Diet, Nutrition, and Weight Management
The choices you make each day and the actions you take can lead to a healthier lifestyle. Making positive choices in the areas of physical fitness, stress, work, relationships, medication and nutrition — and acting on them — promotes a sense of accomplishment and well-being.
There are other benefits from these choices, too. Making a lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle can reduce the effect of chronic medical illness, give you more energy, increase your self-esteem and confidence, and reduce the risk of worsening the symptoms of bipolar disorder or relapse.
Health Problems Associated With a Poor Diet
The typical American diet can cause significant health problems because it is high in fat, salt and sugar, and low in fiber and vital nutrients. Even though most of us have healthy food options available, we tend to make poor food choices. Poor dietary habits, in combination with lack of exercise and high stress, have been connected to such health problems as obesity, coronary heart disease, and high blood pressure.
People with mental illness are at a higher risk for developing diabetes. The FDA recommends diabetes screenings for patients who are taking certain types of antipsychotics. Being overweight and being inactive can put you at an even greater risk for diabetes. Therefore, it's important to make healthy food choices and exercise regularly.
A healthy body contributes enormously to a healthy mind. Committing to a healthy lifestyle can help you manage your weight, be more active and/or simply feel better.
Learn more about:
Guidelines for a Healthy Diet
The Role of Water in Good Nutrition
Dealing With Weight Management
Talk to Your Doctor
If you have additional questions or concerns about this topic, talk to your doctor.
