[LifeStyle] Healthy diet, formula to strengthen life as a couple

[#Steeven.™]

Life as a couple, based on trust and love, provides both physical and emotional benefits. As an example of this, the Spanish Heart Foundation says that the risks of suffering from cardiovascular diseases are reduced if there are constant acts and words of affection in the conjugal environment.

On the other hand, the Association for Psychological Sciences of the United States assures that living happily with a couple reduces the chances of dying in the next eight years compared to single people or those who live in conflict.

For Clara Lucía Valderrama, a member of the Herbalife Nutrition advisory board of dietitians, having an active and healthy life is a goal that is easier to achieve if you have a good life partner by your side.

“At the time of making the decision to make changes in lifestyle, the couple can be key to supporting and helping to achieve the proposed goals. Studies show that with the support of other people you can be more constant in your activities, ”he says.

According to the study “The Influence of Partner’s Behavior on Health Behavior Change”, adopting healthy habits, such as increasing physical activity, eating balanced or losing up to 5% overweight, is easier in the company of a partner. The document also reveals that putting aside practices such as smoking is easier if you have the support of your romantic partners.

Now, on the side of healthy eating, the benefits are not short. Starting with the quality time that is gained by carrying out activities such as designing menus together that respond to the needs and tastes of each one, making the list and the market together, preparing food so that its intake is more satisfactory and sharing in the time of consumption.

According to the specialist, this helps to correct errors in diet, excesses of less nutritious foods and to include those that provide more nutrients. Likewise, portions and schedules can be established, seeking the greatest benefit for both.

Accepting this type of healthy eating routines not only generates notable external changes, but also internally stimulates a series of hormones that generate positive effects in couples such as endorphin, which is the hormone of happiness; oxytocin, which is that of love; dopamine, which is motivation; and serotonin, which is that of tranquility.

These are the four most important hormones to find balance in the relationship. If people experience the sensations that these secretions produce, they may become more attracted to each other.

Valderrama's keys to stimulate greater segregation of this type of substances consist of, “the consumption of dark chocolate with a minimum of 70% cocoa content can help increase endorphins. The consumption of nuts, such as walnuts and almonds, is associated with the production of serotonin. And physical activity has the benefit of helping to increase dopamine and serotonin levels, giving a feeling of well-being ”, he explains.

On the other hand, you have to be careful when starting a coexistence as a couple, since according to a study by the University of Newcastle at this stage the two try to adapt to the other's way of eating and this can cause some problems, since each body is different and has its own particular needs.

Research also shows that one of the consequences of this is that women tend to gain weight, given the increase in fat and calorie intake due to the eating habits of men, otherwise theirs, who usually start to lower their size, since the diet of women has a high percentage of fruits and vegetables.

For this, experts recommend taking into account four important aspects: respect is essential to achieve a stable relationship, since you have to learn to accept the other's choices; Also, it is important to reach an agreement and to achieve this, cooking between the two can be an option, as well as ordering food in a restaurant where there is a menu for the taste of both; Commitment is another important key, since if one has restrictions or an eating style such as vegetarianism, the other person should not feel excluded with the menu that is prepared; and communication is an important aspect when making the market, so as not to leave the preferences of the other aside.

In general, a balanced diet, with an adequate supply of proteins, vitamins and minerals, helps to stimulate the secretion of these substances. Taking into account that we are in the Month of Love and Friendship, the nutritionist Clara Valderrama suggests this menu option to couples so that they can begin to have a more active and healthy lifestyle.

For starters, an avocado mousse with mini whole grain toast. For the main course, grilled salmon with sautéed vegetables drizzled with sesame seeds and a Creole potato puree. The dessert, to raise the level of endorphins, can be a semi-bitter chocolate fondue, strawberries, banana and gooseberry. All this can be accompanied with a good glass of red wine.