Let Food be Thy Medicine

Top 4 Tips for Eating Healthy:

The number of fad diets that have been hailed and debunked over the the last decade has created a dizzying maze of information to sort through. It's easy to be swept up in the latest 'fad diet' without fully understanding the health benefits and harms. We recommend adhering to diets that are back by evidence based research and endorsed by medical professional societies.

“We recommend adhering to diets that are backed by evidence based research and endorsed by medical professional societies.”

Here are our tops tips for eating a healthy diet:

Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet is endorsed by a number of medical professional societies including the American Heart Association (AHA). Studies have shown that this diet reduces inflammation, helps maintain healthy weight and blood sugar, improves heart health, reduces cognitive decline and risk for cancer. While no diet is perfect, the Mediterranean diet has proven to have the most health benefits. You can learn more about the Mediterranean diet on the AHA website. As always, you should consult with your doctor before starting any dietary plan.

Eat for Nutrient Value

Eating for nutrient value means consuming foods with high nutrient density (e.g. vegetables, fruits, nuts, low fat dairy, fish and lean meats). Too often, we are just putting food into our bodies because we are bored or too tired to prepare something nutritious. Education is the first step to making healthier choices -- check out Nutritionfacts.org to learn more about nutrition.

Moderation is Key

No matter what you put in your body moderation is key. Over indulging leads to increased caloric intake which results in weight gain, labile sugar, and inflammation. Monitoring what and how much you're eating is the first step to improving your eating habits. Record everything you consume in a week -- identify your unhealthy choices and find healthy alternatives. If you are struggling to make changes consult your medical provider or nutritionist.

Water Your Body

Just as you water your garden to help your plants grown, you must water your body to help its run like a well-oiled machine. Cut-out all beverages with added sugar (juice/soda/sports drinks!) and substitute with H2O. If you struggle drinking water, set an hourly alarm on your phone as a reminder. Your exact hydration needs will depend on your activity level and health conditions. For an average healthy adult, the National Academy of Sciences recommends approximately 3-4 liters daily.