Why Nourishing Our Bodies Can Support Our Mental and Physical Health

Did you know that it’s possible to eat plenty, yet still be malnourished? Processed and convenient foods make it far too easy to neglect the kinds of nutrients necessary to keep us healthy. But it needn’t be difficult or expensive to include an array of fresh produce in your daily life.

Why is it important to nourish your body?

A lack of a particular vitamin or mineral or a deficit of protein will cause any number of health issues, ranging from mild to severe. These issues may be physical or mental - for example, if you have too little magnesium in your diet, it can lead to increased stress levels and problems sleeping.

How do you nourish your body?

Eating well. A balanced diet rich in nutrients will stand you in good stead. This doesn’t mean depriving yourself and only eating green things. Aim for 30 different plant-based foods a week. This includes things such as; fruit, vegetables, lentils, chickpeas, herbs, spices, nuts and seeds. Try adding some cinnamon to porridge or a handful of beans to your soup to mix things up.

Finding out what works for you. We are all different. This is evident in allergies and intolerances. Grains, oats, dairy and wheat, for example, can all be positive inclusions in a healthy diet. But for some, they’ll play havoc on the body, and can actually prevent the absorption of nutrients. I'd always advise getting further advice from a healthcare professional or Nutritional therapist when wanting to start an elimination diet.

Mindful eating. It’s not only what you eat, but how you eat it. Busy lives and an excess of screen time often lead to us gulping down meals or eating on the run. While this isn’t very satisfying on an emotional level, it’s also bad for our digestion. And with so much of our immunity held in the gut, it pays forward to be kind to the digestion process.

Foods that nourish the body

Here’s a snapshot of some of the items you can include in your menu plans. It’s by no means exhaustive, there are lots of wonderful health-giving foods. But these are some of the easiest ones, to begin with.

Oily fish like salmon and sardines contain omega-3 and protein.
Greens including kale, spinach and broccoli contain vitamins and antioxidants.
Blueberries for their astounding antioxidant properties.
Eggs are cheap, protein-packed and freely available, referred to as nature’s multivitamin.
Raw dark chocolate is not only delicious but contains iron, magnesium and antioxidants.
Almonds are a handy vitamin-packed snack.
Sweet potatoes are versatile and rich in beta-carotene.
Ginger will help heal your cold and assist your digestion.
Bone broth - especially chicken soup - oozes with strength-giving minerals.
Avocados are on-trend, not least for their healthy fat content.

Home cooking and baking is a great place to start your journey towards personal nourishment and will enable you to build plenty of health-giving ingredients into your diet.

If you're reading this ready to know more and create a plan of action that supports nourishment book a free 30-minute health and energy review with me to start looking at what will help you to feel your best. Click here to book!

Categories: : energy, health, nourishing