Last week for Fall Reset, we talked about macronutrients and why they matter.
Macros (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) are the nutrients that we need in large quantities. Micronutrients, on the other hand, are nutrients that we only need in trace amounts. However, the fact that we need small amounts of micros doesn’t make them any less important.
Vitamins and minerals (including antioxidants and electrolytes) are essential to our overall health and wellness. These micronutrients aid in the production of enzymes, hormones, and proteins that are critical to body and brain function.
Micronutrient deficiencies can cause significant, long-lasting health problems, both physically and cognitively.
Reset Homework: Something To Try This Week
The easy micronutrient fix we have been sold is to buy more supplements. Multivitamins, green powders, red powders, shakes, pills, drops—the supplement industry is a $140 billion global industry and growing, yet rates of chronic illness keep growing, too.
Do some supplements help address micronutrient deficiencies? Of course, but we should be prioritizing whole foods as our dietary source first for most of our micronutrient needs.
This week, add more colours to all your meals. Reds, greens, purples, oranges—the more the better. The easiest way to do this is by adding a variety of fruits and vegetables to each meal. The more variety in colour, the more variety of micronutrients you’re packing into that meal.
Your goal is to have three distinct colours on your plate for all three meals every day.
Keep Up With Last Week’s Homework
After last week’s email, you should already be prioritizing protein. Now you’re adding colour. By tackling both of those, you can have an immediate and powerful impact on your energy levels, satiety, and long-term health.
Next Week: Food Hygiene
Nutrition isn’t just about what you eat. HOW you eat matters more than you think—but more on that next week!