Make a career, maintain your social life, keep your body fit in the gym and then also get a healthy meal. Give it a second. Nevertheless, it is important to make the latter a priority. Our body has a great need for minerals and vitamins, but we do not always get enough of them.
Nutritional advice
Nutritionist and Naturopath Belinda Kirkpatrick encourages women to take time for their own well-being. And what better way to start than with a healthy diet? The health industry is bursting with nutritional advice. However, we often forget that what is good for one person may not be so good for another. Starting with the difference between the two sexes.
Differences between man and woman
Women generally need a lot fewer calories than men. To compensate, we need more minerals and vitamins. Women generally burn fewer calories than men, and they also struggle with hormones that keep fluctuating.
Attention to a healthy diet is therefore of great importance for women. For example, it promotes weight maintenance and supports a healthy mood. Curious about which nutrients you should pay more attention to? We list them.
1. B complex vitamins
These nutrients become ‘depleted’ during stressful times, making them very important for women. They can increase energy, relieve stress, increase concentration and reduce anxiety and depression.
2. Iodine
Although eating seaweed is becoming more and more popular among women, we still eat it too little. We should also do iodized salt and eat egg yolks more often. Because we eat this so little, an iodine deficiency often occurs. Iodine is an essential nutrient for thyroid health. Not getting enough can lead to swollen thyroids, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin and fatigue.
3. Vitamin D
Sitting in the sun is not only fun for a woman, it also strengthens your vitamin D. This vitamin helps our body to absorb calcium and thus contribute to strong bones. In addition, vitamin D is also super important for a healthy immune system. For example, it may help prevent some cancers and improve your mood. Most women don’t notice if they are deficient. Symptoms include fatigue, muscle aches, cramps and feelings of depression.
4. Calcium
Calcium is key to strong bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Calcium is also needed for strong and healthy teeth, the brain and nerves, blood clotting, muscle contraction and a healthy mood. Calcium that comes from food is very important for your body, but note that coffee and salt can reduce the absorption of calcium.
5. Iron
Women menstruate every month. This is simply a monthly cycle that we can do (almost) nothing about. However, this cycle does put us at risk of an iron deficiency, which is not good for our well-being. Iron is very important because it provides energy, but also a good mood, ovulation, sleep and the prevention of hair loss.
Breed scala
It’s good to know that disordered eating often presents itself as ‘super healthy food’. However, this is not the case. It is very important to get a wide range of nutrients, including proteins, healthy fats, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables. A limited intake of food can lead to hormonal problems, fatigue, poor sleep, and so on. So you don’t want that!
Bron: Body and Soul | Beeld: iStock