Food and Its Effects on Your Body

We think of food a lot.

When we’re sad, we eat. When we’re overjoyed, we eat. When we’re bored, we instinctively get up to find something to occupy some of that empty space in our mouths.

And when you’re in Singapore, a melting pot of different cultures, our love for food and its ease of accessibility for most cuisines you can think of, transcends all and brings us together.

No matter what language rolls off our tongues or whether we think Singlish should be our national language or not, we are one because of this affinity with what we eat.

However, too much of anything is no good for anyone, even when it comes to food.

We Are What We Eat

Your body and health are reflections of what you consume.

The food you choose sends signals to your body, and if you don’t put the food that sends the correct signs, you can become underweight, overweight, malnourished, and even at risk of diseases and illnesses.

For example, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, stroke and cancer can happen due to a diet high in sugar and fat. If you always go for unhealthy food like pastries, junk food, fried food and other oily foods, you’re well on your way to disaster.

The Role of Food

Food contains necessary nutrients that are needed for our bodies to function. They are needed for development, growth and maintenance. When a necessary nutrient is absent, it eventually leads to health decline.

When you choose certain foods, like processed hotdogs or french fries, they may appeal to your tastebuds, but most, if not all, of the nutrients are usually lost using the refining process. They become empty calories that don’t give us what we truly need.

Processed foods also contain artificial flavourings, additives and other harmful chemicals. These substances can give our bodies the wrong signals we don’t want.

Food and Our Way of Life

Today, life is often hectic and fast-paced. We find it difficult to avoid seeking out convenient foods, like fast food, when we’re busy and rushed. Fast food always has its appeal: the food tastes great, and it’s also prepared quickly.

Instead of considering our needs, we tend to cater to convenience and our wants. This has shaped many of our food choices, resulting in unhealthy diets we should change.

Be Mindful of What You Eat

Before you grab that pack of chips, think of what you should be eating instead.

Is it a wise choice to snack on an unhealthy processed junk food, or can you swap it out with something healthier and nutritionally better instead? Are you able to balance your meals, and make sure that you commit to healthy choices for most of the time?

Eating mindfully doesn’t mean that you have to stick to only healthy and nutritious foods all the time. It’s okay to indulge and let it go once in a while if you remember to eat them in moderation.

For example, you can have occasional fast food meals once in a while, as long as you stick to a healthy diet for the other meals. Don’t force yourself to only have healthy meals if you’re not used to it, because it may backfire when your “battery” runs out and your cravings take over.