“We talk a lot about health, but talking alone is not enough. Knowledge becomes valuable only when we apply it in our daily lives. If we want different results, we have to change our actions,” says U. Radzevičienė.
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Food – not just calories
The dietitian points out that many people still associate nutrition only with weight control or the prevention of a few specific diseases. However, food actually affects all body systems – from energy levels to the immune system, recovery after illnesses, and overall well-being.
“Our organs and cells function according to the nutrients they receive. Food is the fuel for our body – it affects not only energy but also how we feel, how we recover from illnesses, and how our body works at every stage of life,” says U. Radzevičienė.
Food is the fuel for our body – it affects not only energy but also how we feel and how we recover from illnesses.
She emphasizes that nutrition is important not only to avoid diseases but also after becoming ill. According to the specialist, it is often thought that once diagnosed with high cholesterol, diabetes, or another chronic disease, taking medication is enough, and nutrition becomes secondary. However, no medication can replace lifestyle changes.
“Medications may be necessary, but they do not replace lifestyle. Nutrition is not a temporary phase or an additional measure – it accompanies a person throughout life and can help both to prevent diseases and to slow their progression,” says the dietitian.
Causes – on the plate
In daily practice, U. Radzevičienė notices that people rarely connect their well-being with what they eat. However, scientific research and practical experience show that even chronic pain or emotional state can be influenced by daily eating habits.
According to her, a diet rich in foods that promote inflammatory processes can contribute to various ailments, so it is important not only to relieve symptoms but also to look for their causes.
“If the diet is rich in products that support inflammatory processes, it can also contribute to pain. Therefore, it is important not only to relieve symptoms but also to find the cause. Nutrition can become an important part of the treatment team,” says the specialist.
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The dietitian also emphasizes the close connection between nutrition and emotional health. Constant stress, anxiety, or bad mood may be related not only to life circumstances but also to daily dietary choices.
Health starts with daily habits
According to her, a health-friendly diet is neither expensive nor complicated. Usually, it is enough to choose more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, quality proteins, and to consume highly processed food as rarely as possible.
“It’s not about spending hours in the kitchen or complicated recipes. It’s daily choices – more vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, seeds, quality proteins, and as little highly processed food and synthetic additives as possible,” says U. Radzevičienė.
The dietitian states that the biggest mistake is to believe in quick fixes and miracle diets. Long-term results are determined not by short-term restrictions but by habits that a person can maintain throughout life.
Food also reflects the relationship with oneself
According to the dietitian, what we put on our plate often reflects our relationship with ourselves.
“Self-esteem starts with what is on our plate. If we know that certain products are not favorable for our health but still choose them daily, it is worth asking ourselves – why? Very often, stress, fatigue, habits, or emotions lie behind these choices,” says U. Radzevičienė.
The specialist is convinced that change is possible for everyone who not only is interested in health but also dares to change daily habits.
“I don’t have a single patient who, having received knowledge and applied it in practice, has not achieved results. Change begins when we stop just being interested in health and start creating it with our daily choices,” concludes the dietitian.
You can find the episode of the show on the “Lietuva sveiksta” YouTube channel.
