Everyone is familiar with that age-old adage “you are what you eat.” Unfortunately, many of us still underestimate precisely how much of an impact adopting a healthy diet has on our health and wellbeing.
The key to personal growth, in general, is identifying any bad habits that we have become accustomed to and starting slowly but surely undoing them. Getting into better routines ultimately leads to a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life.
Now, most people can identify with having bad eating habits on some level, or perhaps the desire to feel better about oneself by shedding a few pounds or at least trimming up. An implication of adopting the right diet for some will naturally mean losing weight, and for others, maintaining a healthy weight.
Eating the right foods also plays a pivotal role in ensuring clear and radiant skin, delaying the signs of aging. In short, if you can be happier with how you look and what you are putting inside your body, you will feel fitter, stronger, and more stable in life.
Breakfast Like a King
Starting the day with a hearty and healthy breakfast is an absolute must for anyone setting out to achieve personal growth through diet. Eating a good breakfast gives you the energy and nutrients you need to get going and to get motivated. It can also be something to look forward to in the mornings if you can find a breakfast that you enjoy.
What we eat is linked to our mood, so eating a good, well-balanced breakfast can help reduce feelings of depression and demotivation. Eating right gives us the boost we need to get out the door in the mornings. On top of that, it also has a blood sugar balancing effect, which helps rid us of any tired or sluggish feelings.
The Power of a Balanced Diet
Research suggests that eating a balanced diet low in sugars, white starchy foods, saturated fats, and high in quality proteins including fish, lean meat, beans, pulses, leafy green vegetables, fruit, and healthy fats such as avocado and whole grains, can help us stave off many life-threatening diseases. A healthy diet keeps our cells healthy and boosts our natural defenses by supporting our immune system. This way, we are less susceptible to becoming ill in general, whether it be through the common cold or something more serious.
Mood-Boosting Foods
Eating this kind of balanced diet will give us the nutrients we need to help us stay focused and energized. That makes us more productive and able to get out and do the things we want to do, which is sure to increase life satisfaction.
Specific serotonin giving foods such as eggs, cheese, pineapples, nuts and seeds, salmon, bananas, and tofu will directly help boost our mood. Besides being packed with a whole host of nutritional benefits, the main component responsible in these foods for increasing serotonin levels is tryptophan. Tryptophan not only makes us happier but also contributes to getting a good night's sleep, win-win!
