In a world of convenience, it's easy to lose sight of what matters — a nutrient-dense, balanced diet. These five quotes will motivate you to make lasting changes.
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Obesity rates in America continue to threaten public health, as recent data shows nearly 42% of adults aged 20 and over are obese.
We live in an age when convenience often trumps nutrition, and only one in 10 adults eats enough fruits and vegetables. The issues are apparent, yet there appears to be a disconnect concerning Americans' awareness of how bad the issue is. Following a survey of 3,000 U.S. adults, around 75% ranked their diets as good, very good, or excellent. Yet when factoring in the evidence surrounding obesity, diabetes, and hypertension rates, it's clear that something needs to change.
Whether your goal is to lose weight, address a current health concern, or be proactive regarding your overall well-being, becoming more aware of your nutritional needs is the first step. Here are five nutrition quotes to inspire you toward optimal health and a more balanced diet.
"Exercise is king. Nutrition is queen. Put them together, and you've got a kingdom."
To kick off this list of nutrition quotes, few people are as iconic in the American fitness and nutrition space as Jack LaLanne. He was a pioneer, inspiring people to incorporate nutrition into their fitness goals and teaching the principles of a proper diet. This quote showcases the importance of nutrition, especially among active people who aim to increase their fitness levels. Nutrient-dense foods are required for energy and recovery, helping the body heal and thrive.
You'll achieve a synergistic effect when combining exercise and balanced nutrition. Data shows that combined diet and physical activity yield better results than on their own, especially when focusing on disease prevention.
"Your diet is a bank account. Good food choices are good investments."
This quote was said by Bethenny Frankel, an American businesswoman known for her lifestyle brand, Skinnygirl.
When you eat well, you invest in your health today and in the future. Much like investing money, your health can benefit from a "compounding interest" effect when you eat a balanced diet daily. The earlier you prioritize health habits, the better. In the beginning, the effects can appear modest. However, over time, the effects of compound interest will reach a point where the payoff is immense.
"The food you eat can be the safest form of medicine or the slowest form of poison."
Anne Wigmore said this quote — she was a woman who was ahead of her time. Born in 1909, this naturopath, raw food advocate, and holistic health practitioner was heavily influenced by nutrition that encouraged people to return to nature.
This quote showcases the two sides of food, especially in the standard American diet. Healthy foods will help your body and mind be the best they can be. In contrast, unhealthy foods can act as a poison, contributing to disease.
Unsure where to start? Here are some disease-fighting suggestions to eat weekly:
• Fatty fish, such as wild-caught salmon
• Lentils
• Dark leafy greens
• Seeds and nuts, such as pumpkin seeds and walnuts
• Oats
• Antioxidant-rich foods, like blueberries and bell peppers
"Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food. There are a great many food-like items in the supermarket your ancestors wouldn't recognize as food (Go-Gurt? Breakfast-cereal bars? Non-dairy creamer? Stay away from these."
Michael Pollan is an award-winning journalist and author — he said this one. He is known for writing about topics that focus on the places where nature and culture meet. Hot topics include farming, gardening, the environment, and what ends up on our plates.
This quote showcases how rapidly our food has changed. It's not just our ancient ancestors that wouldn't recognize some of today's common foods, but the great-grandmothers of people alive today. This timeline means that in the past few decades, our food has significantly evolved into something many deem unrecognizable concerning whole food. The result is metabolic-related diseases and a growing diabetes epidemic.
Nutrition can be complex, so start with the basics. Cutting out processed foods will be a massive step toward a more balanced diet. Start small and slowly build a healthy relationship with food. The more you learn, the better. Develop healthy habits that eventually become second nature.
"To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art."
La Rochefoucauld was an accomplished French moralist who, at the time, had zero insight into what food has become. He'd be one of those individuals that would be baffled by a frozen TV dinner or processed pastries packaged in plastic. However, he was onto something here.
He understood that food = fuel. You need to eat food to survive. But if you want to thrive, you must eat intelligently, combining the right balance between protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, etc. For example, today, many people consume a lot of trans fats, sugary foods, and salty processed foods — yet few foods with healthy fats or antioxidants. There is an imbalance, and while the warning signs are subtle at first, long term, this diet creates an environment where instances of weight gain and illness accelerate.
Check out these healthy carbs for breakfast, foods to avoid if you want to reduce inflammation, and nutritious school lunch ideas to get started!
Now is the time to take action
When it comes to nutrition quotes, few are as sobering and impactful as the English proverb, "Don't dig your grave with your own knife and fork." Altering the way you view food and your ability to develop healthier habits won't be an overnight process. Start making small changes today to protect your health for years to come.
Learn more: How to Make or Break a Habit