When I talk about fitness, as with many people, I tend to gravitate towards physical activity. Exercise. This is only natural, as it’s mostly what comes to mind. However, physical fitness — holistic health and wellness — is also deeply tied to nutrition. I’ve been fairly open about my health journey. I became an endurance runner. For me, it’s never been about having all of my gains in one area or even being the best.
It’s about increasing my quality of life as well as the length of it. It’s about being able to keep up with my college-aged son, and looking ahead, keeping up (someday) with rowdy grandchildren. I want to be healthy for my own sake as much as for my family’s sake.
That’s why I’ve come to realize that being healthy isn’t just about how many miles I can run. It’s about what I eat, too.
What is Good Nutrition?
Most of us have a pretty rudimentary understanding of what it means to eat healthily. We know to avoid fast food, fried foods, saturated fats, and too much sugar. We know to drink in moderation and control our portions. The question, though is why? If we don’t know the why — if we lack the proper motivation — it’s going to be more and more challenging to avoid those tasty-but-terrible-for-you foods.
Here’s 5 reasons why your nutritional intake matters:
1) Poor Health Costs Big
I’m a money guy. I like to think in terms of numbers. So when I consider motivations to eat healthily and get exercise, I think about what it would cost me to do differently. The fact of the matter is, it’s more expensive to be unhealthy. Whether that means you’re overweight or eating junk all the time, it will cost you in the long run. Preventative care is real. Some 75 percent of the $2.1 trillion spent in medical care in 2007 went towards treating preventable conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Obesity costs $147 billion in healthcare costs each year. A lack of physical activity? $117 billion per year.
Even if the fast and processed foods might seem like they’re saving money in the short-term, they’re likely to cost you in the long haul.
2) Age Gracefully
Not only do certain foods help in terms of externalaging (foods with antioxidants, natural collagen, and certain skin-saving vitamins and minerals) by aiding in cell turnover and regeneration, but many foods can help us cognitively as we age. Many studies show that what you eat can play a role in preventing dementia and Alzheimer's. Combined with regular exercise (like running), you can greatly improve your chances of retaining cognitive function, even as you age.
3) Have More Energy
Nutritionally-rich foods are far better for fueling the body. Whole grains, for example, are made up of complex carbohydrates that digest and break down slowly, offering the body long-term energy — longer than the sugar boost you’d get from that highly processed flour donut! Vitamins and minerals, along with water intake, help the body function at an optimal level while also preventing the consequences of deficiencies, such as fatigue and irritability.
4) Manage Weight Effectively
This one should be obvious, but I’ll mention it anyway. The more nutritionally-dense your foods are, the more full you’ll be. “Empty” calories in processed junk foods are just that — empty. You’ll eat and eat but find yourself unsatisfied and hungry again in no time. Such a big part of weight management is in portion control and limiting caloric intake. You can do this more effectively when eating high-quality foods.
5) Increase Your Quality of Life
Ever eat fried fast food and find yourself feeling “gross”? Even depressed? There’s a reason for that. What we eat — even down to our macro breakdown — impacts how we feel. Sometimes we call things “brain food.” What we eat truly is fuel for our brains — the most important organ in the body.
Are you giving your brain quality fuel, or are you going for the cheap stuff? Serotonin, for example, is a chemical in the brain responsible for sleep quality, appetite, mood balance, and pain management. 95 percent of serotonin is produced in our digestive systems. What we eat also influences inflammation in the body, which, in turn, can influence mood.
At the end of the day, we all feel better physically and emotionally when we prioritize nutrition and eating well.
How do you prioritize good nutrition in your daily life? Share your tips in the comments.