Nutrition fiction

Nutrition is a noun that is defined in the dictionary as “the act or process of nourishing or being nourished.” What nourishes our bodies as humans is what we put into them in the form of food. Food is an irrefutable element for life. For years, however, diet trends and nutrition fads have skewed the way we eat and often how we take care of our bodies.

It seems to be around the seasons of spring and summer that men and women are more aware of their appearance. To get beach body ready, many are willing to engage in ludicrous diets or unreasonable fitness routines that claim to tighten up any loose ends.

The truth is, what we read in health magazines, or see advertised on television is not always 100% accurate, and may give false pretenses into what a realistic body type is.

There are three different types of categorized body shapes: ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph. Depending on which body shape one maintains determines the kind of diet that person engages in, and according to The Science of Eating, many people do not fall perfectly into one category, but may be a mixture.

Often times when reading about different diets or routines that guarantee a weight-loss of “X” amount of pounds, we forget that our biological makeup has a say in how much we lose, and how much time it will take.

In order to fuel our bodies correctly, maintaining a well balanced diet that meets physiological needs is crucial. This means that completely cutting carbs and sugars out of our diets may not be the answer.

According to the Huffington Post article Top 5 Food Facts vs. Fiction, common health trends such as completely cutting out desert or opting for almond milk rather than milk from a cow are not always the most healthy options.

A cow’s milk carries valuable nutrients such as an abundance of calcium and vitamin D. It is also packed with much more protein than almond milk, and while its initial calorie count may be higher, it is undeniable that its overall nutritional benefits outweigh.

Many people may believe that completely cutting out cake and ice cream is what has to be done to lose weight. The truth is, cravings will catch up, and when they do they can be dangerous. While you may be able to suffer through a sugar deficiency for a while, eventually the desire for a bite of chocolate cake will consume you, and a binge may take place.

So what’s the key to living a healthy and happy life? The answer may be a variety of things, but a definite component has to be moderation. Sometimes just being mindful of the munchies and opting for a healthier option can make all the difference. Allowing ourselves to indulge once in a while is important as well, whether this is with a delicious slice of pizza or a creamy scoop of ice cream. After all, a life without desert is a very sad one.

What’s critical to keep in mind is not to get caught up in trends that may not hold much validity. A strong mindfulness of the body and a positive outlook on appearances is all one really needs to rock a bikini or one piece at the beach.