The relationship between diet and health
Health comes in numerous forms and can be viewed through a variety of lenses, including physical, emotional, and psychological health.
But what do these types of well-being have in common? What is the single determining factor that can define your long-term health on both mental and physical planes? The answer is nutrition.
The old adage stating that you are what you eat stands the test of time and is becoming increasingly important as the modern, hectic way of life puts more and more stress on our shoulders.
Your diet can influence a myriad bodily processes ranging from physiological to psychological, so it’s about time you assess your daily performance and habits in order to figure out whether or not your eating habits are doing you more harm than good.
1. You’re sad with signs of depression
Depression can creep up on you over a period of time without you even realizing it, and even though there are ways to fight it other than with proper nutrition, we cannot deny that diet does significantly influence your psychological well-being.
In fact, studies have found a direct correlation between diet and depression, so make sure you read the signs and opt to change your regime if you’re feeling sad or depressed.
2. You feel constantly tired
A calorie is not just a calorie regardless of its source, as macro and micronutrients found in foods can have a profound impact on your energy levels.
If you’re feeling tired, sluggish, and sleepy all the time then you should consider upping your complex carb intake, along with proteins and healthy fats in order to boost your energy levels.
3. You’re gassy and bloated
Nutrition is about the only thing that can make you feel gassy or bloated, save for the few anxiety and stress factors. What’s important to keep in mind is that your body is unique, and it responds differently to certain foods.
So, if you feel gassy or bloated when you eat or drink dairy products, you might be lactose intolerant. The same goes for any food source really, so be sure to experiment with your diet to find out what suits you best.
4. Experiencing cramps and constipation?
If diet can influence any process in your body, it’s definitely your bowel movement. So much so, that foods that don’t sit well with you can either cause diarrhea or constipation.
If you’re experiencing the latter on a regular basis, then your body is probably lacking fiber, the essential nutrient that regulates your digestive processes. So, consider adding beans, whole grains, and dark leafy vegetables to your diet.
5. You’re always hungry
Believe it or not, you might be stuffing yourself with food on a daily basis and still feel hungry at the time. This is because you’re not supplying your body with the nutrients it needs, so your brain is putting out a signal that you need to consume more food.
Not only is this making you gain unnecessary weight, but if you don’t start eating quality foods, you will never be able to stop this vicious cycle.
6. You can’t lose weight no matter what
Men either struggle with putting on size or cutting unwanted body fat. Either way, your diet will play a key role in sculpting your physique.
When trying to lose weight, you should not only decrease your weekly caloric intake, but you should also stick to healthy meal plans in order to make cutting calories much easier. By eating the right foods, you will be supplying your body with the nutrients it needs without gaining unwanted weight.
7. Your gym performance is suffering
There are numerous physical and psychological reasons why you shouldn’t ditch the gym, but sometimes you might feel like you’re simply unable to carry on with your training routine no matter how hard you push yourself.
Sometimes, your performance starts to decrease for no apparent reason. If that is the case, you might want to assess your nutrition and check if you’re eating enough calories to support your frame and if you’re getting the right macro and micronutrients in on a daily basis.
8. How’s your complexion?
It comes as no surprise that your diet can have a profound impact on your skin tone, making your skin age prematurely and develop wrinkles and acne.
Research has concluded that Vitamin A deficiency can negatively affect the quality of your skin so make sure you get plenty of Vitamin A rich foods in your diet such as carrots, kale, eggs, dairy, and sweet potatoes.
9. You lack mental clarity and focus
Love fast food? Well, your brain actually doesn’t. Poor diet choices can significantly influence your cognitive abilities, decreasing mental acuity and focus, and thus impairing your daily performance and productivity.
Simply stick to healthy foods, say goodbye to saturated fats, and you will be back to your normal, Alpha self in no time.
10.You’re constantly sick
Finally, if you’re constantly getting sick, your diet might be to blame. Given that protein is one of the essential macronutrients responsible for immune system development, it only stands to reason that you should consume enough of it to maintain your health and boost your immune response.
Aside from the obvious reasons of preserving and building muscle mass in and out of the gym, of course.
Your health, daily performance, and general well-being are the reflection of your diet habits.
Simple as that. If you notice any of these symptoms, be sure to change your eating habits in order to improve your physical, psychological, and emotional well-being and pave the road to a healthy, vibrant future.
Peter is a lifestyle writer at Gentleman Zone magazine, living between Europe and Australia. Follow Peter on Twitter for more tips.
