We’re taught from a young age that the food we eat becomes the fuel for our bodies. And as we grow up and take science classes, we learn how our body breaks down our food and uses that for energy.
And while we may enforce a better diet on kids to help them grow, some adults don’t follow that rule. Many adults will turn to eat foods that aren’t as nutritious, even though it’s still just as important.
So, how can your nutrition impact your health? Here’s a brief guide on how the foods you eat affect your health in preventative and recovery ways.
How Does Your Nutrition Prevent Bad Health?
When people think about eating well, it typically means they think about how they should eat better. They don’t often think about how the food they eat affects their body in the present or future, just that they should be eating well.
However, having a good diet includes eating foods that your body can turn into energy and supports your bodily functions. Eating nutritious food can often help you in your daily life by giving you more energy, but it can also help with your long-term health.
Some health problems that you can avoid with a nutritious diet include:
- Heart disease
- Strokes
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Gallbladder problems
- Osteoporosis
- Sleep apnea
- Gout
- Certain cancers
How Can Nutrition Help During Illness?
Nutrition during major illnesses or after injuries is crucial for a better recovery. Eating goods such as citrus fruits, broccoli, and garlic can help boost your immune system and help you get better sooner than expected.
Giving your body the fuel it needs to recover is key to getting better. When a functional medicine doctor is evaluating what you should do for better nutrition after an illness, they’ll consider the following:
- Your medical history
- Your symptoms
- Your activity level and lifestyle
- A physical examination
- Ordering lab tests to find the root cause of symptoms
