The big question you probably have is, how do I know if I have a good diet? Let's first define the word diet:
di·et /ˈdīət/
The kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats. "a vegetarian diet"
A special course of food to which one restricts oneself, either to lose weight or for medical reasons. "I'm going on a diet"
Most of you probably know diet as one of the following and many more!
Keto
Veganism
Carnivore
Atkins
GAPS
Paleo
We now know that when we say diet, we are referring to food alone. However, to know that we are eating a good diet, we have to look at our bodies in a holistic way. We have to look at things like the signs and symptoms your body is showing you. Here are a few indications that you are on the right track with your food intake.
1. You Have Clear, Radiant Skin
When we have clear skin, that is a good indication that our health or diet is pretty good! When we experience acne, psoriasis, rashes, or weird benign bumps that's an indication that your liver may not be able to filter everything properly so your skin gets the opportunity to help excrete some of the "toxins" out through those methods. You may also have a food allergy or intolerance so you start having reactions like psoriasis or rashes.
2. Your Energy Isn't on a Roller Coaster
If you tend to experience those afternoon highs and lows, it's likely you may not be eating up to your optimal blueprint. This could also be a timing thing. A common thing we see as holistic health coaches is our clients are not eating breakfast so they rely on a stimulant or three in the afternoon, eat a big dinner, and then eat a nice dessert for dinner. This makes your blood sugar, insulin, and energy all out of whack.
3. Your Mood is Steady
Do you feel happy? Do you feel like you have extreme mood shifts? Experiencing different moods is okay but when we are constantly shifting, similar to bipolar, that's when we need to look into our diet! Another way to tell you to have a good diet is if you can actually feel how foods make you feel. Some people rely so much on stimulants they never know how their body truly reacts to certain foods until it's too late!
4. You Have a Good Relationship With Food
You better finish your food, and all of it, before you leave the table! Sound familiar? This could be a number of things from our childhood that have tainted our relationship with diet. You may still be following this rule as you become an adult because you eat super fast or you overindulge instead of eating until you are satisfied. Do you have a good diet aka food choices if this is you? Maybe! Food choice and the way we eat all impact whether or not we have a good diet.
5. You Enjoy the Foods You Eat
If you are enjoying the foods you eat, it's likely you have a good diet because your body is repulsed by the smell or looks of certain foods. If it is and you're still eating them, that could be something to look into to say if you have a good diet or not.
6. Your Period is Normal
Women, your cycle is a good indication of whether or not your diet is good or not. Is it your only indication? No. There are many other factors that go into a healthy cycle than just diet. If you'd like to learn more about how to eat a good diet with each phase of your cycle, we have created an entire free course on this subject. You can check it out here!
7. You Think Clearly
Brain fog! Have you heard of it? Maybe you experience it! Brain fog can happen a lot of times when we are drinking alcohol, eating foods that we're intolerant to, spending too much energy and accumulating enough. Leaky gut and other digestive disorders which are often caused by stress and your diet. You have something called the gut brain axis - so as you can probably imaging, what you think affects your gut and vice versa. What you bring into your gut can affect your brain.
8. You Feel Strong and Mobile
A good indication of a good diet is you feel strong and mobile. You have good strong hair, nails, and glowing skin. An example of a bad diet symptom might be joint pain, low back pain or knee pain for example. Or maybe you tend to break bones easily or sprain ankles, or simply get injured.
9. You are Free of Headaches and Pains
A headache can definitely be a good sign of a good diet. But headaches can be a cause of SO MANY things. If you tend to get them often, you would want to look at what region of your head, your posture, your water intake, stress levels, sleep, screen time and so many more things. A good diet is but one small aspect.
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