Is Your Diet Feeding Disease or Fighting It?

Over 50% of Americans report being on a specific diet at some point in 2022 – and chances are you have done the same at one point in time. Whether it’s calorie restriction, low-carbohydrate, or intermittent fasting, dieting trends can become very popular for a variety of reasons, especially weight loss. Most people think being on a diet is good for their health – but what if that isn’t true?

Diets are often ineffective and unsustainable, and while you may lose weight quickly, most people gain it back and end up in a cycle of weight loss and gain that can have a negative impact on long-term health. Instead, a true focus on health involves incorporating healthy habits into your daily routine and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. With the help of a Charlotte chiropractor, you can do just that.

You can begin to understand the importance of what you put in your body and how everything you consume has an effect on your body function and overall health. Sugar does nothing but feed disease and wreak havoc on bodily systems, whereas certain nutrients have only benefits that serve to help your body function better. Knowing the impact of what you eat and drink can be a big motivator in helping you make better choices to feed and fuel your body, all the while fighting disease naturally.

THE PROBLEM WITH DIETS

By definition, a diet is any course of food that involves restriction, usually with the goal of weight loss. Technically, anything can be a diet, like eating vegan foods or avoiding gluten. But the term usually refers to special sets of “rules” designed around the idea of one healthy eating pattern.

Diets tend to go in and out of fashion. For example, decades ago, it was believed that fats should always be avoided, though we now know many fats are good for us. Others focus on cutting out certain food groups or eating in a certain cadence.

Many of these diets have merits and are based in nutritional facts. But research shows that diets are not effective when used in this way – you may lose weight and feel healthy during the restriction, but when it inevitably ends, you can return to previous issues and weight. This back and forth can lead to permanent issues with your metabolism and health.  

WHAT HEALTHY HABITS LOOK LIKE

Of course, what you put into your body is extremely important for your health. The key is to focus on habits that can be sustained for the long term, making gradual changes to incorporate them.

Your exact dietary needs may vary based on your personal health concerns, and you should always work with your chiropractor and other doctors to determine your needs. But in general, some healthy habits you can consider include:

  • Drink lots of water – your body absolutely needs water, and without it, processes, systems, and organs cannot function the way they are meant to.
  • Incorporate many fruits and vegetables into your diet – the more colors, the better.
  • Avoid processed foods and refined sugar in large amounts – these literally feed diseases and sicknesses and don’t provide any nutritional benefit.
  • Engage in regular physical activity – this is essential for keeping everything working properly and taking good care of yourself both short-term and long-term.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR LONG-TERM HEALTH

At Greater Life Chiropractic, we are passionate about holistic health and wellness. This means Dr. Grant Lisetor is happy to talk with you about basic nutrition and what this can look like for you. Additionally, adjustments are a key component of wellness, ensuring your body can function properly in all areas, including your metabolism and ability to exercise.

As you begin working towards a more holistic view of health, be sure to make an appointment with Greater Life Chiropractic today to begin forming better habits.

Sources

Pike, A. “2022 Food and Health Survey Spotlight: Eating Patterns.” Food Insight, 2022 July. https://foodinsight.org/2022-food-and-health-survey-results-a-focus-on-eating-patterns/

Reier, R. “Every time you eat or drink, you are either feeding disease or fighting it.” Healthy Harford, 2018 May. https://www.healthyharford.org/beware-diet-is-a-four-letter-word