When we think about making healthy lifestyle changes, we tend to spend a lot of time thinking about what to eat, when to eat, how much to eat...
But as Simon Sinek says - let’s “Start with Why.”More...
Why do we eat?
What if you changed your why of eating to simply be:
“I eat to fuel my body so it can operate at its peak performance.”
How would your diet look different if fueling your body was the only reason you ate?
A little biology
From a biological standpoint, we only eat to fuel our body. That is- to consume the nutrients that help our body to operate at its best, i.e. to ensure that we have all of the vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, fats and carbohydrates that allow our organs to do their jobs.
Every organ system relies on nutrition to function! Did you know that calcium and magnesium are essential for every muscle contraction/relaxation in your body (including your heart)? And that without the right balance of electrolytes, nutrients can’t flow into your cells where they do their work? Did you know that amino acids found in protein are responsible for all of the building and repairing that happens in your body? And that your brain relies on the right balance of omega-3 and omega-6 acids to manage our mental and emotional health?
Our "why" drives our choices
If we eat for entertainment, emotional relief, or habit - what do we choose?
Usually things that provide a lot of pleasure and cause us to feel better in the moment such as high-sugar, high-fat, processed foods. Unfortunately, these foods are very low in essential micronutrients and lead to nutrient imbalances.
On the other hand, if we eat to fuel our body - what do we choose?
Generally things like: fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats. We eat foods in their whole, natural state with very few added ingredients. And these foods help us keep our essential nutrients in proper balance.
Just pause and think about it
Awareness is the first step. The next time you go to off to find something to eat - pause. Ask yourself, "Why am I eating this?" "Will this fuel my body in an optimal way?"
Are you ready?
This may sound a little confusing, but it's actually much simpler than it sounds!
Join me LIVE on May 22, 2019 at 8:30 PM ET for a FREE webinar that will simplify healthy eating and help you create a diet that fuels your body, sharpens your mind and boosts your mood. Register below!
