The Relationship Between Food & How You Feel
It’s no question that food has a significant impact on your health and wellbeing, in both the short and long term. With food and wellbeing being so closely intertwined, it is essential to be intentional with your dietary choices to ensure that you’re using food to your advantage, and not your disadvantage. Just like how food can have many positive impacts on your health and wellbeing, it can also have negative effects. In this post, we’re discussing the positive and negative impacts of food along with some easy tips to achieving a healthy, balanced diet.
But First: What is a Healthy, Balanced Diet?
We’ve all heard of this term… but what does it really mean? A healthy, balanced diet is one that includes a variety of nutrient-rich foods from each major food group. In theory, your diet should provide all the necessities your body needs to function properly. But of course there are food sensitivities and dietary restrictions — we’ll get to those later in this post! Here’s a general guideline on what to include:
01 Fruits and vegetables: Aim to include a variety of fruits and veggies in your daily diet since these are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber — which can help reduce your risk of many chronic diseases.
02 Whole grains: Whenever possible, choose whole grains over refined grains since these are the “complete package” that haven’t been stripped of their valuable nutrients.
03 Lean protein: Choose lean sources of protein such as chicken, salmon, tofu, beans, and legumes, which are all great options to support muscle growth and repair.
04 Healthy fats: Look for unsaturated oils like extra virgin olive oil or sunflower oil along with foods like avocados, nuts, chia seeds, and fish. Foods like these are rich in omega 3-fatty acids which can help reduce inflammation and improve your heart’s health.
Other important points to consider for a healthy lifestyle:
Try to limit added sugars, salt, and saturated fat.
Strive to drink at least 8 cups of water per day.
Stay active for at least 30 minutes a day.
One of the best ways to see how your food is working for you is to track the foods you’re eating alongside how you’re feeling. It may feel overwhelming keeping track of your diet and identifying what works and what doesn’t, but many health tracker apps make it easy for you to keep track of what you eat along with your moods and other symptoms.
Wave Health App is a digital symptom tracker and health journal that allows individuals to securely store treatment and health information, as well as log daily symptoms, meals, activities, water intake, etc. With Wave Health App, you’re one step closer to learning what works for you and achieving your best self. It’s that easy!
How Food Can Benefit Your Health and Wellbeing
Eating the right foods can improve how you feel both physically and mentally. Here are some ways food can make a positive impact on your health and wellbeing:
01 Energy levels: Food is energy! It provides the essential nutrients that your body needs to function at its optimal potential. Eating a diet that is too high or low in calories can impact your energy levels, leaving you sluggish or fatigued.
02 Mental health: Research has shown a correlation between what you eat and your mental health. Eating a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can improve your mood, while reducing your risk of depression and anxiety.
03 Digestive health: A diet high in fiber can help promote regular bowel movements and prevent constipation. In addition, consuming probiotics and prebiotics that are found in foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and tempeh can help support a healthy gut microbiome.
How Certain Foods Can Be a Detriment to Your Health and Wellbeing
While food can benefit your health and wellbeing in many ways, it can also have negative effects. Here are some of the ways food can negatively impact you:
01 Risk of chronic diseases: A diet high in processed foods, unhealthy fats, and added sugars can increase your risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
02 Food sensitivities: Many people experience adverse reactions when ingesting a specific food or ingredient. Common food sensitivities include lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity, and allergies to nuts, shellfish, and other foods. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and are different for each person. Therefore, it’s important to identify and manage food sensitivities so that you can avoid triggers and maintain your overall health and wellbeing.
Food and symptom trackers like Wave Health App can automate this process of identifying foods that may be negatively impacting your wellbeing.
Ultimately, being proactive about your health and wellbeing can help you live a more energetic, happier, and optimal life. It all starts with your diet. There are many resources that can help you take control and optimize your daily health choices. Check out the Wave Health App to learn more about its symptom tracking and journaling features.
Sources: WebMD, Head to Health, Harvard T.H. Chan
