Expert Author Paul A Scicluna
On a trip to sun-drenched Hua Hin in Thailand, it really opened my|healthcare professional|personal|my own, personal|search terms|my own , personal|medical professional|published|health care provider|my business|all of my|of my|excellent|my own personal|keyword phrases|a|offered|economical|day-to-day|web page} eyes to the lack of healthy people. For those of you not familiar with Hua Hin, it is a relaxing beach side town 144km south west of Bangkok. On average, it provides residents and visitors with a glorious 260 days of sun per year. Plus, you can live like Kings and Queens because the food and accommodation is relatively cheap.
However , what astounded me was that 90% of the people (excluding the locals) were out of shape or overweight - a heart attack or Type 2 diabetes in the makings. Whether you're on a holiday or business trip you can and should take care of your health. Especially if you have children as they learn from the parents.
My|Healthcare professional|Personal|My own, personal|Search terms|My own , personal|Medical professional|Published|Health care provider|My business|All of my|Of my|Excellent|My own personal|Keyword phrases|A|Offered|Economical|Day-to-day|Web page} trip was a mixture of business and leisure. Having turned 40 I allowed myself to indulge a little for this extra special occasion! As long as most of the time your diet is great, your body will be able to cope with a bit of indulgence. Yet, what I saw everyday were most people filling their plates with fatty, processed and non-nutritious foods, washed down with soft drinks or sodas.
My|Healthcare professional|Personal|My own, personal|Search terms|My own , personal|Medical professional|Published|Health care provider|My business|All of my|Of my|Excellent|My own personal|Keyword phrases|A|Offered|Economical|Day-to-day|Web page} breakfast usually started with some fresh fruit and salad. Sometimes I had a freshly made omelette, other times it was sauteed vegetables. The rainbow of colours meant that there were plenty of nutrients.
I asked a tourist who was visiting from Europe if I could take a photo of his meal. He looked at me strangely but obliged. The plate was full of bread loaded with margarine and also a croissant with jam. It just looked bland, boring, lifeless and not nutritious at all. It was just a plate of processed carbs, fat and sugar, not to mention all the additives and preservatives hidden within. This plate of food is devoid of quality nutrients.
He asked what the photo was for? I attempted to explain what I do as well as the difference between our meals, and to eat more of the foods I had on my plate. There were language barriers but I think I convinced him; the thumbs up sign for positive affirmation seemed to work. And, especially after someone had explained to him that I just turned 40 and it was translated back to me that he thought I looked 28! Over the course of the trip I did see him getting some fresh fruit which was a great. Bit by bit I say - gradually bring change into your daily habits for a lifelong, healthy positive change.
