We talk a lot about preventive health, but sometimes it’s the small everyday choices that matter most. What we eat is certainly one of them. Recently, I made homemade vanilla ice cream with a just a handful of quality ingredients. It was simple, delicious, and got me to investigate what is actually in the ice cream we buy at the grocery store. Have you actually ever read the long list of ingredients? I had no idea.
READ LABELS
I’m not saying we shouldn’t enjoy ice cream, but when a simple food has got a long list of ingredients, it’s worth taking a second look. Shocking to me is that most commercial ice creams contain stabilizers, emulsifiers, artificial flavors, syrups, and other unidentifiable additives. It does make me wonder how much highly processed food we’ve made part of our everyday diet. We may be surprised if we just read the label.
FEED YOUR BODY
Our bodies are working for us every minute of every day. Our heart, brain, muscles, immune system, in every cell depend on the nutrients we give them. Food is more than calories. It provides the building blocks our bodies need to function. What we eat regularly can affect our energy, blood sugar, inflammation, cardiovascular health, weight, and how we feel in general. That doesn’t mean we have to eat perfectly. Life is meant to be enjoyed! My personal philosophy is simple: I eat well and I cheat well. When I want ice cream I’ll have some but we’ve learned to put homemade ice cream in a little demitasse cup and actually savor it. It’s a whole different experience than sitting on the couch with a carton full of preservatives and a fork!
SMALL CHANGES
You certainly don’t have to make everything from scratch or completely change the way you eat. Just start paying closer attention. Choose foods with ingredients you recognize. Eat plenty of nutrient dense foods. Limit highly processed foods and added sugars. And when you decide to have a treat, go ahead and enjoy it. Your health isn’t determined by one meal or bowl of ice cream. It’s shaped by the choices you make consistently.
IN SUMMARY
Healthy living isn’t about never having dessert or turning down things you love. It’s about being intentional about what you put into your body most of the time. Know what’s in your food, choose quality when you can, and leave room for a little fun. Taking care of your health shouldn’t mean taking the joy out of life. Eat well. Live well, when you cheat, cheat well!
VH AND HDD
At Vessel Health, we believe prevention starts with understanding your health and making informed choices before problems arise. At High Desert Diagnostics we provide diagnostic ultrasound services to give your healthcare provider a clearer picture of what’s happening inside your body. Take care of yourself today so you can enjoy more tomorrow’s. To learn more about Vessel Health call 505-828-3000 and High Desert Diagnostics at 505-350-3397. Bon appetit!