#Myth: The Perfect Diet

 

Over the last couple of years, the topics relating to health, wellness and nutrition have been nothing short of VERY CONFUSING.

Who can blame us? New scientific research is constantly being released for the average person to interpret (or a least…try to), new diet trends have made their way onto the Internet only to blow up our social media and influence (confuse) us, and new & innovative foods are continuously being introduced to the market. Leaving us wondering…

Is there such a thing as the “perfect” diet?

Our favourite celebrities, peers and family members might be able to provide us with their versions of an answer, but in reality, it’s much more subjective than they might think. After all, “health” is determined by so many varying factors:

  • Our gender

  • Our weight 

  • Our age 

  • Our medical condition

  • The environment we live in

  • Our income

  • Our social status

  • The culture we grew up in

How could the term “healthy” be narrowed down to just a single way of eating/living?

While we might not have all the answers, here’s what we know for sure:

1. Exercise Often

Exercise allows our bodies to release endorphins, which helps keep us alert, improve our overall mood as well as reduce the risk of developing several chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and stroke.

2. Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is essential to help maintain proper fluid balance, protect our joints & organs, control our bodies’ internal temperature as well as keeping us up & at ‘em throughout the day.

3. Cook More Often

Cooking allows us to develop new skills in the kitchen. It’s also a great stepping stone to developing healthier eating habits in the long run. You are what you eat! And when you cook for yourself, you can control how much you eat and how much is in what you eat. 

Always be sure to consult with a health professional when addressing any of your health-related concerns.

Instagrammers, YouTubers, fitness entrepreneurs and so-called “health consultants/coaches” can often provide false or misleading information backed up by very little to no evidence-based research. Health professionals are trained to be able to address and face their patient’s realities.

Finally, it’s important to remember that everyone is built differently. We all have different needs, backgrounds and tastes. So find and stick to what feels good for YOU.

There is no universal diet, only ways to improve it. 

Source(s): 

Pour la version française, cliquez ici.

 
Laura Nguyen