive our food desires which is taking toll on the health and weight of our children at a younger and younger age. This is prevalent in the statistics of heart disease which continues to rise due to poor diet and an epidemic of inactivity.
To reverse the alarming trend, many doctors of chiropractic urge patients to stop smoking, eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and augment their balanced diet with appropriate nutritional supplements. Because the are specialists of the entire body’s system, they are able to help you not only change poor habits but achieve better health and weight loss goals.
Where Should I Start?
Begin Here!
Lifestyle Makeover
- Exercise at least 20 to 30 minutes three or four days a week.
- Eat out more sparingly. Food preparation methods in restaurants often involve high amounts-and the wrong types-of fat and sugar.
- Brown-bag your lunch to control your fat and sugar content while adding nutritious fruits, vegetables, and grains.
- Limit your intake of alcohol and quit smoking. Drinking alcohol excessively and/or smoking hinders your body’s ability to absorb nutrients from your food.
Dietary Makeover
- Eat more raw foods. Cooking and canning destroys much of the nutrition in foods. Eat fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables for they always retain more natural vitamins and minerals in their raw state.
- Select organically grown foods when possible, because they have lower amounts of toxic elements, such as pesticides and heavy metals.
- Consume 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day. Whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, nuts, and some fruits and vegetables are good sources of fiber. High-fiber diets can help prevent digestive disorders, heart disease, and colon cancer.
- Drink eight to ten 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and alcohol are dehydrators. Don’t substitute them for water.
Going Vegetarian
Research shows that a good vegetarian diet as part of a comprehensive health program can help prevent heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. However, fried foods, hydrogenated fats, and commercial meat substitutes may contain more sugar and fat than a meat-eater would consume.
If you are considering a vegetarian diet, keep the following tips in mind:
- Don’t rely on fruits and vegetables at the expense of grains and legumes. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables to consume a wide range of nutrients.
- Tiredness, malaise, and anemia can be signs of deficiencies. Have your B12 and iron levels checked at least once a year.
- Consume fortified foods or take supplements to obtain the nutrients you no longer get from animal-based products, such as vitamin B12.
- Before eliminating animal products from the diet, learn to do it right. Children, pregnant and breast-feeding women, and people recovering from illness should consult their health care practitioners first.
Nutritional Supplements
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, dietary supplements are not substitutes for foods, nor can a person sustain good health by just taking vitamin and mineral supplements. When taken properly, however, supplements can play an important role in achieving maximum health. If you are considering nutritional supplements, keep the following tips in mind:
- Remember to consume dark green vegetables, oils, nuts, and seeds, which are sources of magnesium, fatty acids, and many other vitamins and minerals.
Don’t “self-prescribe.” Consult a health care practitioner, such as a doctor of chiropractic, to determine what supplements are best for you. If you have symptoms such as headaches, chronic fatigue, or cardiac problems, seek professional advice from a health care provider who specializes in nutrition.
We Are Ready To Help!
Call today and begin now so you can enjoy a great summer as a new healthier you!
For Your Health,
Dr. Steven M. Gillis
