UNC Health’s Post

Food, what we eat on a daily basis, is actually part of our own personal “environment” and powerfully affects our health and wellbeing, how we actually feel, every minute of our day, one bite at a time.  It is a confusing concept because so many people have totally lost sight of the function of food in our lives and the immeasurable influence it exerts.   Yes, of course it needs to give us comfort and pleasure, but if you strip the meaning of food down to its most fundamental and simple, food is information. The food we eat sends messages and provides instructions which affect, and can radically change, our genes (and how they are expressed or triggered), our hormones, our immune system, our metabolism, our brain chemistry and our gut flora – for the better or for the worse.   So next time you are tempted to eat something which you know will not make you feel good or contribute to your wellbeing, ask yourself this question:  what instructions am I about to give my body?  Am I encouraging it to age, or to remain youthful?  To serve me or to hinder and challenge me?   Is it truly going to give me that much pleasure?  And if the answer to this last question is a clear yes, eat it and enjoy it, and don't feel guilty! I would be really interested to know what actual meaning you give to food. Survival obviously, but what else? What does food do for you emotionally?

Don’t skip breakfast, it truely is the most important meal of the day and here are the reasons why : 🍳It breaks your overnight fasting which is at least 6 hours long 🌽It refuels your glycogen energy stores that you have gone without from the previous night 🥞It kick starts your daily metabolism with improved energy levels, a bit like a turbo booster 🥓It reduces your craving for high kilojoule food items during the course of the day 🫐It Stabilises your blood sugar levels as you go about undertaking your daily tasks 🍓It Improves your memory and concentration span 🥑Breakfast provides us with the energy to keep the mind focused You can test these benefits yourself with controlled testing, go without breakfast for a day and then on the second day have a wholesome breakfast. You will notice a significant difference in your energy and productivity levels. Have a Fantastic Sunday, except to those where it is not yet Sunday and for whatever plans you may have, here’s wishing it to be a productive one.

Food plays a significant role beyond just satisfying hunger; it can positively impact our mood, energy levels, and mental clarity. When you're faced with challenges or feeling stressed, taking a moment to enjoy a nutritious meal can work wonders: 1. Calmness and Comfort: Eating a satisfying meal can trigger the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of well-being and relaxation. This can help reduce stress and anxiety. 2. Improved Focus and Energy: The right balance of nutrients from a wholesome meal can boost your energy levels and enhance mental focus. Foods rich in complex carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats provide sustained energy and promote mental alertness. 3. Fresh Perspective: Stepping away from a problem to have a meal can give your mind a break. The act of eating mindfully allows you to reset and approach challenges with renewed clarity and creativity. 4. Brain Function: Certain foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish contain nutrients that support brain health. These nutrients can enhance cognitive function, memory, and mood regulation. 5. Social Connection: Sharing a meal with others fosters social connections and can lift your spirits. The combination of good food and good company can be a powerful antidote to stress. Remember, taking care of yourself, including nourishing your body with good food, is essential for overall well-being. So, next time you feel overwhelmed, treat yourself to a nutritious meal—it might just be the solution you need! Know this and know peace. ©️ Glory Solomon cares 😘 #goodfood #healthyfood #stressrelief #aqueenandmore_1 #glorytemitopesolomon #glorymediahouse

