Do you or someone you know struggle with poor nutrition or body image? Good food allows your brain and body to perform at an optimal level. Your mindset and self-talk are other key factors that impact your overall health and how your body functions.

What’s Body Image?

Body image is how comfortable you feel in your body. Are you happy or disappointed with the way you look? Body image is important because how you feel and think about your appearance impacts your self-worth. A negative body image can often increase the risk of mental and behavioral health concerns like depression and eating disorders.

Improve Your Body Image

Positive thoughts about your body aren’t always automatic. To help change the way you feel about yourself and to improve your self-esteem, try to:

Appreciate what your body is capable of
Recognize that no one has a perfect body
Reduce your stress
Say positive affirmations to yourself, especially when you have negative thoughts
See yourself beyond your physical features; celebrate your mind and talents
Worry less about diet trends and more about eating a healthy, well-balanced diet

How to Be Healthy

Many factors contribute to your wellness, like your physical, emotional, social, and intellectual health. Nutrition plays a crucial role in your physical health, and body image can make a difference in your emotional and social health.

Why Nutrition Matters

Your body needs energy and nutrients from food to be healthy. Nutrients your body needs are carbohydrates, fats, minerals, proteins, vitamins, and water. When you eat healthy food, it helps:

Boost your immune system
Give you more energy
Increase your lifespan by reducing stress on your body
Lift your mood
Maintain a healthy body weight
Reduce the risk of chronic disease

Best Foods for Your Brain & Body

Set your body up for success each day when you consume:

Half your body weight in ounces of water
Whole foods like vegetables, fruits, and non-processed grains
Healthy fats from seeds, walnuts, tofu, and fish
Lean protein from meats, fish, beans, and low-fat dairy products
Carbohydrates from yogurt, brown rice, apples, oats, and popcorn

Natural herbs and spices are a fun way to change the flavor of your food and can help prevent illness.

Foods to Avoid

To feel your best, limit:

Alcohol
Salt
Sugar
Saturated fat like butter, bacon, sausage, and cheese
Trans fat like fried foods, stick margarine, and frozen pizza

Improve Your Overall Health

Talk to your primary care provider about how to create a personalized plan that helps you build new habits to promote a positive body image and reach your nutrition goals.