When we hear of malnutrition or undernutrition, famine and food insecurities – most prevalent in the developing world and perhaps among the poorest in more advanced societies – come to mind. Less attention is paid to the fact that lack of important nutrients in fast food and snacks, especially if they are the main or sole dietary source, can lead to symptoms similar to actual hunger. The consequences are just as devastating, even when they are not as obvious at first sight.
The perception that healthier foods like fruits and vegetables are less palatable than, let’s say, comfort food, is widespread. Research has long shown how fat, salt and sugar trigger pleasure responses in the human brain and add to the enjoyment of eating. Eliminating or reducing these ingredients obviously will send out signals that something is amiss.
“Let food be your medicine” is a well-known quotation by Hippocrates, a physician and philosopher who lived in ancient Greece and is commonly considered the forefather of modern medical practice. But while the evidence supporting the benefits of wholesome nutrition is overwhelming, there is still not enough research being done to back it up as a primary mode in fighting disease and preventing illness. In other words, an entire segment of potential treatment options is being ignored. Thankfully, there are signs that things are finally changing.
There is nothing magic about eating right, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, or managing stress. We all know that those are crucial elements of a health-promoting lifestyle. So why are so many of us seemingly unable to make them a reality? As some experts suggest, it may all be a matter of thinking styles, of getting into the right mindset.
Food is not cheap. High quality food can be prohibitively expensive. Even people who want to improve their diet may be prevented from doing so because of the costs involved. There are ways to stretch a limited budget, but that takes time, knowledge and careful planning. For most consumers, money foremost determines what goes on their plate. No nutritional guidelines or recommendations can ignore that simple fact.
Millennials are said to be particularly discerning in their choices, from where and how they like to work to what they shop for and what they eat. But this insistence on always having one’s needs met is sooner or later bound to encounter a reality check, experts warn. In an era of exceedingly high expectations, millennials are already experiencing unprecedented levels of anxiety and depression, leading all too often to dysfunctional behavior, including towards diet and lifestyle.
Winter weather makes most of us apprehensive about getting a cold or the flu, and often enough those fears are justified. No matter how religiously we wash our hands, keep our distance from others who already have the sniffles, or try to fortify our immune system with extra doses of vitamins, it seems to be a losing battle year after year. Yet some folks never appear to get affected. They just sail through this treacherous season without a hitch. How do these lucky few do it?