Ditch your one-note diet

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If humans ate the same foods every day, they likely would become vitamin and mineral deficient.

I was watching a television show about people with unusual eating habits.  The episode featured a man who had eaten nothing but cheeseburgers since the age of 5.

And the burger could not have any condiments on it -- just a patty, cheese and a bun.  The man, who is now in his 30s, developed his eating habit as a child.  His mother said after her son tasted his first burger, he refused to eat anything else.

The man now suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and other disorders related to his poor diet.  Not to mention, he fears new foods and has no desire to eat healthy because he doesn’t know how to.

Talk about a lack of variety.  Although the man is clearly an extreme case, it is not unusual for children to carry eating behaviors from childhood into adulthood.  In fact, childhood eating habits are one of the main factors that shape our adult eating habits, along with socialization, environment, economics, education and tradition.

So, if as a child you enjoyed home cooked meals daily with your family, you are likely to repeat that habit as an adult.  And the more educated you are about nutrition and health, the more likely you are to eliminate poor habits practiced in childhood.

In is not unusual for me to have discussion with people about what they eat and why they eat what they eat.  Mainly, I find people afraid of the unknown and hesitant to branch out.    Ultimately, they find themselves bored with their diets and in need of a nutritional boost in the form of vitamins and minerals.

So what’s the best way to avoid having to take food supplements and to avoid becoming vitamin deficient?  Variety!

Assuming you don’t have a disease that’s causing your deficiency, you can change your situation by changing what you eat.  The healthiest people are people who eat a variety of fruits, vegetable, grains, seed/nuts and protein.  Health professionals say eating a variety of foods also helps you maintain and manage your weight better.

Variety keeps eating fun and exciting while providing your body with everything it needs.  Challenge yourself to eat a colorful diet as colorful fruits and veggies have the most nutrients. The best way to try new foods is to ask people who enjoy eating a variety.  They can help educate you and show you how to prepare and or eat foods that are foreign to you.

Also, when I focus on a nutritious variety -- i.e. fruits, vegetable, grains -- I find myself satisfied and less likely to snack on or eat unhealthy foods.

If you’re unsure about what vitamins are in what foods, click here for a list.

And if you are concerned about a deficiency, you should see your physician.  He or she can request the necessary blood work that will measure your vitamin levels.

I am a certified Crossfit Kettlebell instructor, triathlete and former trained dancer. I am not a nutritionist or a doctor. Information I share is based on my own research and experience. Before beginning a diet or fitness routine you should consult your physician or a health professional. For question and comments about this blog, contact me at akiia.james@abc11mail.com.