In an ideal world, a balanced diet provides every micronutrient– the essential vitamins and minerals- your body needs to thrive. But the real question is whether your daily plates are hitting the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). This is the average intake of nutrients recommended for healthy individuals. For most people, the honest answer is- I have no idea.
I decided to stop guessing and do a nutritional audit on myself. By using a digital food journaling app with a detailed nutritional breakdown, the data spoke for itself. Despite my best efforts to eat healthy, I was consistently below RDA amounts in three key areas: Vitamin A, Calcium and Iron.
Armed with this data, I was able to make targeted changes to my meals and supplementation with confidence. For a woman in midlife like me, micronutrient gaps can affect bone density, heart health, and hormonal balance.
Are you curious to know if your healthy plate is providing you with the average intake of vitamins and minerals? Spend one week logging your meals in a tracking app. There are several out there and I was able to perform my audit on the MyFitnessPal app. Review your micronutrient consumption at the end of the week. You might find that you’re doing great, or you might discover which nutrients are low in your body. Data-driven wellness is the ultimate form of self-care.
Bebe Wilkinson is a Certified Lifestyle Medicine Coach, a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and a Wellness Retreat Specialist dedicated to women 40+. Through her signature coaching programs and her wellness retreats in Charlotte, NC, and the Bahamas, she helps clients harness the six pillars of lifestyle medicine to build resilient bodies, clear their minds and practice self-love.
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