As most of us would know, Carnival is one of the biggest and more renowned celebrations in our twin island republic. In addition to attracting patrons from all over the world, it is a time when people let go of their inhibitions and let loose.
It is also a time when the human physique is on display and as such participants want to have their bodies in an immaculate condition for the festivities. Thus the importance of taking care of one’s body in a holistic manner cannot be underscored, especially during the hectic pace that comes with the Carnival season.
The word ‘health’ refers to a state of complete emotional and physical wellbeing…some serious factors for good health includes genetics, the environment, relationships and education. A healthy diet, an exercise program, screening for diseases, learning strategies and coping mechanisms with every day stress certainly complements that health package. In today’s hectic world that we live in, maintaining our good health is a priority. It’s very easy to get caught up in the noise and before you know it, stress has taken center stage and put us in a corner where our diet is terrible and poor lifestyle choices is our only way.
It is important to note that our diet, exercise and behavioural choices can have a significant effect on our health. If your diet is of a poor quality and you are inactive, you are a serious candidate for chronic disease such as heart issues, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes. Maintaining a generally healthy body will require you to make sure you are making healthy choices in multiple areas of your life.
A healthy weight equals a healthy body; it’s simply a part of the equation. Remember calories are a unit of measurement. You eat calories from food and that energy is used to fuel your bodily activities throughout the day. However if you constantly and unwittingly eat calories that would do the body harm, it’s only a matter of time before something goes wrong. It’s very easy for the body to habituate to the negative in cases like this and you suffer a great deal. Without a balanced diet it is almost impossible to maintain proper health.
A balanced diet means that you consume foods from each food group most, if not every day. In addition, you want to consume a variety of foods within each food group because having a wide variety of foods from different food groups would allow you to consume a variety of different nutrients. Note that a balanced diet also means eating to proportions of servings of each food. Pay attention to these essential factors (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fibre, vitamins, minerals and water). Be very aware, there are a wide range of processed foods, including both nutritious and unhealthy options, many of which are loaded with serious calories, fats, sugar and preservatives. There are tons of foods out there that are considered healthy and nutritious yet belong to the ‘processed’ category I suggest that you use these types of foods in moderation or stay away from them entirely. Chose wisely when you are eating more indulgent items such as chips, sweetened beverages, frozen meals, pastries and fast foods; read the labels on your foods and if you can’t pronounce the words, leave that item right there! Do your best to incorporate these few things and I assure you that your Carnival would be a blast! For more Health tips and information, keep reading the Health Plus Magazine in the Trinidad Guardian.
-
Alloy Johnson
Locally known as Doctor Groove, he brings a savvy understanding of fitness, nutrition, and psychology to his training and empowering regimes. A student at the University of Western Ontario, he believes in a holistic approach to achieving well-rounded individuals. He has been commissioned to invigorate many a youth empowerment project and has co-opted to dynamise motivational speaking engagements and inspirational workshops throughout Tobago.