One of the most important considerations for me is my overall health. That means making sure I have a balanced diet, I am getting exercise, and making healthy choices so nothing negatively affects my health. Over the past few years, I have noticed that simply eating whole, unprocessed foods (most of the time) seems extreme or crazy to some. As a society, we have gotten way too used to making poor choices when it comes to our health, so that when someone decides to maintain and improve their health, it seems extreme.
As an athlete, I have a slightly different view on my health, since I want to perform the best I can in my sport. Health and wellness are for everyone, not just athletes. Snacks such as chips or bars with sugar, which so many people have gotten used to eating, are highly processed and not great for you. I don’t eat processed snacks such as Goldfish or even protein bars. I try to eat mostly whole foods because I know that is what will make me feel the best. The interesting thing is that when I turn down certain foods or say “I don’t eat that,” it seems like a restrictive diet when in reality, I prefer to have a healthier diet. Going “on a diet” is not really a thing; we all have diets; it’s just about what you choose to include in yours.
School lunches definitely don’t help this situation. Our school lunches are virtually the same as eating fast food or from a restaurant. Why would you eat out every day for five days a week? I see so many people eating cookies and other snacks every day as if it’s normal. Refined sugars are not something to eat daily, and people need to realize that.
Caffeine and water are also big issues. I think caffeine is consumed way too frequently and in large amounts, while water is not consumed enough. Energy drinks have become something that is a part of your look lately, and what many don’t realize is that caffeine can cause health issues. Especially when so many people have attention and anxiety issues now, caffeine makes it worse. The last thing I feel strongly about is seed oils. They are in almost everything, and they cause so many problems people have. They include vegetable oil, canola oil, and more. From acne to diseases, seed oils cause harm. I always choose coconut oil and olive oil when making things since those are better options.
I think it is unfortunate that doing healthy things for yourself seems extreme today. We don’t have to be completely healthy all the time, but I think we all need to have a better balance of healthy foods. Obviously, enjoying treats and junk food is a fun part of life, and there is nothing wrong with that in moderation. However, our health determines if we live a long, good life, so it deserves to be prioritized more.