While there are certainly many illnesses that can only be treated with powerful medications, it is becoming apparent that alterations in women’s diets can help you manage your condition. Even if you have already become too incapacitated to work and reliant on social security disability, you may be able to experience better days at home with a significant diet change. The old adage “you are what you eat” is never more applicable than in the management of lifelong disabilities. As a woman, there are several diet changes that can help you get healthy and stay healthy.
Eat Plenty of Whole, Plant Based Foods
As creatures that thrive on naturally-derived, plant-based foods, it is surprising how far culture has moved away from those items. Women need to be eating a lot of leafy green vegetables and fruits to maintain perfect health. Eating plenty of whole grains and beans throughout the day will also supply you with the necessary fiber requirements to stay full while keeping your digestive tract humming along.
Ingest A Lot of Calcium
Women have a much greater risk of developing osteoporosis than men so it is crucial their diet is rich in calcium. While dairy products are rich in calcium, it can be unwise to ingest more than one full-fat serving of dairy per day. In addition to milk, try eating beans, kale, collard greens, broccoli or brussel sprouts for your daily dose of calcium.
Get Enough Iron
Unfortunately, the vast majority of women are iron-depleted at all times; this is due, in part, to the large amount of iron lost during menstruation. With anemia being one of the most common hemoglobin illnesses in the United States, it is no wonder iron should be a bigger part of your diet. Increase the amount of iron in your diet by eating lentils, almonds, spinach, red meat, dark poultry or iron-fortified cereals.
Remove Added Sugars
Some specialists speculate that the high amount of added sugars in the typical American diet is the cause for the nation’s obesity crisis. Sugars definitely wreak havoc on a healthy system by increasing fat, causing sugar crashes and inducing headaches. You are also at higher risk for lifelong illnesses like diabetes. Cut the added sugars and be watchful for sugars added to items that claim they are “low-fat.” Often, companies who remove the fat find it removes the flavor of the food, so they add sugars to increase palatability.
Consume Less Alcohol and Caffeine
Nobody wants to hear their morning cuppa Joe and evening wine are detrimental to their health, but unfortunately those items may be exacerbating or inducing health problems. Caffeine interferes with women’s hormone levels and can cause calcium loss. PMS symptoms, menopause and fertility can all be adversely affected by caffeine and alcohol as well. Limit yourself to one cup of coffee and one glass of wine per day.
Originally posted on August 12, 2015 @ 8:39 pm