I’ve been intermittent fasting every day for many years. With the exception of some holidays or celebrations. But every few weeks I like to do an extended fast. The last 40 hours consisted only of water, black decaf coffee, and plain decaf mint tea. My favorite part of extended fasting is tapping into the fascinating process of autophagy. Basically a deep cellular flush for a lack of scientific jargon. Many people report positive results of extended fasting when it comes to mental clarity, spiritual connectedness, reversing insulin resistance, lowering blood sugar, fat reduction, gut/digestion repair, etc. That said, fasting is not good for certain people with increased risk factors or other healthcare considerations to be aware of. Now, one part of fasting that I often fight discussed much less is how to most effectively break the fast — ie. begin consuming calories again. Arguably, how someone breaks their fast is more important than the fast itself. When I intermittent fast for 16-20 hours, I’m usually comfortable breaking my fast with pretty much anything (Vegan of course). But on my extended fasts I’m a little more cautious and it goes something like this: 1️⃣ One big spoonful of coconut oil — then wait 30 minutes 2️⃣ Two or three big forkfuls of sauerkraut — then wait 30 minutes 3️⃣ One large serving of fruit — then wait 30 minutes 4️⃣ A mixture of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats I totally understand 40 hours is not much of an extended fast when compared to others who do 7+ days. By the way, breakfast literally means break-fast. This is because most people stop eating a certain period the night before and then of course remain fasting while they sleep. Unfortunately, the “breakfast food” market has been overtaken by horrendous choices including highly refined sugar, nutrient derived grains, and ultra processed animal flesh/fluids. Worse, these are marketed directly towards children and their parents by default. What’s your take on fasting? #intermittentfasting #autophagy #fasting

Our food choices can have a direct impact on the way we work and feel. Bad choices can result in energy slumps, lack of concentration, difficulty in sleeping and feeling down and out. When we are proactive about nourishing our body with the right food it helps to: 🧠 Improve our mood. 🧠 Boost our energy. 🧠 Think more clearly. To perform well at work, we need to have the right mindset, energy level and ability to focus so it makes sense that we provide our brains and body with what will ensure this can happen. My three top tips for nourishing your brain with food are: 🌼 Consumption Eat moderate-sized meals consistently so your blood sugar levels don’t fluctuate as much, resulting in a steadier mood. 🌼 Powerful P – Plant foods and Protein Include both these powerful P foods for improved energy throughout the day and increased feelings of calm. 🌼 Hydration 70% of our brain is made up of water. If you dehydrate it, your concentration levels will decrease. What do you consume each day to ensure your brain is working at its fullest potential? #humanresources #leadership #eventprofs

Let's talk about something that affects the majority of people in the workplace, yet is rarely discussed: caffeine. It's the most abused drug in the world, yet many of us rely on it to get through the day. We use it as a supplement, but in reality, it's often just covering up poor energy management. Have you ever found yourself consuming multiple cups of coffee, energy drinks, or pre-workout supplements, only to end up tossing and turning in bed at night? This is because caffeine has a half-life of around 6 hours, meaning that even 6 hours after consuming it, half of it is still in your system. This leads to a vicious cycle of consuming more caffeine to combat sluggishness, and then struggling to fall asleep at night. When we lack energy, we also lack willpower and motivation, which can negatively impact our performance and productivity. So, what can we do to break the cycle? The solution lies in setting non-negotiable rules for ourselves. Personally, I have found that two cups of coffee or one energy drink a day is my limit, and I make sure to cut myself off from caffeine after midday. Of course, everyone is different, but it's important to find a balance that works for you. Let's ditch the caffeine loop and focus on better energy management for optimal performance and productivity. Have you been a caffeine addict in the past like me? Share your thoughts in the comments!

If you feel drained every day even after just waking up, there might be an issue with your energy levels. Drinking coffee is not a solution. Here's what coffee does to your body: ☕ Hides exhaustion ☕ Makes it harder to sleep at night ☕ Caffeine increases alertness by interfering with certain chemical processes in the brain that regulate the sleep-wake cycle. However, once the body completely metabolizes caffeine, it can make people feel tired. Here are better options for you to try: ⚡ Get some morning sun: It will give you more energy and make it easier for you to sleep at night. ⚡ Avoid blue lights before bed: Don't use your phone or computer at least 2 hours before bedtime. ⚡ Ensure you get enough nutrition and minerals: Lack of proper nutrition and minerals might be the reason you have low energy. SAVE THIS. #aphrod #boostenergy #energyboost #healthylifestyle

