A Nutritionist Shares 5 Foods to Eat for Long-Term Wellness
It’s safe to say that wellness is no trend — it’s an integral part of a modern woman’s lifestyle that encompasses self-care, nutrition, fitness, beauty, and spirituality. We saw matcha, meditation, and float tanks ramp up within the wellness world last year, and according to nutritionist and author Kimberly Snyder, they aren’t going anywhere in 2018. We chatted with Snyder about her own wellness goals for the coming year and what kind of “functional foods” (read: nutrient-dense, super-beneficial eats that are packed with health benefits) we should be consuming on the regular.
What does wellness mean in 2018?
Trend or no trend, Snyder explains that “our physical, emotional, and mental well-being is all connected. Wellness is not just about physical health, although that is key. It also means a more energized, joyful, clear, and beautiful life all around.”
And while we all may still be figuring out what wellness means to us on an individual level, Snyder suggests that “wellness is governed by our daily habits, and our daily habits are so much more than just our diet. They incorporate our overall lifestyle habits.” She even teaches an entire class on daily routines, or Dinacharya. This can include “an extensive oral program to meditation and yoga practices to a daily self-oil massage practice.” We love learning about the morning routines of successful people and incorporating self-care rituals into our own routines.
Basically, Snyder says, “There is a growing consciousness in all areas of life, beyond food and fitness. You can see it with the rise of female empowerment and equality, a growing interest in meditation, and so on.” It’s time to put your health and wellness front and center in 2018, ladies.
5 functional foods to carry you through 2018
1. Turmeric: Add this anti-inflammatory spice to a DIY face mask, cup of tea, or veggie grain bowl. Not only does turmeric reduce redness and increase radiance in your skin, but it also acts as an antioxidant, fighting cancer-causing free radical cells internally.
2. Manuka Honey: Pollinated from New Zealand’s Manuka tree, this supercharged honey is an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant wonder. It helps regulate digestion, keeps colds at bay, alleviates allergy symptoms, and helps treat problem skin.
3. Bone Broth: We know it sounds gross — animal collagen and gelatin?! — but bone broth strengthens your own bones, improves flexibility, and even wards off arthritis. Bone broth can also heal myriad digestive issues and even help you absorb more nutrients from other foods, so it makes a great mid-afternoon snack.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar: The taste may take some getting used to, but a tablespoon of ACV in the morning helps regulate blood sugar levels, makes you feel fuller longer, reduces blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, relieves acid reflux, and makes your hair shiny. If you just can’t stomach the stuff, try mixing it with olive oil, salt, pepper, dried oregano, and minced garlic for a zippy homemade salad dressing.
5. Kombucha: Any fermented veggie/drink will do to add super beneficial probiotics to your gut. This naturally occurring bacteria boosts your immune system, enhances digestion, fights food-borne illnesses, and helps prevent urinary tract infections. Basically, if it has to do with your tummy, probiotics help it run smoothly.
what are youR personal wellness goals for 2018?
Snyder says, “My goals have to do with incorporating more self-care rituals. I already have rituals in the morning and in the evening. I also want to incorporate more during the day — drink more elixirs, take mini meditation breaks, etc. I have such full, busy days, writing, running the business, and running after the baby, that I want to incorporate rituals throughout my whole day to help keep me balanced!” Sounds like a plan.
no time CONSTRAINTS: what’s your perfect morning routine?
“The first thing I do in the morning when I wake up is a morning meditation. Starting your morning with meditation or mindful breathing allows you to become more aware and in tune with your body.
“Then it’s a mug of hot water with lemon. Lemon aids with digestion by increasing the secretion of bile from the liver, while also acting as a strengthening agent to the liver’s enzymes. Lemon supports digestion in the colon, promoting the elimination of waste more efficiently and regularly. It also acts as a blood purifier and as a cleansing agent to flush out bacteria and toxins in the body. These properties in aiding digestion make it also helpful in long-term cleansing. Although it has natural citric acids, lemon is actually alkaline-forming upon digestion.
“Then I take two of my SBO Probiotics. The right kinds of probiotics are a powerful combination that promote beauty, improving your digestion and leading significant improvements in your overall health, wellness, and beauty. I am a big fan of soil-based organism (SBO) probiotics, which mimic the natural beneficial bacteria found in soil that our ancestors used to ingest in small amounts on unwashed veggies from the garden.
“The first thing I eat in the morning is my Glowing Green Smoothie. The GGS is the ultimate energy and beauty booster. It’s loaded with greens, lemon juice, and high-fiber fruit to pack a mega-punch of vitamins, enzymes, minerals such as blood-building iron, amino acids, and fiber. Its high amounts of fiber combined with the enzymes help to flush pollutants and toxins out of your body, which is important for long-term vitality and youthfulness.”
What are your wellness goals for the year? Tweet us @BritandCo and fill us in!
(Photos via Kimberly Snyder)