Everybody has a relationship with food. What is this relationship? It is just simply how, what and when you eat. Some are okay with one meal in the day, some others must eat three times a day, even some must eat more than three times in a day. To some people, it must be a heavy solid meal as breakfast, while others can only make do with light meals i.e. koko, tea and other beverages. Some people eat fruits, others do not eat them. Some people like vegetables, others do not even want to see them in their meals. The list can go on and on.
These relationships are what we call food habits. It is right to say then that everyone has their own food habits. And these habits vary from person to person.
One thing I have noticed with people is that they see the way they eat as the best way of eating. Their relationships with food are good and they find it difficult to make changes.
The fact is that your relationship with food or food habit can be wrong and being open to making small adjustments can help improve your health greatly.
Eating one meal a day may suit your busy schedules perfectly but this might not be the best for you. Imagine so many hours before or after that meal when your body needs energy but there is none. Being a perfect machine, your body will find a way to make energy for itself. This may leave the body with side effects that can affect health the wrong way. For example, eating once a day can lead to high blood cholesterol; just the habit of eating once a day, not even considering what the food itself offers.
In this case, if the food you choose to eat is also full of saturated fats and sugar; then in addition to practicing wrong eating patterns, the food itself predisposes you to developing high blood cholesterol.
Not eating vegetables and fruits simply because you do not like them is disastrous. Vegetables and fruits are full of fibre, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. These are the nutrients that help build a strong immune system. With a strong immune system, you have the power to fight disease causing germs that find their way into your body. That is how humans maintain good health. Their fibre also helps the gut by ensuring free bowel movements and preventing constipation. So, if you don’t eat fruits and vegetables start eating some now, they are good for you. When it comes to fruits, eat them in moderation because too much means too much fruit sugar which can also be bad.
The best way to be sure if your eating habits are right or wrong is to talk to a dietician. Make it part of your health seeking behaviour to have a session with a dietician. Especially after you have done you wellness checks either at a hospital or by visiting a laboratory. Check in with a dietician and show them your lab results. Also tell them what your eating habits are. A word or two from them might be all you need to turn things around.
