A large portion of the population believes that their dietary choices are healthy and even help in disease prevention.
Unfortunately, this is far away from the truth, especially in individuals prone to thyroid dysfunction, which may exacerbate their condition even further.
Nutrition fuels our bodies, and gives us energy within 3-6 hours of eating depending on the form of nutrition. But the majority of people do nutrition wrong!
Breakfast
Generally speaking, the first energy intake occurs in the morning after 7-8 hours of fasting during sleep, which makes breakfast an extremely important meal.
Unfortunately, most people are neglecting the importance of breakfast.
Before we cover Australia’s breakfast, let’s see how other countries do it:
The United States of America (USA): cereal, toast, and coffee, bacon, eggs, sausages, and fried tomato.
Japan: mixed rice with either ikura or uni, eggs with furikake, grilled fish, Miso soup, Natto.
India: roti (flatbread), dosas (i.e., thin crepes made of lentils), idlis, dips, chutneys, and potatoes.
The common theme between these countries is the relatively low amount of carbohydrates in their breakfast, which is a very good sign.
The Aussie Breakfast
In Australia, people start their day by eating toast with Vegemite or nut butter with coffee, and in some cases, just coffee.
The problem with these foods is their high glycemic index (GI), which refers to the time needed for blood sugar levels to spike after ingesting the food.
Consequently, the pancreas quickly responds by secreting insulin in the bloodstream, which predisposes people to type 2 diabetes.
This process also boosts the secretion of the adrenal gland, leading to chronically elevated cortisol levels and a predisposition to obesity, cardiovascular disease, and binge-eating.
A few hours after breakfast, brain fog takes place.
The Aussie Lunch
By the time of lunch, the addictive properties of the carb-rich breakfast you had will kick in, which some people fight and opt for a relatively healthy meal (e.g., salad sandwich, ham).
Unfortunately, this sets in motion another issue by giving you a feeling of gratification that justifies another carb meal around 3PM to keep you going through the day. As a result, the cycle of insulin spikes gets turned on again.
After work, you may hit the gym to get your muscles working, which also drives you towards one final carb/protein-rich meal.
The Aussie Dinner
The biggest flaw in the Australian diet is the focus on having a balanced, nutritious meal at night, which may benefit your body but will also be a major source of lipogenesis (i.e., fat storage) since you are not using any organ system at full capacity.
The same pattern is observed in the USA and UK, explaining the high incidence of obesity and its related complications in these countries.
One of the major long-term complications of carb-rich diets is hormonal imbalance that affects the thyroid and adrenal glands, leading to disrupted metabolism and fatigue.
Here are some signs and symptoms that suggest endocrine dysfunction:
Chronic fatigue
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), constipation, diarrhea
Nausea and vomiting
Food craving
Obesity
High blood sugar levels
Brain fog
General anxiety and mood swings
Heightened sense of smell
Profuse sweating
Decreased libido
Muscular and joint pain
The type of foods you consume will determine your health and the way you feel during the day, as well as your risk of developing certain conditions. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, book in a call to speak to our naturopath about your wellbeing and find out whether anything can be done to help.
Ask yourself:
What if I had more energy throughout the day?
What if these symptoms were alleviated?
What if I got new insights into my symptoms that I was needing?
Usually you can not see the forest for the woods when you're running low and exhausted. You 're just trying your best to get the simple tasks of living completed.
Yet there's a healthier, clearer way forward and we will help you get back your vitality, support you with your weight loss goals and teach you the best way to eat energy and long-term wellness for your body.
Your needs are our top priority, and you’ll get a tailored plan that takes into consideration your habits and strengths to optimise the results you’re getting.
Simply connect with us about how we can support your current health concerns and improve your nutritional intake to reduce symptoms and the health concerns you are having.
In good health,
Suzzi Hartery
BHSc Naturopath (Distinction) The Feel Good Society Founder & Head Practitioner
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