In a world where fast-paced lifestyles and convenience often win, cultivating lifelong nutrition habits becomes even more vital. The choices we make on a daily basis play a pivotal role in shaping our long-term health outcomes. Forming good nutrition habits is like making an investment in your future—an investment that pays dividends in the form of enhanced vitality, resilience, and an elevated quality of life.
In this edition of Workday Wellness, we’ll delve into the profound impact of lifelong nutrition habits, exploring how they act as a powerful tool in living (and aging) gracefully. Check out these nutrition numbers and all-new tips to get yourself on the fast track to healthier living today:
Nutrition Numbers Never Lie
- 9 in 10 Americans consume more than the recommended 2,300 mg of sodium daily†
- Sodium contributes to over 500,000 deaths per year from heart-related conditions caused by high blood pressure.‡
- Fewer than 1 in 10 Americans eat enough fruits and vegetables daily†
- The average American eats over 100 grams of sugar every day (twice the recommended amount)‡
- 96 million adults (1 in 3) are pre-diabetic†
- Only 7% of Americans are meeting the recommended daily fiber intake
- In the last 30 years, obesity rates havedoubled in adults, tripled in children, and quadrupled in adolescents*
7 Ways to Boost Nutrition
- Eat more beans! They’re a great source of plant-based protein that can support heart health.
- Guard your gut biome with probiotics, limiting raw foods, processed sugars, and excessive dairy intake.
- Don’t skip the coffee! Coffee is rich in antioxidants and linked to longevity and a reduced risk of diabetes.
- Get good sleep. Poor sleep is one of the strongest individual risk factors for weight gain and obesity.
- Eat more whole grains! Limit refined carbs from processed corn, flour, and added sugars.
- Kick it up a notch! Certain herbs and spices, like ginger and turmeric, have potent anti-inflammatory properties and just as much flavor as salt, without the added sodium.
- Taste the rainbow! Aim for including a variety of colors on every plate you eat through adding various fruits or vegetables to your recipes.
As we navigate our lives, the nutritional choices we make stand as a compass guiding us towards a future of healthiness and happiness. By recognizing the symbiotic relationship between our dietary decisions and our overall quality of life, we pave the way for not only limiting health problems, but also thriving by living a life well-nourished.
Additional Sources
† https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/nutrition.html
‡ https://www.greatgreenwall.org/supplements/food-nutrition-statistics/
* https://www.cspinet.org/eating-healthy/why-good-nutrition-important