Diet & Nutrition

Let’s face it… Most people know what a good diet looks like, yet very few people actually eat well. We all know that sugar, junk food and alcohol are bad for us. Yet, many people consume these foods and drinks on a daily basis. Why is it that eating well is so difficult?

Let’s begin with sugar. Processed sugar and complex carbohydrates can affect the pancreas, which may result in insulin resistance and lead to diabetes. Sugar from fruits and vegetables is good for us, but in moderation. It’s important that we get the right amount of carbohydrates in our diet.

Sugar can also affect the hormonal system, in particular the adrenal glands and thyroid. It can interfere with the secretion of hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline.

And obviously sugar can lead to weight gain and diabetes. Sugar is used as an immediate energy source. If your diet is too high in sugar or carbohydrates, your body will burn sugar first, and it store fat instead of burning it. Obesity is quickly becoming one of the most prevalent epidemics in the world, and in many cases will lead to illness and death.

The other thing that sugar does is it creates inflammation. Inflammation in the walls of the arteries can lead to atherosclerosis (plaque formation), which results in narrowing of the arterial walls and ultimately cardiovascular disease. It is easy to see how damaging sugar can be.

Gluten is another food that is highly inflammatory and impacts our body in many ways. Found in in grains such as wheat, barley and rye, gluten can get stuck in many of the tissues in your body, and cross the barrier protection systems to enter the blood vessels, leading to an autoimmune response. Symptoms of gluten intolerance include headaches, muscle aches, poor concentration, brain fog, a lack of energy, bloating and much more.

As with gluten, dairy is also highly inflammatory and can lead to a number of conditions such as mucous production, sinus congestion, ache and diarrhoea. Lactose is the sugar in dairy, whilst caesin is the protein. One or both can affect people, so when people say they are not lactose intolerant, it may actually be the protein that is affecting them.

Alcohol, smoking, vaping, drugs and medications can also have a major impact on not only your gut health, but your overall health in general.

There are a number of simple steps that you can take to improve your diet. Firstly, make sure you are eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Most of your vitamins and minerals come from these foods. Lean meat and seafood is also important, as the body requires animal protein to form the building blocks of our muscles.

Eating a fresh, clean diet will make an enormous improvement to your health and wellbeing in the short and long-term. Take baby steps if required to alter your diet so that you don’t get overwhelmed. Your diet is what you eat, and what you eat is what your body is made up of, so make sure you fuel your. body properly.

I will work with you to determine what foods might be impacting your health, and I will assist you in changing your diet according to your needs. I will give you the tools that you need to make the required changes to your diet, and I will help you implement the habits that will help you live a healthy life naturally.