I am a mother of three children. As a parent I have one rule that rules them all. The rule is: as parent I do my best every day with the knowledge and experience I have right now. Tomorrow I will have more and different experiences and knowledge, and will do my best again. But for now I do my best with what I have. But if I could change something in the way I parented my kids this would be it. If I could go back in time with the knowledge and experience I have now about the fuel that we should put in our bodies, I would do so immediately.
And yes, I do change what I do when I have new knowledge. I remember clearly the palace revolution that I faced when I told my kids that there will not be any cereal in our home. They begged me “Please mom, could we have chocolate cereal just once more. Just once, please?” The same happened when I removed all sugary drinks from my home. My son angrily asked me why we are the only home without soft drinks in his social circle.
It is common knowledge that you are what you eat, but far too many of us still do not make that crucial link between good health and diet. Take a moment today to truly think about what you are going to put into your body. Think of your body as an expensive car, like a Porsche or Ferrari. If you owned (or lucky you, own) an expensive car, would you put low grade fuel in it? No, you would only give it premium fuel. The design and structure of your body is even more sophisticated and exclusive than that Porsche or Ferrari, so treat your incredible body with respect and only give it the very best. Focus not on the calories but on quality food.
Power up your diet
Superfoods may have a little bit of hype but are also some of the healthiest foods you should be eating every day: foods brimming with various disease-fighting nutrients and delivered in a delicious form (think: antioxidant-packed blueberries). No single food — not even a superfood — can offer all the nutrition, health benefits, and energy we need to nourish ourselves. The 2015–2020 US Dietary Guidelines recommend healthy eating patterns, “combining healthy choices from across all food groups — while paying attention to calorie limits.” However, there are a few foods that can be singled out for special recognition. These “superfoods” offer some very important nutrients that can power-pack your meals and snacks, and further enhance a healthy eating pattern.
Here are 5 superfoods that should be included in your diet:
Berries. All berries are great sources of fiber and they are high in antioxidants and disease-fighting nutrients.
Olive oil. Olive oil is a good source of vitamin E, polyphenols, and monounsaturated fatty acids, all which help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Fish. Fish can be a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which help prevent heart disease.
Broccoli. This green powerhouse packs vitamins A, C and K (which helps with bone health), as well as folate.
Nuts. What can’t nuts do? They’re packed with healthy poly unsaturated fats and magnesium, two important nutrients for heart health. These nutrients may also offer protection against insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes.
We are constantly bombarded by advice on what to eat. But what about how to eat? It turns out that this, too, can have a big impact on your waistline and your well-being.
As busy people we live our lives fast. But when it comes to eating, fast isn’t better. It takes time for your brain to register that your stomach is full, so if you eat fast, by the time your realize that your stomach is full you would already have overeaten. If you constantly overeat this will lead to poor digestion, fatigue and weight gain. The solution is to slow down when you eat and stop eating before you feel totally full.
My grandmother was a very wise lady. When I complained that my skeleton was camouflaged a little too much and that I have gained weight, she would say she knows exactly why that was happening. Today we will call her advice mindful eating. But according to her, I did not pray before I eat something and were not grateful for what I put in my mouth. How true. How many times are you and I grateful for the snacks that we eat mindlessly? And in a world where some people still go hungry, it makes sense for the lucky ones who have enough to eat to show gratitude. The ritual of giving thanks or saying grace before a meal is one of the oldest in the world.
With the knowledge I have today, my advice to my children and you regarding refuelling our bodies to live a healthy, energized live is: Don’t drink your energy, drink water. Eat healthy, clean fuel for your body. In a nutshell (pun intended) eat less sugar – and keep in mind that starches are made from polysaccharides (poli – many, saccharides – sugar), eat your protein and vegetables that grow above ground. And grains are not veggies.
Be fully aware in those sacred moments before you eat, that food is fuel. If you fill up on poor quality fuel you won’t run efficiently. What you eat today determines how you feel tomorrow.
We at Zenzile Life support you in making a solemn promise to yourself to choose your food wisely, and to be sure today to give mindfully thanks for whatever fuel you put in your body, either out loud or silently with your thoughts and heart.
This post is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered therapy. This blog is only for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered therapy or any form of treatment. We are not able to respond to specific questions or comments about personal situations, appropriate diagnosis or treatment, or otherwise provide any clinical opinions. If you think you need immediate assistance, call your local doctor/psychologist or psychiatrist or the SADAG Mental Health Line on 011 234 4837. If necessary, please phone the Suicide Crisis Line on 0800 567 567 or sms 31393.