What you eat impacts your health!
BATHING SUIT SEASON IS ON ITS WAY…
… but looking good on the beach isn’t the most important reason to watch what you eat.
How can my eating habits impact my overall health?
Fast food is easy. But, most fast food is full of sugar, salt and unhealthy fats, and those ingredients can do more than expand your waistline. They can make you unhealthy over time!
This article in a medical research journal states, with no ifs, ands or buts, that poor diet is “a major factor behind the rise in hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and other CVD (cardiovascular disease) components.” Simply put, those who munch on fries and burgers on a daily basis are at higher risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and heart disease.
But, there is good news! If we understand the problem with our food, we also understand the solution: eat better.
It’s not going to be easy at first. But, with willpower and small steps, you’ll find yourself swapping that burger for a salad (and even enjoying it!) in no time.
Proper nutrition can help you lose weight.
Dr. Spiker, of HealthStar Physicians Premier Medical, says, “There are many diet plans out there, but to lose weight and maintain it you need to make a lifestyle change.”
Sometimes, small steps make a big impact. Dr. Spiker advises cutting out all sugary drinks, like soda, Gatorade and juice. So, what are you supposed to drink? She says, “I recommend water. It’s cheap and has zero calories. You can flavor your water with spices, or herbs and vegetables like cucumber, mint, strawberries, lemons etc.”
But, what about changing what you eat? Dr. Spiker says, “I also recommend a low carb diet and more protein. This will stabilize blood sugars and increase overall energy.”
Don’t forget to exercise!
It might be a four-letter word for some people, but exercise makes a huge impact in weight loss.
“Exercising helps to increase your metabolism to help burn more calories,” Dr. Spiker explains.
You don’t have to invest hours of every day to jump-start your metabolism. Start small:
- Park further away from the store or work to get more steps in.
- Take the dog on an extra walk, and bring the frisbee for some added play time.
- When the kids play in the yard, join in!
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Plan a 20-minute lunchtime walk to relieve and stimulate muscles, after sitting all morning.
Eating right can also help you manage chronic diseases.
For people with chronic diseases like diabetes, losing weight can help. Even dropping a few pounds can have big effects, like:
- Improved insulin resistance
- Better A1C results
- Lower blood pressure
- Improved cholesterol
As you can see from the list above, losing weight is beneficial even if you don’t have a chronic condition like diabetes.
Even small, healthy choices can make a big impact over time.
As Dr. Spiker advises, switching out sugary drinks for healthier options is one way to infuse more health into your day. Here are a few other better choices:
- Switch the morning office donut for fresh fruit.
- Get a salad instead of a burger at the drive-through.
- Get grilled chicken instead of fried.
- Order veggies instead of fries as a side.
- Instead of carb-heavy morning cereal, change to eating protein-rich eggs.
Getting started on the right nutrition path can feel overwhelming.
HealthStar Physicians Premier Medical can help. The experienced staff has helped many patients make healthy nutritional choices. They have ways to make it easier, like informational handouts and a portion plate, so you can see how much an appropriate amount of food really is.
They also offer certain medications to help stimulate the metabolism, while patients lower calorie intake. This can jump-start weight loss, helping patients feel great about losing weight.
HealthStar Physicians Premier Medical cares for the whole body!
At HealthStar Physicians Premier Medical, we take a whole-body approach to health. We know it can be difficult to make lasting lifestyle changes, but we’ve also seen great results in our patients who make the choice to take care of themselves. We’re here to help you on your way to optimal health.
HealthStar Physicians Family Practice is now HealthStar Premier Medical!
We’re still Newport’s compassionate, experienced Osteopathic healthcare providers. We offer a wide range of care, including everything from DOT physicals, vaccines and weight loss management. Click here to learn more.
We’re accepting new patients, and we accept most forms of health insurance. Contact us to find out more.
