Importance of Diet to Your Health

Diet and overall health go hand in hand, but it’s not all about numbers on a scale when it comes to healthy eating. Eating is about fueling your body to do the things it needs to do and giving yourself the things that make you happy. Emotionally and physically, everything about your wellbeing can be influenced by your diet. At UltimateMD, we help our clients to discover the best nutrition plans for their unique needs, incorporating healthy eating into treatment plans to promote holistic and overall wellness.

Combat Illness and Disease

What you eat impacts your immune system, which in turn works to combat illness and disease to keep you happy and healthy. Eating the right foods can help to support immune function, fueling your body to fight off free radicals and toxins that may find their way into the body. Eating the wrong foods can leave your cells feeling depleted, ruining your ability to fight disease and weakening your overall defenses. To support a healthy immune system, try adding some of these foods to your diet:

• Citrus
• Ginger
• Almonds
• Mushrooms
• Yogurt
• Spinach
• Watermelon

Boost Energy

The ‘calories’ you consume throughout the day are transformed by the body into usable energy which can either be stored or burned to get you through work, school, exercise, or that Netflix marathon you’ve been working through. Eating a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of sources of carbs, fats, and proteins can help to keep your energy levels high and prevent the dreaded crash. Forget to eat the right foods, and you may find yourself exhausted or struggling to keep up with your responsibilities. Energy-boosting foods include:

• Eggs
• Beans
• Nuts
• Sweet potatoes
• Green tea
• Lentils
• Salmon
• Avocados
• Blueberries

Improve Sleep

Millions of people around the world struggle to get good, solid sleep regularly, and believe it or not, their diets may be to blame. Sleep deprivation can ruin your entire day, make you ineffective, and cause more problems than it is worth, but if you are struggling to fall asleep at night, the problem could be in your gut. Many foods have the power to keep us up or put us to sleep, so knowing what to avoid if you struggle with sleep can help you to feel more rested and have more energy during the day. If you struggle with sleep issues, avoid these foods:

• Cheese
• Ice cream
• Chocolate
• Tomatoes
• Grapefruit

To help yourself sleep better and more quickly at night, try adding some of the following sleep-promoting foods to your diet:

• Salmon and other fatty fish
• Nuts
• Rice
• Malted milk
• Bananas
• Honey

Retain Hydration

Most people think of hydration as being purely a ‘drinking’ issue, believing that they get all their water from their daily 8-glasses. While a large portion of your daily hydration does come from directly drinking water, eating the right foods and including hydrating foods in your diet can help you to retain hydration between glasses of water. Some foods that help the body to retain hydration include:

• Watermelon
• Cantaloupe
• Celery
• Lettuce
• Zucchini
• Pineapple
• Carrots
• Oranges

Protect the Skin

Your skin is the largest organ on your body, and though treated mostly topically, can be seriously affected by what you put in your body. The foods you eat can either help to protect the skin, keeping it elastic, moisturized, and free from irritation, or not, leaving you with blemishes, sagging skin, and premature age-marks. Healthy foods recommended to protect skin health include:

• Salmon and other fatty fish
• Avocados
• Nuts
• Broccoli
• Kale
• Sweet potatoes

Improve Brain Function

Your brain requires energy in the same way your body does and needs the right nutrients to maintain proper functioning. While some foods contain few nutrients the brain wants, others can help keep your mind active, healthy, and happy. Some foods known for their impact on brain health include:

• Fatty fish
• Pumpkin seeds
• Avocados
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Berries

Support Heart Health

Heart health is important if you plan to live a long, active life, and it should come as no surprise to learn that the foods you eat can either help or hinder your heart health. Foods that are high in minerals like fresh fruits and vegetables, or proteins high in healthy fats are great contenders, but those pesky processed foods often get in the way. While salt and oil might taste good for a short time, they won’t do much to help you live a long, healthy life, which is why you should include the following heart-healthy foods in your diet:

• Kale
• Spinach
• Berries
• Beans
• Fatty fish

Want more recommendations on healthy eating for a happy life? Visit UltimateMD online today to find more information, or contact us to find out how we can help you create a custom healthy eating plan.