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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : February 8, 2019 1:40 PM IST
Make sure you eat healthy not just for weight loss but also for your overall wellness ©Shutterstock
What you eat has a profound effect on your overall wellness. Eating well is arguably the single most important thing you can do for your body and long-term health. It contributes to you being at a healthy weight, reduces the likelihood of you developing diseases, and helps mental health and self-confidence. Wellness is a holistic combination of good food habits and a healthy lifestyle. They are two sides of the same coin and need to be balanced to achieve results.
Wellness practices like yoga have been around for a very long time, but they have gained popularity in recent years and have now started influencing diet. One of the most important factors which have a direct impact on health is food habits. A proper functional diet regime is very critical for keeping the body and mind healthy. The connection between food and exercise is best leveraged when you combine a moderate approach to each.
"Another often ignored yet related aspect is maintaining a healthy gut. Gut health can lead to a plethora of problems bloating, diarrhoea and in worst case scenarios autoimmune diseases. Most people neglect to keep a tab on what they eat because they feel it doesn t really affect them. However, prolonged abuse of your system will definitely lead to problems. Yoga, though an external activity, has been seen to improve the health of your gut. This form of exercise conjoined with good eating habits can go a long way in preventing severe health issues," says Dr Ashwini Konnur, BAMS, YIC, CFN In-house Ayurvedic Consultant, AyurUniverse.
In ayurvedic nutrition, one needs to consider the effects of both the purifying and rejuvenating qualities of food. "A perfect diet should be one that is also suitable for your problems and the current state of well-being. Apart from tasting good, it should also be organic and free from toxins. In fact, you should ensure that your diet includes plenty of seasonal and regional fruits and vegetables. With the progress of technology, most foods are available throughout the year and anywhere in the world however, it is not always the best option to eat food which is enhanced by chemicals. Making sure your diet is replete with those vegetables which are naturally found in the region you live in will ensure they have a minimum usage of chemicals like preservatives," says Dr Ashwini.
Maintaining a healthy weight:
Diet is key to maintaining a healthy weight. Keeping a healthy weight means that you are less likely to experience complications such as high blood pressure and irregular blood sugar, and you are at lower risk for diabetes, heart disease and other weight-related illnesses. You are also likely to have a higher quality of life and greater self-confidence when you are at a healthy weight.
"Many diet plans maintain that including carbohydrates in your diet can help reduce weight. However, that may not always be the healthiest option for you. So if you are cutting down on the carbs, make sure you consult a dietician before implementation. This is because carbs, in the form of say Millets, are not entirely harmful to your system. They help to maintain your weight and are a rich source of magnesium, fibre and important minerals like potassium and zinc," says Dr Ashwini.
Preventing Disease:
What you eat has a direct correlation with your likelihood of developing diseases. An unhealthy diet -- one that is high in salt, sugar, trans fats, saturated fats, additives and preservatives -- can lead to a variety of serious illnesses. Apart from this, several doctors maintain that your mental wellness is directly correlated to your physical wellness. So if you practice Yoga and pranayams regularly, you will be less likely to succumb to diseases and lead a healthier life.
What a Healthy Diet Looks Like:
Eating a healthy diet that includes a variety of foods can have significant protective effects on your long-term health. Include two to three servings of protein per day, such as Tofu or Chickpeas, along with a couple of servings of healthy fats, such as Avocado, Olive Oil and nuts. "Have small servings of carbohydrates -- fruits, vegetables and millets -- along with small servings of low-fat or non-fat dairy. Include fruits and vegetables and at least 3 litres of water each day. You could also implement some sattvic or bland foods into your diet, to maintain a healthier way of living. We should always look at planning our meals based on our doshas, as our doshas are what help us maintain our good health," Dr Ashwini suggests.
