Healthy Eating: From Understanding to Action
In all my experiences of lifestyle changes, the fundamental principle has always been: only by understanding and recognizing why we do something can our actions be sustainable.
Healthy Eating Is More Than Just Weight Loss
Many people associate healthy eating with "weight loss," but in reality, my dietary adjustments had little to do with body image concerns. Initially, it was my experience with eating disorders that made me aware of this issue. However, at that time, I was deeply trapped and didn't know where to start. It was only after I had almost recovered that I could take a more rational approach to food and the relationship between food and the body, realizing the profound impact of food on health and emotions.
Practical Reasons for Dietary Adjustments
Besides the influence of eating disorders, other practical reasons drove me to change my diet:
- Saving money while maintaining stable energy levels to cope with work and life pressures.
- After improving my sleep, I experienced the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and hoped that diet could also help stabilize my emotions.
- In the long run, I wanted to live a healthier and longer life.
Deeper Understanding of Healthy Eating
As my focus on healthy eating deepened, I gradually formed several key insights:
- Food is more than just calories; its nutritional value is even more important. The best source of nutrition is whole foods, not supplements.
- Ultra-processed foods do more harm than the convenience they offer. However, if basic nutrition (carbs, protein, fats) is not met, eating processed foods is better than not eating at all.
- Exercise cannot counteract junk food’s effects; the long-term damage from high sugar and fat content won't disappear through exercise.
- Ultra-processed foods make it hard to feel full since they lack essential nutrients, leading to persistent hunger even after eating.
- Quitting junk food takes time; it takes at least four weeks for the gut microbiome to adjust to healthier foods.
Healthy Eating Is a Long-Term Investment
Healthy eating is not just about meeting immediate needs but about preparing for long-term well-being. Like any long-term investment, the benefits of a healthy diet do not appear instantly, but with persistence, the rewards become undeniable.
True health is not about seeing immediate results in a short time but about the accumulated benefits your body builds over the years—such as a stronger physical foundation, more stable emotions, and increased energy.
Finding the Right Diet for Yourself
Throughout this process, everyone has different physical needs and lifestyles. The key is to define your goals, find a diet that suits you, and stick to it.
Changes in eating habits do not show immediate results in long-term health. Maybe by the time you're sixty and take a DEXA scan, you'll see how much higher your bone density is compared to your peers. But in the long run, the benefits of a healthy diet are unparalleled.