Changing up one's eating habits can lead to better health.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends and food. Because that food is often so good, many people eat bigger meals than usual on the holiday.
It’s important to remember what that big meal will do to your body. If you want to lose some post-Thanksgiving pounds, there are easy ways to help achieve that goal.
Think “small”
Small plates provide all the flavor of a full-sized meal without all the calories.
Designed to be eaten with deliberate awareness of each bite, the small plate can be a healthy way to minimize excess calories while enjoying the fullness of life.
Eat your carrots
Three carrots provide enough energy and nutrients for a three-mile run. Well-known for eye health benefits, the humble carrot has also been shown to reduce the risk of lung, breast and colon cancers, according to researchers at the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences.
An excellent source of antioxidants, carrots are also rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B8, pantothenic acid, folate, potassium, iron, copper and manganese. Antioxidants slow down the aging of human cells.
Add raw or cooked carrots to lunch and dinner. Cooked carrots release their nutrients in the human digestive system much easier than raw carrots, however.
Posture makes all the difference
A recent Harvard study links posture with stress and self-confidence. Those who adopted a powerful posture with open shoulders and straight spines showed a 20% increase in testosterone levels and a 25% decrease in cortisol levels. Those who slouch exhibited a 10% decrease in testosterone and a 15% increase in cortisol.
Why is this important? Posture affects attitude and mood, along with self-image.
We are what we drink
Over two thirds of the human body is water. Water influences 100% of all bodily functions, such as metabolism, digestion, the circulatory system, the lungs and the nervous system. Staying hydrated is a key to good health, especially in the warmer temperatures of Florida.
Drink water to give a quick pick-me-up in the afternoon instead of a sugary drink, or even eating food. Many times, thirst can be mistaken for hunger, which just adds more calories into our daily routine.
Try eight ounces of water before meals to assist with weight loss and reduce your daily food intake. Water powers our warm-weather exercise and keeps the digestive tract moving smoothly.
Is ice cream good for you?
This question comes to me from my youngest known reader, Angie. The second-grader wants to know if ice cream is good for her. Of course, I want to tell Angie to enjoy her ice cream, but what do the facts say?
Ice cream has a lot going for it. An excellent source of vitamins, ice cream also provides healthy minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus. Calcium also has been shown to reduce the occurrence of colon cancer.
Besides being a source of energy for all ages, ice cream is enjoyable to eat. With this enjoyment comes decreased stress, which stimulates creative thinking. It sounds like a moderate amount of quality ice cream is an excellent addition to Angie’s diet.
Jennifer E. Closshey, Ph.D., is a doctor of integrative health based out of Plant City. Contact her at JenniferClosshey@gmail.com.
