For many women, nutrition often is seen primarily as a means to alter body size or appearance. But imagine if we could shift our focus from simply changing how we look to using food and nutrition as tools to enhance our life’s purpose and mission. By prioritizing the nutrients that fuel our bodies, we can better support ourselves in achieving our goals and living out our values.
Whether your mission involves raising children to be compassionate and ethical individuals, contributing to a team that strives to make a positive difference in the world or simply loving and caring for yourself in the best way possible, nutrition plays a pivotal role.
When our bodies are well nourished with the right nutrients, we experience higher levels of energy, motivation and emotional stability. This nutritional support helps us perform at our best and stay grounded in our daily lives.
There are two fundamental strategies to ensure that your body gets the nutrients it needs to support your mission effectively:
Mindfully balance macronutrients
One of the most impactful ways to support your body’s needs is by balancing the ratios of protein, fat and carbohydrates on your plate. Maintaining balanced blood sugar levels is crucial, as it is thought to be the foundation of overall health.
Imbalances in blood sugar can lead to various lifestyle diseases, including diabetes and metabolic syndrome. To achieve balance, prioritize consuming adequate protein each day, which helps to stabilize blood sugar and promote satiety. Focus on including fiber-rich carbohydrates, such as whole foods like fruits and vegetables, which help regulate blood sugar levels.
Additionally, incorporate high-quality fats into your diet, such as those from avocados, nuts and high-quality cooking fats, which support cellular function and hormone production.
By being mindful of these macronutrient ratios, you can better support your body’s energy needs and overall well-being.
Diversify your micronutrients
In addition to macronutrients, it’s essential to ensure you’re getting a wide range of micronutrients by diversifying the foods you eat. Each food provides different vitamins and minerals, so eating a variety of high-quality, nutrient-dense foods helps to meet your body’s micronutrient requirements. For example, leafy greens are rich in vitamins A and K, while berries provide antioxidants and vitamin C.
Without adequate micronutrients, your body’s systems might not function optimally, leading to imbalances and deficiencies that can impact your health. By rotating different types of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats into your diet, you ensure that you’re covering all your micronutrient bases and supporting your body’s overall function.
Nutrition is about more than just achieving a particular dress size or meeting societal standards of beauty. Our true missions on Earth — whether they involve nurturing others, contributing to meaningful work or cultivating self-love — are much more profound.
Each of us is unique, with individual needs and purposes. If you aim to carry out your mission with a healthy, resilient body, prioritizing nutrition is a crucial element of your support system. By focusing on balanced macronutrients and diverse micronutrients, you can fuel your body effectively and stay aligned with your life’s goals.
Bri Edwards is a holistic health coach at Healthy Foundations in Dubuque.
