Healthy Habits: Why Eating Smart is More Important than Ever

As the country comes out of quarantine, health and wellness needs to be at the forefront of the conversation and that starts with nutrition. Many Americans have been sheltering in place and working from home and while that is having a positive effect on “flattening the curve,” there are some negative effects. The added stress of the past few months can cause us to eat more and adopt less healthy habits such as mindless snacking and overeating. Given all the juggling that families are doing, many may simply grab whatever is close at hand -- and likely not very healthy. 

Packing on the pounds is a potential problem. Today, nearly 3 out of 4 Americans are overweight or obese and 50 percent of adults are diabetic or prediabetic. Recent research has shown that in the United States, the majority of individuals needing hospitalization due to COVID-19 had a pre-existing health condition. This is the time to really think about what you are eating as it truly does impact your overall health. 

In order to stay safe, we are encouraged to keep our distance, wear a mask when out in public and wash our hands for 20 seconds. Other ways to take control of our health include making 

smart eating choices, such as:

• Reducing sugars - the World Health Organization recently urged adults to limit sugar consumption to less than six teaspoons a day.

• Incorporating a balance of foods loaded with protein and healthy fats as well as non-starchy veggies. People don’t realize the high amount of carbohydrates they are eating, and a low carb approach has been shown to keep blood sugar levels steady.

• Lifestyle tips to help overall health, such as moving more, drinking more water and getting good sleep.

• The addition of occasional fruits - these can be a source of added sugars for those with metabolic conditions.

In the video below, Dr. Mark Cucuzzella – a family physician and professor at West Virginia University School of Medicine, discusses simple, small and easy steps people can take to live an overall healthier lifestyle. That includes what to eat and drink and what to avoid, how to stay active while social distancing and the importance of sleep. Dr. Cucuzzella is an advocate for low sugar consumption and recently worked with West Virginia’s Jefferson Medical Center (JMC) to remove all sugary drinks from its vending machines and cafeterias after years of advocacy. His goal is to have more hospitals follow suit. He is currently on the front lines treating patients impacted by COVID-19.