It’s that time of year again! The time when festivities are all around, football games take over the TV, we get to break out our boots and sweaters, and cabinets are stocked full of chocolate candy bars and goodies for the trick-or-treaters. (They are for the trick-or-treaters, right?) Chandler-based fitness influencer, model, writer and mom-of-two, Lori Young, shares the importance of incorporating whole foods into your diet during this indulgent time of year.
One thing that I do to avoid giving into the craving of diving into the stash of chocolatey goodness is to remind myself how the temporary satisfaction will make me feel afterwards. It’s only temporary and after eating you may feel sluggish, unmotivated, find it harder to focus and just feel BLAH. You are adding extra calories to your diet that have no essential nutrients to help your body function at its best.
On a larger scale, according to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, too much sugar increases your risk of obesity, which ups your risk of diabetes and may even increase your risk of certain cancers and chronic illnesses like heart disease.
Though it is good to treat yourself guilt-free from time to time with processed foods such as candy, your body will feel its absolute best when it is nourished with whole, real foods that are free of chemical additives and are rich in nutrients. Also, because I am all about aging gracefully, whole foods are much better for your skin. Some studies show that eating more veggies, fish, beans and olive oil may help reduce wrinkles, loss of elasticity and other age-related skin changes.
So next time that candy is calling your name, I hope this arms you with some information to stay strong and not overindulge to the point of regret. Enjoying in moderation is the key to living a healthy lifestyle.