Greetings!
February is American Heart Month and National Eating Disorder Awareness Month!
Therefore, in this month's issue, I'll discuss items that will help your heart and why it is important to be knowledgeable not only about eating disorders, but about disordered eating patterns.
Last month I was honored to speak to DFW girls junior high and high school coaches at the DFW Girls Coaches clinic on sports nutrition.
Healthy Regards, Kathryn Fink |
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Eating Disorders Awareness Month
FEBRUARY is also known as the EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS MONTH!
It is beneficial to have a healthy relationship with food and how you see your body for your overall health. Be mindful of comments you say regarding your body and to others about their physical looks. We are more than what we look like. At times, a comment about how someone looks can be a trigger for them to eat, not eat or use food in an unhealthy manner, especially someone struggling with an eating disorder.
Did you know that 1 in 20 people suffer from a life-threatening eating disorder?
Each February there is a national drive to promote the awareness and dangers regarding eating disorders and the need for intervention and treatment. Even though you may not struggle with a clinically diagnosed eating disorder, many individuals struggle with some type of disordered eating that could lead to a serious eating disorder. It is important to look at behavior patterns regarding food early in order to make changes before serious consequences occur.
Here are some questions you might ask yourself:
- Do I eat (or not eat) in response to emotional stress?
- Do I use food or my weight to manage or control my life?
- Do I think about food, weight and my body constantly throughout the day?
- Are my thoughts about food and body image distracting from my social, family and personal relationships?
If you answered yes to these questions, it might be helpful to set up an appointment to discuss your eating habits.
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American Heart Month
February is designated to be the American Heart Month and it packs initiatives for heart healthy eating. As humans we should seek to learn and embrace the idea of 'heart healthy'. Why?
- The heart is a vital organ that gives oxygen to our body and waste out.
- The heart works constantly to keep us alive.
- The heart is a muscle that works on its own; involuntary.
- Arteries and veins are important parts that can be greatly helped with a diet rich in vegetables and fruits.
Eating well and keeping an exercise routine can keep the heart strong and 'active'.
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Tips for a Strong Body
Flexibility
Two great exercises for flexibility:
Flexibility is important to decrease the risk of injuring yourself and continue your normal activities of daily living. Strength Training Key benefits include: - Building muscle
- Improved bone density
- An increase in metabolism
Don't worry women; we don't have enough muscle to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger! |
Heart Healthy
According to the American Heart Association this means:
- healthy fats (vegetable based fats - olive oil, canola oil, grape seed oil)
- whole grains (wheat bread, oatmeal, whole grain pasta, in essence high fiber foods)
- a variety of vegetables and fruits (remember that the key is variety)
- lean meats and fish
- nuts and seeds, eaten in moderation (walnuts, almonds, pecans, pistachios, sunflower seeds)
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Raise Awareness
What else can you do to raise awareness during this month?
- Support the cause through: races or charity walks
- Ask friends and family to join you in your exercise routines or even active outings
- Wear red (color of the heart)
- Adopt a plant based eating plan
- Check and maintain a healthy blood pressure
Did You Know? Women suffer from heart disease more often times than men. Currently, 1 out of 4 people die from heart disease each year. Heart disease can be prevented!
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Kathryn Fink,
MS, RD, CSSD, LD, CEDRD
Nutrition & Fitness Consultant
I believe "There's always room for ice cream and chocolate!" My practice can assist you in your journey to a healthy relationship with food and balance in your life. Phone214-850-9573Location1110 Cottonwood LaneSuite L200Irving, Texas 75038Emailcontact@dietitianadvice.com Website www.dietitianadvice.com |
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