Introduction to Nutrition

Since starting my Fitness journey back in 2020 weighing in at around 100lbs total bodyweight at the age of 16yrs old there is lots that I have learned over the years of steady progression. I would like to dedicate this section towards helping others who may have been or currently are in the same situation that I was in. Being skinny or slim is not always a good thing, for a variety of reasons. During this period of my life I was very unhealthy mentally and physically. I suffered in darkness and told myself that not many other individuals would understand my situation which just pushed me further away from the want to socialise with people of my age. I am not going to put this entirely down to the fact that my nutrition was not in check but as I have gotten older I can definitely see how it was a large factor that influenced my mental health. "You are what you eat" this is so true, "Health is Wealth" again so true. These are both phrases that people will throw around at times, but until you have experienced both sides yourself you can not fully comprehend how influential and detrimental the foods that we eat have an impact on our wellbeing. The process of declining health is not a minor subject and I believe staying fit and healthy should be one of the most important priorities for almost every individual.

In many countries, the abundance of fast food, baked goods, and various pastries is pervasive, often aggressively marketed to entice consumers. These visually tempting products, while delicious, generally lack essential nutritional value and can be detrimental to health. High consumption of over-processed, high-fat foods poses serious risks, leading to numerous health issues such as heart disease, stroke, and transient ischemic attacks (TIA). The primary causes of these conditions revolve around the clogging of arteries and the resultant impediment to blood flow. Furthermore, excessive intake of unhealthy foods can result in the body becoming resistant to hormones, exacerbating the negative impact on overall health. It is crucial to recognize the long-term consequences of indulging in these appealing yet harmful options and to prioritize more nutrient-dense alternatives for a healthier lifestyle. Which is easier said than done.

In 2020 a large proportion of my diet was devoted to nutrient-lacking snacks. Crisps (walkers-flame-grilled-chicken-wings, was my go to), biscuits, cakes I would consume caffeine right before bed. It really was an unhealthy period for me. What's funny is the fact that I was still drastically underweight. Now that I have expanded my knowledge on general nutrition, have been working as a chef for a good few years now and am currently studying for my level 4 CertHE in Nutrition it hurts me to look back at how negatively impactful my eating habits used to be.