Eat and Grow Strong!

Does having straight teeth have anything to do with our diets?

Well, quite a bit, pardon the pun!

As readers of my previous columns have learned: good health begins in the mouth! Properly aligned teeth and a good upper and lower jaw relationship gives us the ability to chew the vegetables and fruits we need to keep our gut bacteria in good order. Now that’s quite a mouthful!

Studies report that less than 50% of our population gets the fiber they need to keep their intestinal health happily populated by the “good” bacteria!

Why is that? Most of us grew up with our parents, grandparents and teachers trying to convince us that an apple a day is better than a chocolate bar! But as we kick over the traces of good advice, we begin to slip into some really bad habits:

• a coke when water would be better
• a cookie when a few blueberries could do the trick
• a late-night ice cream run when a glass of milk would be healthier (calcium vs sugar)

But I’m not criticizing since we all can fall into “the sugar craving”!

Believe me, it’s hard to pick the better product until you realize two things:

1. It’s a matter of exercising your will to be healthier

2. The craving subsides when you pick the right choice and you give yourself a mental star for the right choice.

3. Go to bed satisfied that you did a good deed for your body.

Okay, that was three things but still….

Start over tomorrow: one night at time and savor the results.

What else can we do to improve our diet?

Eat breakfast! I know, I know, I hated breakfast when I was a kid, too. It really turned my stomach to even think of drinking orange juice to join the dozen M and M’s I ate before bedtime the night before. Ugh!

But here’s something: I was half right! Orange juice is not a great choice, too acidic and too sugary, so skip that! Instead do this:

Start exercising before you even put your feet on the floor. Seriously!

Here’s the formula:

• Wake up to a dark room (planned the night before: no screens, shades down and maybe orange glasses!).
• While you’re still lying down, lift each leg straight up and down 3 times each.
• Bend your knee one leg at a time and do it again 3 times bringing the bent knee up to the chest as possible, don’t push beyond comfort, just move! (This is not yoga, this is just waking up your body.)
• Then bring both knees to your chest, 3 times, don’t force it.
• Flip over and put your hands and knees on the sheets toward the side of the bed; drop the right leg down and flex your ankle 3 times and make a circle three times. Stay in comfort range.
• Then flip around and do the other leg 3 times.

Now that your spouse is awake say “Good Morning”! and dodge the slipper they threw at you!

Do a few “cow and cat” flexes on all fours, again no real straining.

Tomorrow will be easier, promise.

Now you’re ready to start your day because your body is awake and your brain feels ready to tackle the day.

Okay, it’s not unicorns, yet, but keep at it. Everyday will be better and you won’t have to feel guilty if you didn’t get to the gym today.

You started the day right and chances are you’ll be motivated to make good food choices today!

Why? Because you’re in charge. Relax.

Get a good night’s sleep in a dark room, no machines, and plan to repeat tomorrow.

Try it for a week and see how you feel.

There’s a lot of articles on the internet that can expand on the above morning stretches. You can enhance the routine at your own pace.

Remember that you owe your body the chance to be healthy and work for you all day long.

Eat right, sleep sound, stretch often, brush and floss. Transform your life with a beautiful smile at Greeley Orthodontics. We’re looking forward to helping you.

With grateful thanks to Dr. Odiatu who shared his significant knowledge and encouraged me to help encourage you.