Alana Marrero González, LND, MHSN
Are you aware of what you eat? If you have asked yourself this question or have analyzed the nutritional value of the foods you consume on a daily basis, you are on the right track and are likely to have a smart diet. The concept of nutritional intelligence is understanding the relationship between the foods we eat and the impact these foods have on our well-being, health, and performance. Nutritional intelligence leads us to use this understanding to make better food choices.
Eating smart starts with shopping and preparing your favorite dishes. Many factors unrelated to food can influence what you put in your shopping cart. Often, your mood or budget can affect how you eat, how much you feel like eating, and even which foods you choose. Scientific studies have also found that there is a physical link between emotions and eating.
This means that if you follow a diet with low nutritional value, those unhealthy nutrients you are consuming can affect your entire body, and it will be like a cycle: you eat poorly and you will continue to feel bad. Let me explain: if you consume high amounts of fats, sugars, and other ingredients, they can have a negative impact on you. Stress, depression, and anxiety are some of the problems that can result from eating an inadequate diet.
If you want to eat more intelligently, you can follow some of these recommendations:
- Question what you eat, why you eat it, and what it really does for you.
- Check the food in your refrigerator. What does it contain, and how does it contribute to your health?
- If you are going to consume a processed product, read the nutrition label and check the ingredients. And be very careful with added sugar and saturated fats.
- Research, analyze, and compare products.
- Don't be fooled by false nutritional myths.
Get motivated to work on your eating habits every day, which will help you improve your quality of life! If you have any questions about how to eat smart, I'm here to help.
The author is a nutritionist at Centro Ararat. You can follow her on social media
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