2 weeks ago it started like this - Monday & Tuesday; Zero Food (Zero Calories) but only water, tea, black coffee. - Tuesday night had my first meal since Sunday. - Wednesday 1 meal - Thursday 1 meal - Friday 1 meal - Saturday 1 meal - Sunday 1 meal This 2nd week from Monday to Saturday (Yesterday) 3 meals per day as such; - 1st meal; 4-6 boiled eggs, 1 apple, green tea - 2nd meal; as well - 3rd meal; soups, salads, fish (I also eliminated the option of beef & chicken as protein intake, will only go with sea food) desserts made of oats, fruits, honey… Takeaways so far; My mind and body felt more energized due to less food intakes and basically due to less digestions. The need for daily power naps disappeared. My stomach decreased in size. Learnings; Setting our mind and body on a starvation mode from time to time feels awesomely good and have all the health benefits we need, new brain cells and cells rejuvenation…. Sharing this wonderful experience so that each one of you can research about fasting and/or try it. Note that our organs renewable cycle happens every 7 years, our skeleton is renewed every 10 years. So depending on what we eat and how much, we decide of what our body & mind will be made of and most importantly our immune system! Happy for everyone of you who will engage in such a wonderful experience. Hint; I was motivated to do it with the help of my a friend Jad Lahoud who initiated it and my cousin Joseph Nehme who engaged doing it with me and Jad. Wishing Good Health for Everyone Enjoy Fasting #fasting #starvation #mode #mind #body #renewables #cells #newbuild #brainhealth #digestion #food #qualityfirst #organicfarming #localfarmers #healthawareness

How I cut carbs from my life. (and you can as well) Here are 4 simple ways: 1. Use a serrated knife to cut your bread 2. Use an apple cutter to slice your apple 3. Use your hand to break a donut apart 4. Use a veggie spiralizer or mandoline These are great tools that you can use to cut your carbs ;) Carbohydrates are essential for energy production and contain fiber for our good gut bugs 🤙 We want them in our lives. Pro tip: - Pair carbs with protein and fat - Include the skin of veggies and fruits whenever possible for extra fiber Reasons: - It gives us a more sustainable release of glucose - Less snacking and craving - More energy - Better mood Removing food groups creates restrictions and unnecessary stress. It should be a red flag (unless you have a particular health condition) Ps. Are carbs your friend or foe? Repost or share this post if you found it helpful 🌸

⏰ 💼 Did you know timing your meals can play a crucial role in achieving your weight loss goals, especially with a busy work schedule? 💡 Here’s 3 reasons why it matters: ⏳ Regulating Hunger: Eating at regular intervals helps regulate hunger hormones, keeping cravings at bay and preventing overeating later in the day. By spacing out your meals evenly, you can maintain better control over your appetite and make healthier choices. Those office treats won’t get the best of you! ⛽ Boosting Metabolism: Eating consistently throughout the day keeps your metabolism running smoothly. When you go too long without eating, your body may enter starvation mode, slowing down your metabolism and making it harder to burn calories efficiently. By fueling your body regularly, you can keep your metabolism revved up and optimize fat burning. Never let your body run on empty! ⚖ Balancing Blood Sugar: Timing your meals can help stabilize blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of energy crashes and cravings for sugary snacks. By choosing nutrient-rich foods and eating them at strategic times, you can maintain steady energy levels and avoid the highs and lows that come with erratic eating patterns. You will be able to stay more focused and productive at work! Remember, achieving weight loss is about more than just what you eat - it’s also about when you eat. By paying attention to the timing of your meals and snacks, you can support your body’s natural rhythms and maximize your progress towards your goals while excelling in your corporate career. 🌐 Visit https://lnkd.in/edv6Uvyt for more details! #mealtime #corporatewellness #corporatehealth #metabolichealth #reducestress #energyboost #fatburning #fitnesstips #corporatecoaching