Saturday, May 4, 2024
As the temperatures rise and the days start getting longer, it’s evident that spring is on the horizon — and what better way to celebrate the warmer weather than with a lifestyle check?
March is National Nutrition Month®— an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics where everyone is invited to learn more about making informed food choices, developing healthful eating and increasing physical activity habits.
According to eatright.org, National Nutrition Month® started in 1973 as National Nutrition Week, and it became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing interest in nutrition.
While there are many ways to eat healthier this month, staying hydrated is undoubtedly one of the most important.
“What people don't realize is that 70-plus percent of people go to the emergency room thinking they're having a heart attack when they're dehydrated,” Kevin Kiechler, president/CEO of eH8 Sports Inc. and Fuel Up Hydration, told the Hood County News. “Dehydration is a serious, serious problem. Dehydration brings about inflammation and inflammation brings about all kinds of degenerative diseases, like cancers, lupus and arthritis.”
While drinking the recommended amount of water every day can be tough, electrolyte additives offer the same, if not better, benefits than drinking six or more glasses of water a day, according to NationalToday.com.
Kiechler said surprisingly, the top hydration drink is milk. He added that his product, Wake, is a flavored hydration drink designed to promote jitter-free motivation.
"We have three products and all three of our products have a proprietary blend throughout," he said. “Wake has 100 milligrams of good caffeine. We have two grams of sugar and six grams of carbs, and you’re gonna feel this feeling of well-being and no jitters or crash. What we've done is we've taken this formula that goes straight to cellular level.”
Kiechler explained that everyone’s body is made up of thousands of cells and 65% water. He said if you don’t have good cellular health, “you have nothing.”
"Your cellular structure is really what makes up your whole body," he said. “Cellular hydration is the key to great health. You've got to hydrate your system and you need to get it down to the cellular level because your cellular structure is the foundation of your body, your health, your mind, everything.”
While Kiechler’s Fuel Up product, Wake, focuses on motivation, the hydration drink Play supports cognitive function and concentration, while Rest promotes restful sleep and rejuvenation.
Although staying hydrated is one of the most important ways to stay healthy, NationalToday.com also lists four other ways, like: choosing food over supplements, shopping the outside aisles in a supermarket, opting for vibrant colors like green or red vegetables, and packing your lunch.
"Cooking your own food is important. You want to stay away from sugars,” Kiechler said. “Fast food is processed food, and you want to stay away from processed foods. Everything has to be in moderation.”
Additionally, as food prices have skyrocketed, Kiechler said making your food at home is also more cost-efficient.
“If you think about it from a monetary standpoint, you can eat at home with fresh food, fix it yourself, and save a lot of money and eat healthy — and that's what makes a difference,” he said. “I mean, my wife makes a chicken salad, which is so healthy. At any given moment, within 30 minutes, she can whip out one of the healthiest meals you will ever eat, and it's changed my life. I've lost 31 pounds in the last six months. It's amazing what people can do when they take the time (to eat healthy).”
He also added that eating the right foods is not just dieting — it’s a lifestyle change.
"People need to change their lifestyle. They need to change their eating habits, drinking habits, and their intake habits — and if they really pay attention and watch what's going in their mouth, they can change their lives,” Kiechler said.
While nutrition is important, it doesn’t stop at what we eat. Exercise is just as important. In fact, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages making exercise an integral part of our lives.
"Something as simple as a two-to-three-mile walk does wonders for people,” Kiechler said. “Exercise is always good for you. A lot of people see all these diet fads and think ‘Oh, you don't need to exercise.’ Well, that's true. If you eat healthy and you do the right things, you don't necessarily need to, but from a cardiovascular standpoint, and our overall health and wellness standpoint, exercise is a good thing.”
Kiechler added there are three important steps people need to keep in mind to stay on top of their health: take preventative measures, take care of your body’s cellular structure, and hydrate your system.
“If you take the time just to educate yourself on what's good or bad, and what you can do to expedite that process, you'll be much better off,” he said.
FuelUp can be purchased at fuelup.gg/hcn — a special link Kiechler created for Hood County News readers.
“Feel the difference,” he said. “Money back guaranteed.”
For more information on his products, Kiechler can be reached by email at Kevin@fuelup.gg.
While National Nutrition Month® is important, it’s also an excuse to reset, it gives individuals an opportunity to look and feel better, and it fosters a community, according to NationalToday.com.
This March, bite into a healthy lifestyle for National Nutrition Month®.
The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
