Bridge the Gap to Wellness

Hi Ladies,

There are many components that make up a holistic wellness journey. One of the major components of wellness is a balanced diet. Maintaining a balanced diet can sometimes feel complex. There are so many opinions on what a balanced diet consists of. Lucky for you, I like to keep things, scientific, simple, and practical. A balanced diet is essential in fueling your body on your wellness journey. When trying to decide what you should include in your daily diet, keep it simple and focus on three macronutrients for every meal. Each meal should include protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Consuming the recommended amount of protein, carbs, and fat daily is key for women who desire hormone, metabolic, and immune balance.

Protein provides your body with the nutrients to build healthy cells that give your body energy and help boost your immune system. If one of your goals on your wellness journey is weight loss, protein can help you feel full and satisfied. The amount of protein you need daily depends on your age, weight, activity level, and pregnancy status. Some common sources of protein include chicken, salmon, eggs, lentils, nuts, and beef. I also recommend that you consider incorporating non-traditional sources of protein in your diets such as green peas, broccoli, and seeds.

Fats should make up 20-35% of your dietary intake daily. I encourage you to choose healthy fat food sources. Consuming high levels of saturated fats can lead to high cholesterol, heart disease, and stroke. Some healthy fat options to consider incorporating into your diet include avocados, walnuts, almonds, seed butters, and flaxseed. If your body is not provided with enough healthy fat, it can result in low energy levels; the inability to absorb vitamins; mental fatigue; and feelings of constant hunger.

Carbohydrates are an essential part of a healthy diet and should not be completely removed from your daily diet. The body needs carbohydrates to help fuel and to function properly. Instead of avoiding carbohydrates, incorporate healthy carbohydrates into your diet. When planning your meals and snacks, choose whole-food carbohydrates when possible. Healthy carbohydrate options to include in your nutritional plan include sweet potatoes, quinoa, brown rice, oats, fruits, and vegetables.

When you are on your wellness journey, it is essential to fuel your body with a healthy well-balanced diet. Insufficient nutrition can affect sleep, hormones, weight management, and mood. Without proper nutrition, it is impossible to bridge the gap between setting wellness goals and actually reaching your wellness goals. Stop following diet trends, and make a decision to fuel your body with the nutrients your body requires to make wellness your best accessory.

Your Sister in Wellness,

Lauren