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Ever wonder why we can’t just get all our nutrients from the foods we eat?
Unfortunately, the typical American diet is known for its excess sugars, saturated fat and sodium, while having a deficiency in the recommended fruits, vegetables, dairy and healthy oils (1). It’s referred to by dieticians and nutritionists as the Standard American Diet (this is often abbreviated as SAD, a fitting acronym).
With our busy lifestyles, it is all too easy to reach for processed and fast food to fuel our bodies, which may leave us depleted of essential nutrients. But even if we have a perfect diet, that still doesn’t mean that our bodies can absorb all the necessary nutrients from our food due to poor digestion issues.
When we eat food, our bodies break it down into nutrients like vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. These nutrients are then absorbed from our gut into the bloodstream, where they are circulated throughout our bodies. The prevalence of digestive issues
Could probiotics help with depression? Yes, say Malaysian researchers, but. And — despite what you might read on social media — it’s a big but.
The yes: “It has been proven that different strains of probiotics exert anti-depressive potential via distinct mechanisms,” they write. Low amounts of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, for example, seem to correlate with higher depression risk, while higher levels of Eggerthella is associated with major depressive disorders.
The but: That’s all great in theory, but finding the actual probiotic cocktails to help with depression — a simple pill or food — “will be challenging and elusive.” There just haven’t been enough studies, and we know how complex the microbiome is.
Still, they say, it’s worth studying:
It seems only fitting that scientists and industrialists consider developing probiotic strains that effectively ameliorate depression
If you're tired of seeing your weight fluctuate, you may need to add some healthy habits to your weekly schedule.
Start Small
Consider these five small improvements that you can make this week that can add up to big results towards your goals for managing or losing weight.
Stock your kitchen. You can make room for the good things by getting rid of junk food. Keep healthy snacks on hand, along with staples for light meals.
Plan your meals. Write out a menu for your daily meals and snacks. You'll be able to tell at a glance if you're getting all your required nutrients, and you'll probably eat less!
Cook more. Restaurant meals and frozen food products tend to have more calories, salt, and sugar. Preparing your own food allows you to control the ingredients and calories to satisfy your health and nutrition goals.
Control portions. Foods can sometimes be so tempting that they lure you off your diet. Reduce your serving sizes so you can enjoy
Diving head-first into a weight loss plan can be difficult to maintain long-term if you don't plan to create a lifestyle of healthy habits.
Some people try to lose weight through intermittent fasting or simply swearing off junk foods. Others try to make major changes to their diet but quickly begin missing their favorite snack foods. Before they know it, they revert to their old habits and wind up gaining back the pounds they lost (and more).
Take It Day by Day
Consider these five daily habits that you can make to your diet to help stay on-target with your personal goals for managing or losing weight.
Drink water. Staying hydrated facilitates digestion. Quench your thirst with plain water and tea instead of beverages loaded with calories.
Focus on whole foods. Cutting back on packaged items will eliminate most empty calories. Make vegetables, fruits, and other natural foods the core of your diet.
