Sumter YMCA's Missy Corrigan: Clean up your diet

The Standard American Diet of consuming too many processed foods containing excess sugar, sodium and unhealthy fats contributes to poor health, illness and disease. Foods are so much more than stomach fillers, calories and macros. They are designed to deliver the body with nutrients which provide important health benefits. When the body does not receive the nutrients it needs, the body does not function as it should.

Nutrients act on a molecular level. When food is consumed, the nutrients from the food allow the cells to carry out their normal functions. A lack of certain nutrients, especially over time, can interrupt cell activity and slow or even stop the metabolic processes. Foods are there to support the functions of the body. Without essential nutrients, health declines.

Our genes cannot create disease themselves. Research shows it is the environment we live in that influences our genes. This includes the foods we consume. Many of the systems in the human body are interconnected, relying on the function of the other systems, so they never work independently. For example, 80% of the immune system is contained in the gastrointestinal system. If an individual has a weak immune system, it may be related to a malfunctioning digestive system.

The SAD today lacks the necessary balance of nutrients. The convenience of fast food and processed foods that are stripped of nutrients fill the stomach and satisfy cravings and hunger but lack quality nutrients that the body craves. Cleaning up your diet does not mean you have to give up certain foods as a traditional "going on a diet" does. Instead of focusing on what you have to exclude from your diet, make a list of the foods you need to include in your daily diet.

Create a plan that includes everything you need to eat in a day to support a healthy body: lean proteins, more fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains and high-fiber foods. Be sure to consume these foods before eating the "other" foods. Nothing is off limits, but the idea is to make sure you get all the nutrients in before filling up on foods that don't provide sufficient nutrients.

There is no doubt that food impacts health and function. Food can help prevent the onset of disease and help manage disease. Excessive intake of unhealthy foods promotes inflammation in the body, leading to unwanted health issues. While we cannot change our genes, we can definitely support them and promote better health with nutrient-dense foods. In addition to supporting the body, there may be additional benefits that follow, like more energy, better sleep and weight loss.

Missy Corrigan is executive of community health for Sumter Family YMCA. She can be reached at mcorrigan@ymcasumter.org or (803) 773-1404.