Determine Your Wellness Journey and the Opportunity to “Reset” Your Habits

Care Resource is encouraging South Florida to “Personalize Your Plate” during National Nutrition Month. This theme recognizes the diversity of body-types, individual goals, and personal preferences. Nutrition is especially vital during the COVID-19 pandemic. A well-balanced diet improves the immune system, further protects from illness, and supports quicker healing.

Gloria Cabral, RD, LDN, Registered Dietitian

According to Gloria Cabral, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), “Throughout this pandemic, eat in a healthy way that works for you. Whatever meal you make, make sure it includes vitamins, fiber and protein. If you have to eat canned foods, choose options without added salt or sugar. Even if you’re spending more time at home, keep drinking water. If you want, add some lemon or fruit to give it flavor! Get creative and make a meal that works for you. When you eat well, you’ll feel good, and that’s really important during these times.”

Below are recommended healthy habits to stay on track in the road to greater wellness:

Habit 1: Indulging Comfort Foods

In response to stress, many use food for emotional soothing. Often, these “comfort foods” are high in carbohydrates, sugar, and fat, which negatively impact our health in the long-run.

Fix: Nutritious foods are more supportive for our behavioral health than comfort foods. If you’re feeling down, reach out to a friend or therapist. When you choose to indulge a snack, bake a healthy dessert with a loved one!

Habit 2: Binge-Watching

To cope with sadness, boredom and loneliness, individuals have turned to television. These long periods of inactivity are often accompanied by snacking, causing individuals to overeat processed foods.

Fix: Practice digital mindfulness and limit the hours of television you watch each day. This way, you’ll have more time for other activities such as virtual exercise classes, support groups, and personal hobbies that keep you connecting, instead of overeating.

Habit 3: Set a Meal Schedule

Due to the changes in our lives throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our schedules have been upended. We may neglect to eat or drink water, forgetting to meet our body’s needs.

Fix: It’s essential to keep a schedule that supports balanced eating. Some choose to eat a fresh breakfast that is low in sugar and salt. Others may choose to drink water shortly after waking up, and eat only after a period of intermittent fasting. Whichever routine you choose, eat mindfully and run your plan by a registered nutritionist!

This month provides an opportunity to reset. By meeting with Gloria Cabral, Registered Dietitian and primary care providers at Care Resource, community members can establish a nutrition plan that works for them, improve their eating patterns and overall wellness.