IMPORTANCE OF FOOD IN FITNESS AND LIFESTYLE
Do you know what is the most important aspect of a fitness transformation that can make or break?
If you are thinking that it is exercise then my friend, you’re into the wrong notion. Many of us fall into or have been taught with the notion that if you exercise regularly you will stay fit and healthy. But to achieve a successful fit lifestyle you need to maintain a proper balance between nutrition and exercise based on your transformation goals. Due to the imbalance between nutrition and exercise, most of us are suffering from health issues.
The human body is similar to any man-made machine. For example, if you want your vehicle to run smoothly, the fuel must be of a pure quality and its engine must be regularly serviced with good quality oil. But if your filling tank with impure quality fuel and servicing engine with low-quality oil, eventually vehicle life span will reduce at a much faster rate and will stop functioning earlier than expected. Similarly, if your body and organs are fueled with imbalanced impure food then how much ever you exercise, you will not be benefited and your life span will decrease at a much faster rate.
If you have observed or definitely discussed with friends or family about our ancestors or grandparents being stronger and active with a healthy life expectancy than the current generation. That’s because they were never aware of the junk food which we consume today, they use to eat raw and nutritious diets such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, etc.
Therefore, if your aim is to excel in your fitness journey then plan for a healthy and balanced diet as per your transformation goal consulting with your trainer.
If you follow a healthy and balanced diet then you will be benefited in many different ways as below:
Food as medicine:
If you have an excellent dietary habit filled with nutrients than food acts as a medicine and prevents you from many diseases with a strong Immune system. Having poor dietary habits may lead to chronic diseases so it is really important to pay attention to your food choices. Currently, the major chunk of the population is suffering from chronic inflammation.
The definition of Inflammation is derived from a Latin word inflammare, which means to set on fire. Our poor dietary habit of eating junk, processed and refined foods releases substances that the body cannot process and these substances effects as slow poison eventually leading to chronic inflammation causing obesity, diabetes, heart attack, lung diseases and many more.
The best solution to avoid chronic inflammation is by consuming a high nutritious diet from sources such as vegetables, fruits, fibers, whole grains, and lean proteins, etc.
Food Metabolism:
Metabolism is a crucial process that keeps our bodies in a healthy and living state. Whenever we consume food it releases nutrients such as carbohydrates, lipids (fats), proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. Metabolism further converts these nutrients into energy which are necessary for the growth, development, maintenance, and reproduction of living cells and organs of the body. During the entire metabolism process, some metabolic wastes or substances are released which are toxic and can’t be processed therefore must be eliminated.
These toxic substances depend on the type of food we eat, if we are eating healthy and nutritious food than these toxic substances get excreted naturally through excretory organs and if we are eating unhealthy junk food than the accumulation of these toxic wastes beyond a level inside the body can cause severe damage to our body. Thus, consume food which helps in increasing metabolism.
Few foods to boost metabolism – Fish, eggs, meat, seeds and nuts, chili peppers, coffee, peas, chickpeas, beans, peanuts, etc.
Food Affect on Brain:
Our brain, which consumes 20 percent of the body’s energy and also the central organ of the human nervous system, controlling the entire human activities and behavior also needs the energy to function. So, to function efficiently brain extracts energy from the food which we eat. If we are eating unhealthy food then our memory, how we feel, our activities, behavior, intelligence, sleep, emotions, and thoughts, etc every function which brain performs will get affected.
Thus, to avoid depression, lack of intelligence, laziness, psychological stress, etc. It is really important to consume a balanced and nutritious diet to nourish the brain.
Consume foods such as oily fish, flaxseed, nuts and seeds, soybeans, whole grains, eggs, coffee, Dark chocolate, etc to allow your brain to perform efficiently.
Overweight or Obesity:
The most common reason for overweight or obesity is due to unhealthy food consumption and in some cases its due to medical reasons or Genetics.
In the case of overweight or obesity due to unhealthy food consumption, there is a high chance of overcoming it by strictly following instructions and diet plan provided by Bariatric physicians.
Thus, if you are suffering from Overweight or Obesity. First things first, consult Bariatric physicians and then plan your transformation journey accordingly.
Common reasons for Overweight or Obesity are poor food habits and lifestyle, lack of physical activity and psychological stress.
In terms of poor food habits and lifestyle, people tend to overeat processed and fast food or drinking sugary drinks or alcohol. Also, they eat unusual timings and have bad sleep patterns. In such cases, they have to develop healthy food and lifestyle habits.
Foods to consume: Whole grains, Vegetables, Whole fruits, Nuts and seeds, beans, and other healthful sources of protein (fish and poultry), Plant oils (olive and other vegetable oils).
Foods to avoid: Soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, Fruit juice, white bread, white rice, white pasta and sweets, Potatoes specially baked or fried, beef, pork, lamb and processed meats such as salami, ham, bacon, sausage, and Other highly processed foods.
Healthy lifestyle habits to follow: Stay physically activity by hitting the gym or actively involving yourself in some sports, follow proper healthy eating and sleeping pattern, stay psychologically positive by doing things which build confidence and self-love.
To conclude, a balanced diet & nutrition plays 80 percent of the key role in staying healthy & fit and the rest 20 percent is the physical activity which you do.
So, EAT HEALTHY, STAY HEALTHY
