THE SAME PLATE DEBATE HOW VARIETY CAN SAVE YOUR GUT, MOOD, AND MEALS
If you are stuck on your go-to kale smoothie or healthy quinoa salad for lunch, it may be time to shake up your plate and add a little variety to the menu. Eating the same thing every day might seem like a safe bet and an easy way to meal prep in your busy routine. But your body and taste buds deserve new flavors to keep things fresh and boost your immune system. Even the most nutritious diets can easily turn into a food rut. Grab a plate as we explore why you shouldn’t eat the same food daily. Fixation or Food Frustration? Turning to the same recipes daily could signal something about your mental or emotional health. Variety isn’t just crucial for our physical well-
being; it keeps our minds engaged and helps prevent us from feeling blue. People who limit what and how much they eat may have an eating disorder called avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). ARFID can lead to health problems, as it causes people to avoid certain nutritious foods or not eat at all. Nutrients Need Newness Your body needs a variety of nutrients and foods to stay healthy and balanced. If you are eating the same meals, you might miss out on the ingredients your gut microbiome and immune system crave. Repeating recipes too often could lead to nutrient deficiencies and starve your body of proteins and essential vitamins. While
consuming some of the same foods every week is generally fine, change it up enough to get a good mix of antioxidant-rich foods. Same Bites, Sneaky Signs By avoiding new cuisine, you could miss essential food allergy or intolerance signs. If you have the same breakfast every morning but don’t feel well afterward, trying an alternative could show you that your preferred plateful is actually hurting more than helping. By restricting items in your diet, you could even develop new food sensitivities over time. Listen to your body and be willing to make adjustments if that routine treat is causing discomfort.
The Kid Clock Is Ticking HIT PAUSE AND SAVOR
CHILDHOOD’S LITTLE MOMENTS
One minute they’re wobbling through their first steps, the next they’re asking for the car keys, and time seems to have sped up somewhere in between. Kids grow up fast, and as parents, it can feel like you’ve missed out on so much in the whirlwind of school assignments, milestones, and endless to-do lists. You can’t stop time, but you can pause and take steps to ensure you make the most of the cherished experiences together. Choose moments over multitasking. Distractions are everywhere, from phone notifications in your pocket to the near-constant pressure of maintaining your career. Take every opportunity you can to be present with your kids.
Even if you’re just sitting down to watch a movie or all gathered on the patio, put your devices away and focus on what your kids are up to. Engage with them, ask questions, and join in on their games. You can make the most of this precious time by remaining mindful and looking at their smiles instead of screens. It’s more than just a meal. One of the simplest ways to connect with your kids is to share a meal. This can be tricky with busy school schedules, long work hours, and the natural growing pains and pressures of their getting older. But even one shared meal a week can bring you closer together. Whether breakfast or dinner, when everyone sits at the table to eat, it invites the whole family to open up about their lives, dreams, and plans. No matter how quickly the years seem to fly by, having that daily or weekly moment of connection can create lasting connections and stability. Love the stage you’re in. Your children will experience many different stages in their lives, and it’s important to cherish each as it unfolds. It’s easy to mourn the sweetness of their infancy or worry yourself sick about their teenage years. Instead, enjoy the phase they are in and think about how you can support them. Focus on how you’re preparing them for what’s next, not what you’ll miss about their younger years. Keep your sights on their future and all the exciting moments to come.
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