Does what we eat impact our overall health?

Absolutely. Eating too many processed, high-sugar foods can cause an imbalance in our gut microbiota and feed bad bacteria. On the flip side, certain fruits and vegetables act as a prebiotic and feed good bacteria. Our diets also have a direct impact on our digestive systems. Cruciferous vegetables are very beneficial to colon health, while processed meats like hot dogs are in our doghouse. And of course, eating the proper amount of nutritious foods makes it easier to maintain a healthy weight.

I am at a healthy weight. Why do I have to worry about whether the foods I'm eating are nutritious?

Food does so much more than provide us with calories as a form of energy to fuel our daily lives. Yes, it’s an important function; however, food also provides us biologically functional nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytochemicals. These nutrients provide a wide range of benefits, from helping to prevent disease to keeping our vital organs working properly.

Instead of just focusing on how many calories it has, we should consider if the food or meal is nutrient-dense (rich in beneficial nutrients) or has empty calories (provides calories without offering much value or nutrients). For example, a lollipop only provides refined carbohydrates as simple sugars, while an egg provides protein, fat, vitamins and minerals.

How does what we eat affect how we feel?

Feeling occasional discomfort after eating can happen when your diet is not balanced. It’s important to pay attention to portion sizes and to have the right balance of carbohydrates, protein and fat to keep digestion steady. What we eat goes beyond how we feel physically, though.

Our gut health even influences healthy serotonin and cortisol levels, which impacts mental well-being.