PATIENT PULSE
(858) 675-1133 | www.waterpt.com
15373 Innovation Dr. #175 | San Diego, CA 92128 | (858) 675-1133 12171 World Trade Dr. | San Diego, CA 92128
M arch is National Nutrition Month, so it’s a great time to find ways to reinvest in our health. We love seeing our patients every day and helping them work through their physical recovery. But one thing we don’t get to talk about very often, amidst the focus on the physical side of their health and well-being, is the role that nutrition also plays in happy healing. I’ll be the first to say that I’m not a fan of fad or extreme diets. They don’t necessarily work effectively because they don’t support useful lifestyle changes. That means they tend to fizzle out pretty rapidly, and their effects aren’t long lasting. Let’s be realistic here — if the “grapefruit diet” actually worked long term and had realistically achievable results, then everyone would be on it all the time! There’s a reason these fad diets come and go so rapidly. They’re just not sustainable, and in many ways, not very healthy. In this newsletter, I talk a lot about being a big foodie. My readers have heard me share details about the meals I cook, the restaurants I eat at, and all the food I get to sample during my travels. It probably seems like all I do is eat out all the time, indulging in food that might taste great but isn’t necessarily great for me. But I’d like to correct that assumption. The truth is that those are culinary “treats” that I like to bring into my life on occasion. For the most part, I eat healthy meals I’ve prepared at home, using the skills and knowledge about nutrition I’ve gained over the years in my field of work. I’ve always found that the key is moderation. Unhealthy or indulgent foods are just fine to partake in every once in awhile, so long as you’re mostly eating healthy foods that provide all the nutrients and supplements your body THE FOOD YOU’RE EATING COULD BE AFFECTING YOUR HEALING
regularly needs. You can get most of these from a healthy balance of fruits and veggies, whole grains, and lean protein. And I know you’ve heard it before, but I’ll say it again: Be especially mindful of how much sugar you consume. When it comes to using nutrition to aid in your physical therapy regimen, you’d be surprised by the difference good nutrition can make in the recovery process. Certain foods promote or reduce inflammation, which plays a large role in injury and healing. Certain vitamins and nutrients affect the strength of your bones and the way your joints and muscles move. And one thing I always make sure to tell my patients is to drink plenty of water! Staying hydrated is key not only to feeling good but also to keeping your body and all its systems running smoothly. No matter how good your diet is, if you aren’t drinking enough water to go with it, you’re never going to be as healthy as you could be. Our health, in every sense of the word, is so important to us. But I’m only an expert in one area: physical therapy. The points I’ve detailed above are what I’ve garnered from both my own experiences and my patients over the years. You should consult a registered dietitian or your physician with further questions you might have. Also, be sure to check out the insert inside this newsletter for some more facts about food you may not be aware of.
Celebrate National Nutrition Month by taking a look at some of your habits and doing what you can to make them healthier!
–Beth Scalone
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