Q: What do you call someone who can’t stick with a diet?

A: A desserter.

Nothing works without a source of energy. Even machines need fuel to keep going. And the better the fuel, the better we perform. Good nutrition is key to optimum health and the ability to perform mentally and physically to the best of our potential.

The word diet typically runs parallel in our minds with thoughts of food deprivation. It’s all about what we can’t have, mainly foods we regard as pleasurable. One of the definitions of diet is, “a special course of food to which one restricts oneself, either to lose weight or for medical reasons.” Restrict/Restrictive. Those aren’t words we like to hear.

Eating well does not have to mean living without tasty foods. We are approaching the season of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables coming to our farmers markets and grocery stores. These are foods that need little-to-no seasonings to form the basis of a delicious meal. Crispy green peppers, sweet juicy peaches, tomatoes that smell as wonderful as they taste, and fresh greens for salads and soups. So yummy, and so good for us!

As I wrote in Inspired Caregiving, “Good nutrition is vital in maintaining good health. Nutrients build and repair cells, increase mental and physical abilities, prevent and help cure illness, and promote happiness. Unless you have particular dietary restrictions, maintain a well-rounded diet that includes mostly vegetables and fruits and whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, fish, and olive oil. Chicken, eggs, cheese, and yogurt may also be consumed in moderation and red meat a couple of times a month.”

It’s the little things that we do for ourselves and others that make all the difference.

*If you are a caregiver of young or old, be sure to care for yourself while you care for others. Eating nutritious foods is one of the first steps in doing this. See more ways to care for yourself in Inspired Caregiving. Weekly Morale Builders.