Nutrition Self-Care

The buzz word this year has been Self-Care. It’s the ability and intentionality of promoting health, including physical, spiritual and emotional. It may sound indulgent at first, but it’s important to take time for your own wellbeing so you can be your best at managing stress, relationships, daily activities, and whatever health threats come your way.
 
Eating well is an important component of self-care. I think of it as your opportunity to nourish yourself both physically and mentally. When you eat foods that are good for your body, your body thanks you with better digestion, sleep, mood and energy levels. Here are my top tips for nutrition self-care!

• Increase your intake of vegetables. They provide antioxidants that cut down on inflammation throughout your body, fiber that regulates your digestive track, and phytochemicals that fight diseases like cancer.
• Eat at least three meals per day. Start your day with breakfast, and be sure to eat lunch and dinner as well. It’s also find to add midmorning and midafternoon snacks as opportunities to boost your stamina and concentration.
• With each of your meals and snacks, include some healthy protein like eggs, plain Greek yogurt, nuts and seeds, beans, peanut or almond butter, tofu, and hummus. If you want, include small portions (the size of your palm) of chicken, turkey, beef, pork and fish.
• Replace sugary drinks with water, flavored sparkling water, or herbal tea. The added sugar in many beverages like soda and coffee drinks just provided unneeded calories without nutritional value; that is the opposite of self-care.
• Plan meals a week in advance, make a grocery list, and visit the store with a positive attitude. Make sure you stick to your list, and embrace the control you are taking over your food choices.

 
JUST ONE THING: Choose one of these tips to start to show yourself some LOVE!