Since I tend to be a "black or white" "all or nothing" type person, nutrition is at times hard. It is hard for me to find balance and really figure out what is the best diet (lifestyle) to consume. There is such a range of healthy diets...paleo, primal, vegan, raw, vegetarian, you name it...how are we supposed to know which one is best?
The thing I've come to realize is that there is not a "one size fits all" diet. Each of our bodies is so different and needs different things. While one person may thrive on a low carb, high protein diet, others may thrive on a lower protein, higher carb diet. I think it takes a lot of trial and error to eat simply how YOU feel is best. NOT how everyone else thinks is best.
There are some standards, however, that I DO think apply to most people.
a) Eat a diet of whole foods - meaning, foods in their natural state or as close to it as possible
b) Avoid chemicals, preservatives, trans fats, refined grains/sugar
c) Consume FAT - it is vital to your body. Use things like coconut oil, butter, olive oil, nuts/seeds, and avocados liberally.
d) Consume more PLANTS! Everyone can benefit from consuming more vegetables and fruit in their diet.
So whether you choose to eat no meat or a lot of meat (as long as it's humanely raised and hormone/antibiotic free, of course), lots of grains or no grains...I think we can all agree that as long as we're eating whole foods we're in it together, right?
This is obviously a very simplified view of nutrition but I really do feel that each of us is an individual and we all have different needs. Play around with your diet and don't eat any one thing just because someone else tells you to. Eat it and notice how you feel. If you feel tired and sluggish after eating gluten, maybe try not eating it! And so it goes with other foods. The best thing I can say is - PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY! Constipated? Achy joints? Relentless acne? Headaches? Your body is giving you warning signs. Listen to it, get help from a doctor trained in holistic medicine if needed, and feed your body right so it can function at it's best. This is all a journey but your body will thank you with every nourishing meal you give it.
One last thought - if we understand and accept that, say, taking a pill or eating some rat poison, will affect our body, why is it so hard for us to understand and accept that ingesting food (good or bad) would do the same? Food affects us! It is the basis, the core, of our body. It is our fuel. Let's put good fuel into our bodies.
What is one way you're going to treat your body better this week?
I've made a goal to drink a green smoothie or have freshly pressed juice every day. So far I am doing great and feeling much more energy!
About two weeks ago, I just got so disgusted by the chemicals in our food (especially ones that are ILLEGAL in other countries), that I was done with processed foods -- we didn't eat a ton anyway (at least not the kids, my husband and I weren't as great about feeding ourselves healthy), but I've gotten rid of the vast majority of it in the last couple weeks. We haven't gotten rid of all sugar (there's still some in our peanut butter -- which is HFCS free, but not sugar free) and they've had a little here and there, but for the most part we have not consumed added sugar in a couple weeks. We've gone through twice as much vegetables, and I finally decided to just bite the bullet and 'splurge' on organic meats, and even more of our fruit and veggies being organic (we already did quite a bit, 'cause Costco usually has several organic choices in produce). I decided that we invest in other things, why not take some of that money and invest it in our bodies and in our health. I've also been getting rid of more and more gluten -- not all of it (unless Ellie's doctor's appt tells us it's necessary), but I'm cooking with more alternative flours and doing even more from scratch. It's been good -- my kids are getting good at picking out their favorite fruits or vegetables or sprouted beans or nuts for snacks, and the meals are simpler, tasty and nutrient packed. It feels good to be doing better by my family -- and the 7 pounds I've lost doesn't hurt either :-)
ReplyDeleteYou call it very simplified, I call it very WISE! And I love that you added the Facebook page! Go girl!
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