The concept of mindfulness has fully saturated mainstream culture at this point. Though it’s more likely to conjure up an image of someone sitting cross-legged with closed eyes than sitting at a table looking wide-eyed at mealtime, it’ll serve you just as well on your dinner plate as it will on your yoga mat. How Intuitive Eating Can Help You Quit Diet Culture
WHAT IS INTUITIVE EATING?
Eating mindfully, also known as intuitive eating, is trending in the health and wellness world. But it couldn’t be more different from fad diets or other trends like fasting and cleanses, which have restrictive lists of rules and foods to eat or avoid. Intuitive eating starts by simply tuning in to your body’s needs and cues, but it goes further than that. As a Harvard Medical School article put it, “In essence, mindful eating means being fully attentive to your food — as you buy, prepare, serve, and consume it.” And that includes focusing on how different foods and eating habits make you feel, both physically and mentally. While this may feel … intuitive ... it’s easier said than done in a culture with consistent and often confusing messaging around what constitutes healthy eating. Even the tried-and-true method of calorie counting has raised doubts in recent years due to inaccuracies in calorie calculations for the nutrition labels and research on how calorie restriction can backfire by changing your hormone levels and even slowing down your metabolism. Kristen Smith, a registered dietitian and the spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, says it’s also linked to disordered eating habits. Intuitive eating may
just be the antidote. Singer Demi Lovato, who has been open about her struggles with an eating disorder and body-image issues, credits a more mindful approach to eating with helping her overcome harmful eating patterns.
HOWDOES IT LEAD TO BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES?
Having a regular exercise routine and eating well have long been known as the two pillars of physical health. When it comes to the latter, intuitive eating helps you create healthy and sustainable eating habits. The upshot is that when you eat better, you’ll feel better. Being attuned to that connection is the foundation of mindful eating. Most of us know that we should eat whole foods, including lots of fruits and vegetables, but feeling the outcome of increased consumption of these foods will help you stick with and build the habit.
Put Your Skin in the Game PROTECT IT IN 3 STEPS
April is the first full month of spring, and it’s nearly impossible to not enjoy the sunshine. However, April is also Cancer Control Month, and in the spirit of prevention and education, we’re outlining tips to help you lower your risk of developing one of the most common forms of cancer: skin cancer. COVER, SHIELD, AND PROTECT! Your skin does a great job of protecting your body from would-be invaders, but it isn’t as strong as you’d like to think. (One papercut could tell you as much!) Protect your skin from the sun by regularly applying sunscreen — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 15 SPF or higher — and regularly reapply sunscreen every two hours. However, the sun is a vital source of vitamin D! Strike a good balance between protecting yourself and using this powerful resource by finding the right sunscreen for your skin type. Also, wear a hat to cover your skin and seek shade. LEARN ABOUT THE RISKS Skin cancer has many varieties, and many factors can determine what it looks like. Regularly examine your body for strange-looking or new
moles, which can be a sign of skin cancer. Remember ABCDE when examining yourself. Moles that are asymmetrical , have an irregular border , are strange in color , are larger than 6 millimeters in diameter , and are evolving or changing could be dangerous and should be examined by your medical provider. SUPPLEMENT YOUR SKIN HEALTH Your skin will do a better job of protecting itself when you provide it with the proper tools to do so. Focus on foods that are packed with good fats; vitamins like A, C, and E; lean protein; and zinc. These will help your skin maintain its elasticity and improve your complexion. Eat foods like fish, carrots, sweet potatoes, bananas, and avocados for better skin health. Supplements can also help provide skin nutrients.
To find the right supplement for your skin health or for other natural solutions to skin concerns, consult with Dr. Sladic by scheduling an appointment. Call 877-861-5927 to get started.
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