“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” Albert Einstein
As children, balance was part of play. We mastered it in the gymnasium or while riding our bikes. The teeter-totter was a major balancing challenge. As adults, balance has taken on a whole new meaning – and how do we fit nutrition in?
Most people focus on attempting to balance work and play, stress and joy.
Those who balance well understand the importance of time management and organization. They take charge, set priorities, choose deliberately, simplify and delegate. Though they feel that they have established a form of balance, it may only be a glimmer of the picture. In terms of long-term health and nutrition, balance means everything.
Even the things that we know are good for us must be kept in balance.
Take exercise as an example. The body was built to move. When we don’t, we risk atrophy, osteopenia, and obesity. However, excessive exercise and hard training are not sustainable over the long haul. Many experienced and successful athletes pay the price with arthritis and other joint issues. Ideally, the body was meant to be active, but moderately, just the right amount. The appropriate amount for each individual is determined not only by ability and mobility but by the nutritional value, quantity and quality of caloric intake.
Eating for nutrition: balance is a complex task
Since everyone is biochemically unique, finding the right nutritional balance is ongoing and ever-changing as we change activities, move jobs and age. Protein: Athletes in training need a little more protein than the average person but not as much as they may think. Carbs: Carbohydrates are an efficient energy source. We know that some protein combined with a proper carbohydrate is important for the maintenance of blood sugar levels. Fats: We all need fat. The key is to get the right kind of fat. The proper balance of omega 3 and 6, is a necessary part of a good diet. A meal should not be too acid-producing and should include lots of alkalizing options. The addition of more greens to the diet is one way to achieve these benefits.
There is no single answer to how we should supplement
When our diets are lacking, we need to supplement & there are more options now than ever before. However, every nutritional supplement needs to be in balance with others and in accordance with the unique individual. For example, magnesium is one that is often deficient in individuals. It aids in the effectiveness of calcium and will often help with various aches and pains, but too much magnesium will cause unpleasant bowel issues.
Nutrition: An ever-changing balancing point
Despite the notion that balance exists creeps into every aspect of life, perhaps it is safe to say that true and total balance is elusive. Since life circumstances are ever-changing and we find ourselves in flux, we must continually strive to redefine our own balance.
The goal, then, is to achieve balance over time, cumulatively, but not necessarily at any one point. If you find yourself experiencing joy despite moments of struggle, then you are well on the way to ensuring longer-term personal equilibrium.
Information in this publication is for the purpose of sharing information only. It is not intended for diagnosis or treatment, nor is it a substitute for consultation with a medical doctor or health care professional. Readers are encouraged to investigate all ideas, products and/or services before committing to them. Authors will not be held responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from the use of any information in this publication.
