Eating right is something that everyone should take seriously. Food taken has an impact on the overall mental and physical health of an individual. Most people erroneously believe that eating right costs a fortune; au gratin potatoes and baked potato pies are great examples that show how false that belief is. To understand how food affects our mind and body, it is necessary to do a little biology.
The brain is the center of mental processes and this important organ alone uses 60% of the glucose in the body in the resting state. This translates to about 420kcal of energy consumption daily.
The other parts of the body also require nutrients to stay healthy. Nutrients include carbohydrates (for energy), proteins (for bodybuilding and repairs), fats (alternative energy source and other biological functions), minerals (for regulating the body), and then vitamins (for biological functions). All these nutrients have to be taken from foods. Thus, eating the right food is important.
Generally, the following rules apply for healthy nutrition:
- Reduce refined sugars: The dangers of refined sugars have been explored a lot. Developing diabetes, heart issue, and weight gain remain the biggest risks, but they have also been linked to a higher likelihood of addiction, depression and even dementia. The sugar high people get from refined sugar is a potential mental problem similar to an addiction. It is best to use natural sugars like date palm.
- Eat whole natural foods: Whole grains and whole carbohydrates are far better than their processed versions. For example, eating natural rice is just better than polished rice. Another example is eating potato meals like au gratin potatoes instead of chips and fries. This helps to control weight gain and lower the risk of developing diseases.
- Eat vegetables and fruits: Vegetables and fruits can be eaten in different ways. Luckily, there is an almost infinite number of ways to combine fruits so there is little risk of becoming bored with fruits. Vegetables are excellent sources of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Veggies like au gratin potatoes are not only nutrient-packed but tasty. Fruits and veggies promote excellent physical conditions as well as improve brain health.
- Drink enough water: Water is an important nutrient; 70% of the body is made up of water. Water is important to keep the kidney in good condition. It is also important for numerous biochemical processes in the body.
