Mexico City, April 11, 2025.— With the goal of promoting healthy eating habits among students and dispelling common myths about nutrition, the Universidad Panamericana hosted the conference The Power of Food, presented by Alejandra Sánchez Alejo, a sports nutrition specialist and founder of Casa Ben, a space dedicated to holistic well-being.
The event, aimed at the university community, highlighted the importance of understanding nutrition as a fundamental pillar of energy, physical and mental performance, and emotional stability.
Nutrition with a Purpose: Beyond Diets
Alejandra Sánchez began her talk by debunking the notion that nutrition is simply about dieting to lose weight. She emphasized that food directly impacts vital organs such as the brain, heart, and gut, influencing aspects like concentration, mood, and resilience to stress. “It’s not about how your body looks, but how you feel and how you perform,”, she said.
The specialist explained the connection between the gut and the brain via the vagus nerve, noting that 90% of serotonin (the “feel-good” hormone) is produced in the gut. “What we eat determines whether we’re irritable, angry, or happy,”, she noted, linking excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods to glucose spikes that affect emotional stability.
Macronutrients: the body's fuel
Sánchez Alejo compared the macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) to a gas station: “They are the energy we need for our organs to function”. In addition, he debunked myths such as the idea that carbohydrates are bad or that fats should be eliminated, and emphasized the importance of balancing them:
- Carbohydrates (60% of total intake): main source of energy.
- Proteins: cell repair and muscle maintenance.
- Fats: key to the endocrine system and concentration.
He also highlighted the role of vegetables as a source of fiber and micronutrients, and warned against fad diets such as keto, noting that “if you can’t stick to a habit for 10 years, it’s not sustainable”.
Practical Tips for Everyday Life
The conference included interactive exercises in which participants created balanced menus. To this end, Ms. Sánchez Alejo recommended:
- Combine the four basic food groups (proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and vegetables) in every main meal.
- Avoid skipping breakfast: suggested quick options such as yogurt with fruit and seeds.
- Hydration: “A dehydrated brain is like a dry sponge,”, he noted.
- The 80-20 Rule: 80% natural foods and 20% occasional treats (such as sweets), always in moderation.
The event concluded with a call for a healthy relationship with food and the body: “Eating isn’t about body size, but about mental, emotional, and physical health. All bodies are beautiful; we need smart bodies”.
Commitment to holistic university health
At Universidad Panamericana, we actively promote healthy and mindful eating as part of our holistic education. Through lectures, health programs, and nutritional resources, we support the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of our community.
Learn more about the Universidad Panamericana Wellness Ecosystem Universidad Panamericana : https://www.reforma.com/refuerzan-ecosistema-de-bienestar-y-salud/gr/ar2972689?md5=09934c306d943b07eaa061f301d390ac&ta=0dfdbac11765226904c16cb9ad1b2efe
