Achieving optimal health with a holistic approach
How can we achieve optimal health through a holistic approach? Let's dive a little bit deeper into these 6 foundations to learn.
THE FOUNDATIONS
These six “nutritional foundations” must be in balance for us to experience optimal health. Let’s dive a little bit deeper into each one.
1. NUTRITION
Eating nutrient dense, whole foods will provide our body with fuel and those building blocks needed to really maintain health and balance. This means incorporating a wide range of whole foods, like fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, eggs, seafood, nuts, seeds, grains and legumes.
2. DIGESTION
Of course, whatever we put in our mouth must be broken down and absorbed into our body. Digestion begins in the brain and it’s not done until whatever our body doesn’t want gets eliminated. Yup we should be having regular poops (insert emoji)
3. BLOOD SUGAR REGULATION
Do you feeling tired? Lethargic? Cranky? Or Hangry? Too little glucose in our blood could cause these disregulations. The goal is to ensure balanced blood sugar levels by eating enough food, reducing stress, getting enough good sleep and moving our body.
4. FATTY ACIDS
Ohhh yes those “fats”. So many want to be afraid of “fatty foods” but guess what, we need those essential fats found in animals and plant foods. Fats are a good source of energy, help with inflammation, help us feel full longer and lets be real- butter makes everything taste better (insert wink emoji)
5. MINERAL BALANCE
We cannot make minerals on our own, so we must get them from foods and drinks we consume. Some common ones are calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium but there are so many more. The best way to get them is *surprise, surprise* eating a variety of whole foods and drinking mineral rich aqua.
6. HYDRATION
We all remember learning that water makes up 60% of human body mass at some point in school right? Our bodies need water, but slow down- don’t go just chug a gallon. The missing link is that our bodies have to be able to absorb the water we drink which means making sure there are electrolytes in our lovely water.
Written by: Maria Martens, Black Iron Nutrition Coach