I am sure that, like me, you have found yourself struggling with some type of illness or disease. Actually, millions of people struggle with chronic health issues. With so many medical options to choose from, some people are confused about the best approach for eliminating health problems.
I have put this into practice with so many issues I have dealt with in the past. Did you know that I had very high cholesterol with triglycerides that were off the charts? I also suffered from high blood pressure to go along with that. All this while suffering from chronic migraines and a myriad of other types of annoying things that went along with all of this. Yes, I went down that pathway of many medications, yet still struggling to “keep my head above water.” I really didn’t want to be on medications for the rest of my life.
It was during this time period that I graduated as a certified health coach. It was absolutely eye-opening to me what some of our professors talked about and taught us. I knew I wanted to try something more natural to combat the diseases I was dealing with- alternative ways to find solutions. And I did!
One of the best ways to improve your health is to change your eating habits. This was definitely the case for me. I found out that food can be used to treat various illnesses. (Disclaimer here: While this worked for me, please check with your physician before making changes to your diet.)
Some people only want to change their diet to lose weight. However, there are more potential health benefits than just weight loss. And while I did have the added benefit of sustainable weight loss with my lifestyle change, I was able to get off my medications and normalize my blood pressure and cholesterol. (Of course, exercise also played a role in this lifestyle change – but that’s for another time!)
Millions of people struggle with chronic health issues. With so many medical options to choose from, some people are confused about the best approach for eliminating health problems. One of the best ways to improve a person’s health is to change their eating habits. Food can be used to treat various illnesses. Some people only want to change their diet to lose weight. However, there are more potential health benefits than just weight loss.
Eliminating Sugar
Sugar is in nearly every processed food. Various studies indicate that overeating sugar can cause numerous health issues. Eliminating sugar from a person’s diet can provide multiple health benefits. Some people notice an improvement in their energy after removing sugar for several days. Although a person may see an initial decrease in energy, most people feel better over time by eliminating processed sugar.
A full elimination diet can be hard to follow. As a result, many people have better success by slowly phasing out sugar from their diet.
Manage Stress with Food
Many people have chronic stress that is difficult to deal with. I know I have dealt with this a lot throughout my life. With my personality type, I can often find myself in a constant state of stress! Although taking a prescription can help with this issue, changing the diet, in my opinion, is a much better approach. Several food choices are available for people who want to reduce or eliminate their stress. (There are also many great relaxation techniques you can use to manage stress.)
Dark chocolate has numerous health benefits. Not only does the food taste great, but it provides multiple vitamins and minerals. Some people wrongly assume that chocolate causes health issues. However, dark chocolate does not contain a lot of sugar. Adding dark chocolate to a person’s diet is an excellent way to add variety.
Blueberries have also been proven to reduce stress. Blueberries contain numerous vitamins and minerals. This food is one of the best sources of antioxidants that a person can eat. Anyone who is struggling with stress should consider adding more blueberries to their diet.
Beating Depression
Millions of people struggle with anxiety and depression. Living a healthy lifestyle can help some people improve these symptoms. I know it sounds too simple, but oatmeal is an excellent option for people who struggle with depression or anxiety. Eating oatmeal releases serotonin in the body. This is the same chemical reaction that occurs from taking an antidepressant. Oatmeal has also been proven to help regulate blood glucose. It is a complex carbohydrate that provides a lot of energy to the body.
Although enduring a chronic health issue can be challenging, there are numerous healthy food options that people can choose.
If you would like more information, I would love to talk to you further about this. Please schedule a free call with me here.
Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 3/4 cup almond milk
- 1 Tbsp. chia seeds
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp. real maple syrup optional
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries hulled and sliced
- 1 lg. banana peeled and sliced
- 1/8 tsp. sea salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
- Divide mixture between two pint-sized wide-mouth glass mason jars with tight-fitting lids. Secure lids and place in the refrigerator overnight.
- To serve, remove from refrigerator and stir well.
Notes