Health Is Wealth
- Aug 12, 2021
- 4 min read
Written by: Dilys Brighty-Schmidt, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
I am sure everyone has heard the saying “Your Health is Your Wealth,” meaning, in essence, that without good and robust health, the quality of our life can be impacted on a work level and also on a mental level. If we are not feeling well or experiencing illness, our work lives can be very much impacted, with days away from the job and loss of revenue if we cannot continue to work.
Lack of motivation and confidence, and in many cases, depression can also ensue, increasing our stress and ill health. You don’t necessarily have to be older to have ill health, but as we get older and perhaps less able to bounce back from illness, it is important to see how, as individuals, we can implement some important lifestyle behaviors to boost our immune systems and sustain good health and well being.
Today, I am concentrating on what it means to have a healthy and nutrient-based diet that not only helps your body’s own defense mechanism against illness but also creates more energy and a feeling of wellness.
There are many diets to choose from, but I feel it is better to understand your food groups better, which will enable you to hone in on a diet that is not so heavy in carbohydrates such as rice, bread, potatoes, and sugar.
It’s not that these foods need to be eliminated completely unless a diet change is necessary if, for example, there are heart health issues or diabetes. It’s just that by increasing your vegetables, such as the complex carbohydrate, colored, and sulfur vegetables, your body will decrease its sugar content and thus fat content.
Also, if you are overindulging in foods heavy with refined sugars, such as sugary beverages, pastries, or refined bread, perhaps cutting down on these foods and drinks and substituting them for fruits and healthier beverages will help increase your energy and vitality.
Try and drink more water on a daily basis to offset a craving for sweetened drinks.
Proteins are essential in your diet, but it should be understood that eating healthier, smaller, and leaner portions of meat are much better for you. Also, there are other sources of protein in nuts, beans, dairy products, cereals, and grains. Don’t forget your fish, which helps you with your omega intake.
Another way to create good eating habits is finding out which foods give you energy. I am sure everyone has experienced that afternoon slump after lunch. Heavy carbs break down into sugars, which in turn can leave the body feeling tired and heavy. Also, acidic vs. alkaline foods can create a feeling of heaviness during the day. We have internal homeostasis of 6-7 ph, so keeping a well-balanced diet really helps to maintain good energy levels and health. Overall, acidic foods such as meats, dairy foods, etc., should be in proportion to more alkaline foods, such as fruits, nuts, legumes, and vegetables which will increase your energy levels and stop that afternoon slump.
So what can you do to start eating healthier and having more energy in your life?
Hydration: It’s really important to keep hydrated. Drink at least 64 oz of water per day. Drinking plenty of water not only keeps your body healthy, but it will also boost your energy levels.
Eating vegetables of the more sulfurous kind, such as cabbage, brussel sprouts, kale, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, bok choy, etc., will boost your immune system, help with fat digestion, control the metabolism of carbs and help to rid the waste from the body.
Immune Boosters: Fresh or organic (if possible) fruits that are rich in antioxidants and vitamins to protect your body from free radicals. This is especially true in berries such as blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries.
Introducing Heart Healthy Fatty-Acids into your diet: As we age, the harder it is for our bodies to pump blood to the heart and brain. As age slows down the body’s functioning, it can put a strain on our heart and immune system. The good news is that Omega-3 found in fatty fish such as salmon, river trout, mackerel, and tuna are nature’s gift to better health.
More Foods for your Best Health:
Oatmeal - a wonderful fiber for your body.
Nuts - rich in vitamin E, antioxidants to help protect your cells
Beans - keeps red blood cells healthy and ensures oxygen can be delivered to brain cells
Avocado - a mono-unsaturated fat. Helps promote healthy circulation and blood flow to the brain
Peanut Butter - provides a great dose of vitamin E
Eggs - have memory-boosting choline for muscles and lutein for your eyesight
So a good insight as to how you can keep your health and your wealth, to maintain the energy and vitality that we all need for a healthy body and mind.
Thank you for reading. Please feel free to contact me if you have any ongoing dietary issues you would like to discuss. I also have programs for Diabetes and Heart Health and would be more than happy to discuss your own wants for a healthier lifestyle.
Remember: Transformation Begins With You!
Dilys Brighty-Schmidt – Health and Life Coach
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Dilys Brighty-Schmidt, Executive Contributor, Brainz Magazine Dilys Brighty-Schmidt is a Transformational Health and Life Coach who is dedicated to helping women 50+ and beyond achieve success in their health, fitness, and life situations that need change, more commitment, and nourishment. Her coaching also includes Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Health programs, two major health problems that increase with age. Through her previous work as a diet consultant for over six years with a brand diet company in the USA, she realized how difficult it was for many clients to sustain their weight loss or reach their goals. Health and Life Coaching have given her that much-needed knowledge to help her clients understand that lifestyle changes and habits and behavior changes are instrumental in their success. Her mantra is “Transformation Begins With You.”
