Top 5 Nutrition Mistakes

​March is National Nutrition Month so let’s kick it off by talking about some of the biggest mistakes people make about their nutrition. 

​1. Not putting enough importance on water.

We’ve been told for as long as time that our bodies need water. But how do we know we’re getting enough and what happens when we don’t?

The magic number that has been given to us is 64 ounces of water per day. Some people may also have heard that you need to take your weight in pounds and divide it by two which tells you how many ounces to drink.
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The truth is, everyone needs different amounts of water. Things like exercise, medication, environment, and diet (fresh fruits and vegetables can improve hydration) all have an effect on how much water your body needs. A good rule of thumb is to start with 64 ounces and go from there. 

Signs we’re getting enough water

• Urine is clear
• Healthy skin & hair
• Pass bowel movements easily

Signs you’re dehydrated

• Frequent headaches
• Dry skin and lips
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Hungry & thirsty

2. ​Obsessing about the newest diet.

The number one thing that people come to me for health coaching is help with their nutrition goals. They aren’t sure where to start and all they’ve heard about is this diet or that diet. I’m always happy to guide these people to what will work for them and we work through it together.
 
The biggest take away is what works for one person does NOT work for everyone. 

3. ​Ignoring your body.

Your body has a built-in system to tell you what it needs. These are cues that we have learned to ignore over the years.
 
It’s time to relearn to listen to our body if you can't quickly and easily answer the following

• When am I hungry
• When am I full
• What am I really craving
• What do I still need to eat to satisfy my needs

A great resource to begin to listen to your body is to learn more about Intuitive Eating.

4. ​Forgetting the basics.

This goes along with the fad diet mistake. We can get blinded so quickly by unbelievable results and amazing promises that we forget about the decades of research and thousands of professionals that have devoted their lives to nutrition standards.
 
If you haven’t had a nutrition refresher since the good ol’ food pyramid days, it’s time to take a visit to choosemyplate.gov to get a feel for what the normal nutrition standards are.

5. ​The final nutrition mistake is committing the restriction-binge cycle.

We all know treats and junk food are not the best for us, but they sure do taste good! There are a few very strong that can 100% deny empty calorie foods. But for the rest of us, going without a treat for too long can cause us to break. As soon as we give in, we REALLY give in.
 
If the guilt of binges is too much. Stop. Give in just a little and remember to savor the treat so you don’t continue the binge.

If you are guilty of any of these, don’t beat yourself up. Nutrition doesn’t have to be complicated or cause a lot of guilt. If you need a little kick start to begin a healthier relationship with your nutrition goals, head on over to the Facebook monthly challenge group where we’ll all ease into these habits together!