4 ways to avoid health mistakes

(think bloating, constipation and a whole gamut of other digestive and/or immune complaints).

But then you went to the supermarket and found all kinds of gluten free packaged goods and you now have a pantry full of gluten free chips, biscuits, muesli bars and other snacks. Just because it’s gluten free doesn’t mean it offers much in the way of nutrition. We still need to keep our processed and packaged food intake to a minimum.

Not eating enough vegetables

This is hardly uncommon knowledge but if you truly knew what a disservice you were doing to your body by not consuming enough plants you would likely eat many, many more.

Every aspect of our health relies on nutrients and simply focusing on this one simple thing can give us oodles of energy. If you struggle to keep your daily intake up, try adding a green smoothie with an additional scoop of powdered vegetables to your regime.

Not listening to your body’s messages

Too many people put up with symptoms that could so easily be eradicated because they think they are ‘‘normal’’. I like to say that things such as PMS, constipation, bloating, reflux and headaches are common but not normal.

If you think about the symptoms you experience that impact you on a regular basis as your body trying to communicate with you that something needs to change – such as how you eat, drink, move, think, breathe, believe or perceive – you begin to look at them in an entirely different light. Pay attention to your body’s communication – it has the power to change how you experience health and vitality on a daily basis.

Dr Libby is a nutritional biochemist, best-selling author and speaker. The advice contained in this column is not intended to be a substitute for direct, personalised advice from a health professional. Join Dr Libby for her upcoming ‘Sort Your Sleep’ New Zealand tour, for more information or to buy tickets visit drlibby.com