Good food vs Medicine: your choice

I’ve always known that what we eat matters. Recently I came across a phrase: "When food is wrong, medicine is of no use. When food is right, medicine is of no need."

It made sense on a logical level, but I never really thought too much about it in my own life. After all, who has the time? Especially when you're living away from home, trying to juggle work, social life, and everything else, the idea of prioritizing healthy food can feel like it’s too much. But lately, I’ve started to realize that neglecting this aspect of my life is catching up with me.

For the longest time, I brushed off the idea of focusing on my diet. I’d tell myself that I didn’t have the time or energy to cook balanced meals, or that I would eat better once I got past a certain busy phase in life. The truth is, I never quite got around to it. I always had something else going on. And while I wasn't exactly living on junk food, I wasn't eating the kind of meals that would support my health either. I reached for convenience: takeout, quick snacks, and processed foods. It wasn’t until recently that I started to feel the weight of that decision—literally and figuratively.

Realizing the Impact of Neglecting My Diet

When you’re young, you feel invincible, don’t you? You feel like you can eat whatever, sleep whenever, and still bounce back the next day. But over time, you start to notice the small signs. I started to feel more sluggish throughout the day, mentally foggy, and even emotionally drained. My energy would dip halfway through the afternoon, and I’d reach for more caffeine or sugar, only to crash again later.

I’d wonder why I felt this way but never really connected it back to my food choices. Maybe because I didn’t want to admit that it was something so simple, yet something I had such control over. I started to experience small health issues here and there—nothing major, but enough to make me pause and wonder if my body was telling me something. I realized that if I had taken better care of my diet earlier, I might not be feeling this way now.

It dawned on me that food is more than just something we consume to satisfy hunger. It’s fuel for our entire body. And yet, I’d been treating it as an afterthought. I wasn’t giving my body what it needed to perform at its best, and I could feel the effects of that neglect in my daily life. That’s when I realized the truth behind the phrase: when food is right, medicine really is of no need. If I had been eating well all along, maybe I wouldn’t feel like I needed to “fix” things now.

The Struggles of Living Away from Family

The truth is, living away from family makes maintaining a healthy diet even harder. When you're home, meals just appear. They're balanced, cooked with love, and usually, someone has thought about nutrition. But when you’re on your own, it’s a different story. You have to think about everything—what to eat, how to prepare it, when to shop—and that can feel like too much to handle, especially on top of all the other responsibilities.

I found myself slipping into patterns I regret: ordering food more often than I’d like to admit, eating random snacks instead of proper meals, and skipping vegetables entirely because they felt like too much work. I always told myself I’d do better next week, but somehow, next week never really came. Now, I regret not starting sooner. I could have taken better care of myself; I could have made healthier choices.

What I’ve Learned and What I’m Going to Do

Now that I’ve had this realization, I’m not going to ignore it anymore. I know it won’t be easy to change overnight, but I’m ready to commit to taking better care of myself. I want to feel good in my own skin, to have steady energy throughout the day, and to know that I’m doing my best to prevent future health problems, not just reacting to them.

Here’s what I’m planning to do, and if you’re in the same boat, maybe these steps can help you too:

1. Start with Breakfast- I’ve decided that my mornings need to start off right. For too long, I’ve either skipped breakfast or grabbed something quick and unhealthy. But I know that a solid, nutritious breakfast can make all the difference. I’ll start with something simple like oatmeal or eggs with veggies. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just something that fuels me for the day ahead.

2. Stock Up on Healthy Snacks- I’m a snacker, and I’ve accepted that. But instead of reaching for chips or cookies, I’m going to keep healthier options like nuts, makhanas, fruits, and yogurt on hand. It’s an easy switch, and I know it’ll keep me from those energy crashes later in the day.

3. Batch Cook to Save Time- I’ve realized that one of the reasons I eat poorly is that eating hostel food daily feels boring. But I can’t use that as an excuse anymore. I’m going to start cooking myself and that too in batches. If I make a big pot of something healthy on Sunday, I can eat it for a few days without having to think about it. It’s simple and effective.

4. Incorporate Vegetables into Every Meal- This one is tough for me because veggies are usually the last thing I think about. But I’m going to make a conscious effort to add them to every meal. Whether it’s a side salad or just some roasted veggies with dinner, I know they’re essential for my health, and I’m not going to ignore that anymore.

5. Stay Hydrated- This one seems so simple, yet I’ve neglected it for too long. I’m going to make sure I’m drinking enough water throughout the day. It’s such a small thing, but I know it will make a big difference in how I feel.

I absolutely regret not starting sooner, but I can’t change the past. What I can do is take control now. The mentioned steps are simple, but they’re what I need to get back on track, and I’m determined to stick to them this time.

I know it’s not going to be easy, but I’m committed to this. My health is too important to keep putting off, and I don’t want to wait until I need medicine to fix what food could have prevented all along. If you’ve been feeling the same way, maybe it’s time we both made some changes.

I am going to return here every week to update on my commitment. If you happen to see me here, support me <3