| 5-min read |
BUDGET EATS
IN THE BAY
AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT A BALANCED DIET LOOKS LIKE, AND HOW TO HAVE IT ON A BUDGET. - By Meagan Stachnik -
C
hiropractic students will undergo various nutrition classes and health studies on how to appropriately guide patients in their quest for a healthy diet and lifestyle. Chiropractors should be practicing what we preach but how does a student who is currently in crippling debt, have zero spare time and live in an environment where the housing market could be considered exponential, truly live a healthy lifestyle? We need resources that are sustainable and don’t break the bank. What benefits does a balanced diet provide? Well for starters, it prevents disease and infection, such as cardiovascular disease. Our body utilizes and processes the necessary vitamins and minerals through the blood and tissues without blockage or depletion of essential nutrients. An added benefit is the ability to control weight. If we limit processed foods and continue with a balanced diet, we are able to control weight variability for the long-term. Researchers state that 90% of our exercise regime should be focused on the kitchen while the 10% is truly exercise-based. When we nourish our bodies post-workout we are replenishing our body stores correctly and providing ample opportunity to increase energy and limit fatigue. If we do not fulfill the needs of our tissues, we limit our body’s ability to recover and heal. Finally, we need to nourish one of the most important organs in our bodythe brain. When we provide adequate nutrition, the brain can revert into more of a parasympathetic state 10 | LIFEWEST.EDU/LIFELINES-MAGAZINE/
instead of a constant sympathetic attempt to replenish the missing nutrients. The brain releases hormones that allow our bodies to grow and function which for children are one of the most important aspects. When the brain is continuously fighting to keep our bodies afloat, we could slip into a depressive or high anxiety state which limits our normal processing. We could fall into fatigue, high levels of stress, insomnia, have issues with our physical growth and potentially become immunocompromised. People can live a longer, more fulfilling life as a healthier diet sustains their systems to the fullest extent.
