In a previous blog post, we talked about how nutrition links oral health and overall wellbeing. And since the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics sponsors National Nutrition Month every March, now is the perfect time to emphasize some nutritional best practices that will keep your smile – and your whole body – healthy.
Healthy Snack Choices
High-calorie snacks such as chips, candy, and soft drinks contain lots of fat and added sugar. They not only cause weight gain, hypertension, and increased blood sugar levels, but they also cause tooth decay.
On the other hand, low calorie choices such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provide the needed energy boost while avoiding the problems to your teeth and body.
Use Proximity to Your Advantage
By keeping healthy snacks nearby, you can eliminate the temptation of the vending machines or the convenience store down the street. Some easy and healthy ideas are:
- fresh fruit
- air-popped popcorn
- whole-wheat crackers
- dried fruit and nut mixes
- almonds
- fat-free yogurt
Beverage Choice Is Important Too
Sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks, and flavored waters are extremely high in added sugars. They add major amounts of calories to your diet and pose a huge threat to the enamel on your teeth. As a result, many people have ruined an otherwise smart nutrition plan by drinking them.
Water provides all the nutrients your body needs with the added benefit of fluoride. Drinking it to replenish after exercise or to sip on during work hours will do your whole body an enormous favor.
National Nutrition Month
The theme for 2015 is “Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle,” which encourages everyone to adopt eating and physical activity plans that are focused on consuming fewer calories, making informed food choices and getting daily exercise in order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease and promote overall health. For more information, visit http://www.nationalnutritionmonth.org/nnm/
Contact Us for Nutrition Tips
We take nutrition counseling seriously. Our office knows what foods and drinks promote good oral health, and which ones are best to resist. Contact our office if you have any questions about your nutrition or a food’s affect on your teeth.
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