Week #1: Eating Healthy and Staying Hydrated (Part 1)

Hello blog! Today was my first day beginning my new habit for this week which is eating healthy and staying hydrated! Today I went to Better Health and bought a variety of healthy, natural foods to eat this week. Today I made sure to eat a balanced diet that included foods from the five food groups: dairy, vegetables, meat, fruit, and grain. When planning out my meals and snacks for the week, I made sure to stay away from as many processed foods as possible and limit my sugar intake. I also have been drinking a lot of water throughout the day! I am excited to try new recipes and expand my palate.

Throughout my research, I have found that eating a healthy, balanced diet is not just important for physical wellness, but also our mental wellness. The food we consume each day is what fuels our brain, which affects our mood. Studies have proved that nourishing our body protects our brain from oxidative stress, which can be very damaging to our body's cells. Having a high sugar intake can also lead to inflammation and stress as well as affect our mood. Dehydration has been shown to increase stress within the body. Staying hydrated has been proven to help reduce stress and relax our bodies, therefore drinking the correct amount of water is very important.

Since today is the first day I have been trying this new healthy diet and drinking a lot of water, I have not noticed any major changes. I have noticed that my body is already beginning to crave sugar, but it has not been anything extreme. I did feel more energized throughout the day today! It was also easier for me to focus when studying. So far, I have already been seeing positive changes and I am excited to see what else is to come!

Sources:

MD, Eva Selhub. “Nutritional Psychiatry: Your Brain on Food.” Harvard Health Blog, 31 Mar. 2020, www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-psychiatry-your-brain-on-food-201511168626.

Cox, Owen. “The Five Food Groups.” Eat For Health, 27 July 2015, www.eatforhealth.gov.au/food-essentials/five-food-groups.

Crowell, Jonathan W. “Water, Depression, and Anxiety.” Solara Mental Health, Jonathan W. Crowell /Wp-Content/Uploads/Sol-Logo-2.Jpg, 16 Jan. 2020, solaramentalhealth.com/can-drinking-enough-water-help-my-depression-and-anxiety/.