When you hear the word SELF-CARE your first thought might be things like your skin, hair, nails etc
But today’s self-care Saturday is all about inner self-care. Today we will be focusing on the food choices you make, that are either healing or hurting your body.
When we choose food high in sugar (legal cocaine), starches, foods laced with chemicals and additives we are not taking care of our body as these foods can cause a lot of harm. Eating a poor-quality diet high in junk food is linked to a higher risk of obesity, depression, digestive issues, heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and even early death. So, in a nutshell, the food you eat can either hurt you or heal you.
Rather choice foods like fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, good oil, lean protein (non-processed meat), Plant-based protein like legumes, beans, chickpeas as these foods will help heal your body from the inside out.
INNER SELF-CARE CHECKLIST:
Load your plate with vegetables- Vegetables are a great source of vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants. …
Use herbs and spices that have additives (aka pure spices)- Other than jazzing up bland dinners, herbs and spices help lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, beef up the immune system and improve brain function.
Eat regularly. … (We recommend having 3 main meals and 2 optional snacks every day)- This will help your metabolism and prevents overeating and regulates your blood sugar levels.
Increase intake of healthy fats (like olive oil, coconut oil, Avo etc)- This will help improve cardiovascular health, strengthen bones and reduce inflammation.
Say hello to nuts and seeds. – Nuts and seeds contain a host of nutrients. Seeds (including flaxseed, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds) and nuts (like almonds and cashews) are good sources of protein, fibre and heart-healthy fats.
No added sugars and starches – Eating sugar-laden foods increases the risk of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Other than that, sugary foods trigger blood sugar drops which can make you feel jittery, anxious or even short-tempered and also plays a vital role in weight loss.
Pay attention to your plate – Multitasking while eating makes it difficult for you to listen to your body’s hunger cues. Mindful eating helps you understand hunger signs, appreciate food and prevent binge-eating. So, the next time you sit down to have a meal, get rid of all the distractions (read: your phone/TV/laptop) and focus on eating. Take your time to see, smell, savour and swallow every bite of your food.
Let face it, we are what we eat so start eating to nourish your body and heal it from the inside out.