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For those who struggle with food, the holidays followed by the beginning of a new year can be overwhelming. The pressure to adopt (and keep) a new year’s diet resolution is heightened. Promotions for dietary programs are everywhere. There is traditionally lots of focus on the prospect of “looking good” – which is far less important than feeling good and being able to move well and live well.
Today, we want to share just a few motivating facts about how a well-balanced diet impacts your mobility. We encourage you to use these facts to strengthen your resolve and make food choices that enhance the quality of your life. We sincerely value our patients and are committed to giving you information that promotes your well-being in a simple and helpful manner.
Here are 3 meaningful MOBILITY reasons to adopt and maintain a well-balanced diet: (In case it is helpful, here is a great link to what is considered a well-balanced diet.)
A well-balanced diet will reduce fluid build-up in your legs and ankles. Swelling in your lower legs and ankles is often caused by hypertension. When your blood pressure is high, your heart works harder. Over time, this extra effort can lead to the heart muscle becoming thicker and less effective. This allows fluid to build up in your lower legs and ankles, which causes them to swell up and often causes movement to become painful and difficult. Eating smart helps your heart and your mobility.
A well-balanced diet has a positive impact on arthritis. Processed (packaged) foods, sugar and sugar alternatives, fried foods, white flour products (like pasta, some breads) are all examples of foods that can cause inflammation. Inflammation, a major cause of arthritis, can be made worse when these foods are part of your daily diet. Reducing your intake of these foods can reduce inflammation and pain and improve your mobility.
A well-balanced diet can reduce the risk of falls and fractures.Though our bones can weaken over time, there is excellent data that shows us that the loss of bone density and strength can be reduced by making healthy food choices. When we don’t have a well balanced mix of calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals (all often out-of-balance in fad diets), we compromise our bones (and our nerves and muscles), often leading to an increased risk of fractures and other related health issues.
Until then know that we are rooting for you, your good health. and your mobility!