Being a chiropractor in the Woodbridge, Dale City Virginia
area I consult my patient’s on all aspects of their health. Not only back related problems but also
dietary advice. We truly are what we
eat. Most people feel a bit overwhelmed
when they start talking about their diets.
Oddly enough most of my chiropractic patients are doing most of the right things and
a lot of times it is only a few small changes.
Although I can remember an ex-girlfriends dad talking about his diet and
he said his was pretty good. For instance
I usually have a doughnut for breakfast, which is essentially the same as a
bagel… My girlfriend and I looked at
each other and it was a race to say in “shape only.” He needed a little more help. Here are some pretty solid diet tips from the
ACA.
Healthy Dietary Choices
Eat more raw foods. Cooking and canning destroys much of the
nutrition in foods. With the exception of canned tomatoes, which have been
shown to help prevent prostate cancer, fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables
generally have more natural vitamins and minerals.
Select organically grown foods when possible, because they
have lower amounts of toxic elements, such as pesticides and heavy metals.
Consume 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day. Whole-grain breads
and cereals, beans, nuts and some fruits and vegetables are good sources of
fiber. High-fiber diets can help prevent digestive disorders, heart disease and
colon cancer.
Eat out more sparingly. Food preparation methods in
restaurants often involve high amounts—and the wrong types—of fat and sugar.
Brown-bag your lunch to control your fat and sugar intake
while adding nutritious fruits, vegetables and grains.
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Don’t substitute
coffee, tea and soft drinks for water.
Limit your intake of alcohol, and quit smoking. Drinking
alcohol excessively and/or smoking hinder your body’s ability to absorb
nutrients from food.
Vegetarian Diets
Research shows that a good vegetarian diet as part of a
comprehensive health program can help prevent heart disease, cancer and other
diseases. However, fried foods, hydrogenated fats and commercial meat
substitutes may contain more sugar and fat than a meat-eater would consume. If
you are considering a vegetarian diet, keep the following tips in mind:
Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes to
consume a wide range of nutrients.
Consume fortified foods or take supplements, such as vitamin
B12, to obtain the nutrients you no longer get from animal-based products.
Children, pregnant and breast-feeding women, and people
recovering from illness should consult their healthcare practitioners before
eliminating animal products from their diet.
Supplements
While dietary supplements are becoming increasingly popular,
they are not substitutes for foods, nor can a person sustain good health simply
by taking vitamin and mineral supplements. When taken properly, however,
supplements can play an important role in achieving maximum health.
Since supplements are just an added source of nutrients,
consume dark green vegetables, oils, nuts and seeds, which are sources of
magnesium, fatty acids and many other vitamins and minerals.
Don’t “self-prescribe.” Consult your doctor of chiropractic
to determine what supplements are best for you, especially if you have symptoms
such as headaches, chronic fatigue or cardiac problems.
3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102
Woodbridge VA 22192
703 730 9588
