ABCs of Nutrition: Eat to Feel Good

If you want to know my mantra for nutrition and eating well, look no further:

Eat to feel good. Not to be skinny.

An hourglass figure or abs of steel is not the pinnacle of health and well-being. Despite popular belief, looking razor thin is not the key to the kingdom. Moreover, measuring yourself against models and movie stars will get you nowhere but depressed.

Whole-heartedly and permanently embracing better health habits is the path to your optimal weight. There’s a good chance that starving yourself to reach an unattainable goal will only make you feel worse than you already do. Conversely, eating a reasonable quantity of high quality foods will keep you energized throughout your day, ensuring you feel good. And feeling good about yourself, too.

The less you worry about taking off the pounds, the more that food becomes a conduit to a fitter and happier you.

What You Can Do:

Keep a food diary for one week. Write everything down, including snacks, water intake, alcohol and desserts. Also jot down exercise, sleep and any other factors that might be affecting your disposition and/or health.

Now go back and observe patterns. When did you feel good? Lethargic? Downright awful? Did your diet have any connection?

Melinda Hinson