The Nutritional Building Blocks for Your Feet
Any packaged item you pick up at the grocery store is riddled with nutritional information about the product. Some of the terms and phrases used can be a little difficult to decipher, but working out facts from misleading marketing can be an important skill. Eating well can help your body stay healthy from your head to your feet (and you can guess which part we’ll be talking about!).
A balanced diet goes a long way in lowering sodium, reducing blood pressure, keeping blood sugars steady, and keeping your body healthy overall. Scientists also say you can ward off diseases like cancer and diabetes by eating right. In growing bodies, healthy eating promotes proper growth of strong bones and tissues.
Your feet and ankles greatly benefit from these positive outcomes. That’s why we here at Prime Foot and Ankle Specialists put together this handy list of what to look for in food labels. Check these out before you put items into your cart:
Sugars: Most nutritional labels list “total sugars,” and “added sugars.” The one you want to limit most is “added sugars.” Some products, like dried fruits, naturally contain sugar, but they also include some fiber to help your body break it down properly. The American Heart Association recommends keeping sugar intake to 36 grams for men and 24 grams for women.
Calcium: Calcium is a mineral that is critical to your bone health. Luckily, calcium can be found in leafy green vegetables, dairy products, fortified foods, non-dairy milks, and fish like sardines or anchovies that are eaten with their bones intact.
Vitamin D: You need vitamin D for your body to absorb calcium. Since vitamin D comes from sunlight, it can be tricky for some people to get year-round, especially if you live in the higher latitudes. If your lifestyle prohibits you from getting outside in the sun regularly, we recommend chatting with your doctor about taking supplements.
Serving sizes: A large bag of chips is no problem for many to sit and munch on by themselves, but it’s most likely that bag is meant to be parsed out in several servings. Look closely at how many servings make up the whole of the nutritional info listed on the package. If you eat two or three times the serving, you’re also doubling the calories, sugars, sodium, and everything else on the label.
Our foot doctors understand the importance of nutrition on your feet and how they can affect our risk for developing certain conditions, especially if you have diabetes. If you need extra support in managing your diet, be sure to seek help from a dietician and share any concerns with our podiatrists! Are you experiencing foot and ankle issues? Then contact any of our locations in Southern NJ (Florence, Pine Hill, Voorhees, and Woodbury Heights) to schedule an appointment today!