Rhyme & Reason: Health + Wellness = Hellness
I’m not going to deny it, but it is tough living in 2023. Okay, before I sound random, I want to make it abundantly clear that I am speaking in terms of health and wellness and the push that comes to pursue it.
First, let me define good health and overall wellness. Good health and wellness promises ways of improving self such as greater flexibility, better digestion, mental clarity, stronger body, clearer skin, shinier hair, sturdier nails, more positive outlook toward life. Yada yada. And these promises are great. Who wouldn’t want these for themselves? There’s no question that taking care of your body and mind is good for you.
The problem is, the way it is packaged, sold, and consumed today. So many health substitutes, hacks, tests, fasts, fads, apps, blogs. It is truly, hellness. There is so much information out there that it has taken me years to find out what is right and sustain certain practices. I know I am adding one more to your list of information and the irony is not lost on me.
Anyway…
Today, I am sharing the 5 mistakes I have made over the years as someone who is actively and passionately sailing on the wellness ship. These mistakes are mostly around food and general movement, but they are useful. *grins in research*
Basic disclaimer –
I understand nutrition and biology and can source right material and proofed content. I haven’t studied nutrition, but have read a dozen of books on it. The 5 mistakes and the truths around them have been taken from articles from peer reviewed journals and vetted by doctors, and dieticians.
1. Myth: Working out in the morning is the best.
Not really. Sure, some of us are more energetic in the mornings and it is nice to capitalize on it, but moving at different times of the day can have its own benefits. For example, walking in the evening during the sunset can send unique signals to your brain, readying it to close for the day, and trigger better sleep.
Truth: Unless you have specific aesthetic or performance goals no one method is better. Moving in any form and using the bigger muscles in your body, at any time, is great for you.
2. Myth: Plant-based milk is better than cow milk.
Nah. They are equally bad or equally good. It really depends on where you stay, how you source, and the way it is assimilated in your body. For instance, cow/buffalo milk can be a nightmare for people with lactose intolerance, packaged milk in any form is questionable, home-made milk filters out the nutrients.
Truth: Your body will give you signs on what is working for it. They all come with their unique nutritional promises. See what benefits you and what you love. Be very careful about making big switches to your diet without understanding its impact.
3. Myth: Honey is a good sugar substitute. So is jaggery.
Refined sugar has got a bad rap since the past few years. Honey, jaggery, manuka powder have taken over. But really, there is no difference. Nutritionally speaking, jaggery has miniscule advantages. In fact, adding jaggery in tea/hot milk is “viruddha ahar” aka antagonizing ingredients. Many such replacements need to be understood better before making it a part of your routine.
Truth: It is best to consume ingredients in the form your previous 2 generations did. Tweaks aren’t always smart. Sweet stuff should be limited. Period.
4. Myth: Eating every 2 hours is the best way to lose weight.
No, no, no. First, this is not a blanket rule. Every body is different. A simple way to think about this is, what is your energy expense? If you live a largely sedentary life, you must consume less than a teacher who is on his toes for the large part of his day or a machinery floor supervisor who is using her body muscles a lot more than you are. If you feel hungry, but all means, eat. But there is no need to eat every 2 hours (even small quantities) just for the heck of it.
Truth: On the contrary, skip a meal occasionally when you have a light day and have had a sufficiently hearty meal earlier.
5. Myth: Rice and ghee are anti weight-loss or pro weight-gain.
Honestly, I never made this mistake but feel it necessary to call out people who think rice is bad. I mean, just look at your diet in general and find the guts to call rice – a locally cultivated, satisfying, easy to digest, affordable, versatile, gluten-free, sustainable, energy providing, and nutritious complex carb worse than anything you are eating anyway. If I could write a song on anything – it would be rice.
Truth: Eat rice. Even if you are diabetic (use common sense on moderation).
Other crucial advice:
- It is okay to eat fruit during, before, after a meal. Anytime is good.
- Don’t eat raw unless it is super-local.
- Be mindful of mixing citrus foods with curd. They don’t always go together.
- Individual grain consumed at a time > multigrain
- Do not have tea or coffee empty stomach. PLEASE.
- Eat early, dude.
- Sleep early, dude. (strive for 7-8 hours).
- While this is a task, educate yourself on contrarian foods.
- Get off the smoothie brigade.
- Splenda/Stevia are not better (if you do not have diabetes). It can actually confuse your insulin and increase your chances of developing diabetes.
- Lookout for hellness.
Take care, loves!
Sources:
1. https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2021/06/cows-milk-vs-plant-based-milk-which-one-is-better
3. https://www.health.com/nutrition/is-white-rice-healthy
4. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-time-eat-fruit#TOC_TITLE_HDR_8