Archive for the ‘Healthy Eating’ Category
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Food is information and NOT just for pleasure!
Reconnecting with our food source:
Food is information and NOT just for pleasure
We have lost touch with our food source! We as a society have been “sold” on nutritionally empty foods because they “taste good”. The fact is that these foods dictate to and change our bodies in such a way that addictions are established and cravings occur.
We have been taught to focus on the gratification aspect of food and NOT the importance of food as information to the body. Did you know that our ancestors were drawn to foods for their nutritional value and healing properties?
Foods were chosen and combined with a specific purpose in mind. For example: Sushi is served with pickled ginger and wasabi because ginger and wasabi are digestive aids and natural anti-parasite agents. Most of us don’t realize that there is a specific purpose to that chosen food combination, we will often eat sushi without combining these “condiments” because we prefer the taste of the fish when dipped “naked” in the sauce that is provided.
We used to understand our food and have a healthy respect for the way in which our bodies utilize food to meet nutritional need and to protect us from our environment. We have LOST TOUCH with our food source and now focus on quantity and taste without regard to quality and purpose.
We have all heard the phrase “you are what you eat” But did you know that you are also what you are eating EATS! The information that your food provides your body dictates your state of health, productivity and general sense of wellbeing. The food you put in your mouth is responsible for turning on or off genes that cause or prevent cancer… your food is the building blocks necessary for your body to product brain chemistry, and energy necessary for every function. Whole fresh food is purposeful and essential to optimal health, wellness and a pleasurable productive life.
Choose a natural diet…. But what is a Natural Diet? One that is loaded with whole fresh foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean protein, nut, seeds, legumes, and healthy oils and fats.
Follow these guidelines to get started.
- Wash fruits and vegetables well!
- Are you eating real, unadulterated foods, or are you eating chemical concoctions, pressed and mashed and artificially flavored to give the appearance of being food? It may even say “healthy” on the package.
- Are you eating foods that are loaded with antibiotics and hormones? Choose free range and wild caught animals.
- Are you eating foods that contain ingredients that are genetically modified?
- Even though we live lives that are far different from those of our ancestors, you can still benefit from their traditional diets by using them as dependable roadmaps to good health.
- Eat at least 1/3 of diet raw (fruits, veggies, nuts, oils)
- Avoid processed foods and all artificial flavorings, colorings, and artificial sweeteners. Instead, seek out locally grown and raised foods that are in-season
- Enjoy fermented foods like kefir and cultured veggies
- Make sure you eat enough healthy fats, including those from animal sources like omega 3, and reduce your intake of omega-6 from vegetable oils
- Drink plenty of pure, clean water
- Limit exposure to toxins– eat whole fresh foods – no boxes, bags or cans
- Eat organic as often as possible
- Below is a list of great foods!
Following these guidelines is a powerful way to avoid premature aging and disease of all kinds.
Dr. Beth-ism: Eat whole, fresh foods…. NO BOXES, BAGS OR CANS Allowed. Food is information to your body. Get as close to what nature intended as possible.
Great Foods:
Vegetables
- Asparagus
- Avocado
- Beets
- Bell Peppers
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Collard Greens
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Fennel
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Green Beans
- Green Peas
- Kale
- Leeks
- Mustard Greens
- Olives
- Onion
- Romaine Lettuce
- Sea Vegetables
- Spinach
- Squash, summer
- Squash, winter
- Sweet Potatoes
- Swiss Chard
- Tomatoes
- Turnip Greens
- YAms
Fruits
- Apples
- Apricots
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cranberries
- Figs
- Grapefruit
- Grapes
- Kiwifruit
- Lemon/Limes
- Oranges
- Papaya
- Pears
- Pineapple
- Plums
- Prunes
- Raisons
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
Beans & Legumes
- Black Beans
- Dried Peas
- Garbanzo Beans (Chick Peas)
- Kidney Beans
- Lentils
- Lima Beans
- Miso
- Navy Beans
- Pinto Beans
- Soybeans
- Tempeh
Nuts, Seeds and oils
- Almonds, raw
- Cashews, raw
- Flaxseeds, raw
- Olive Oil, extra virgin
- Pumpkin seeds, raw
- Walnuts, raw
- Coconut oil, extra virgin
- Cold press nut oils
- Tahini
- Almond butter, unsweetened
Cooking oil
- Coconut oil, extra virgin
- Extra virgin olive oil
Spices & Herbs
- Basil
- Black Pepper
- Cayenne Peppers
- Chili Peppers, dried
- Cilantro / Coriander Seeds
- Cinnamon, ground
- Cloves
- Cumin Seeds
- Dill
- Ginger
- Mustard Seeds
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Thyme
- Tumeric
Natural Sweeteners
- Blackstrap Molasses
- Cane Juice
- Local Honey – not for children
- Pure Maple Syrup
Poultry, Lean Meats and fish
- Beef, lean and organic (100% grass fed)
- Chicken, organic – no antibiotics or hormones
- Turkey, organic – no antibiotics or hormones
- Venison
- Elk
- Wild Caught Salmon
Other
- Green Tea
- Water
- Braggs Amino Acids
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Milks and cheeses
- Goat milk
- Goat milk cheeses
- Almond Milk, unsweetened
- Rice Milk, unsweetened
- Coconut milk, unsweetened
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Multitasking while eating can make you fat!
Multi Tasking While Eating can lead to weight gain!
Texting, talking on the phone, checking emails, tweeting, watching TV, and many other “multitasking” past times are causing health problems. It has been well studied that people who participate in these activities have an increase in health risk. Not only do sedentary activities take time away from more active alternatives, but researchers are finding that many “multitaskers” eat while doing these tasks. They eat mindlessly and therefore tend to eat almost 100% more food than if they had been sitting peacefully with their meal… chewing mindfully and slowly. Snacking while distracted was increased to unto 100% more as well. They eat without the brain registering satisfaction and therefore with a very delayed response to satiety or the feeling of being “full”.
It really doesn’t matter the activity, but it is rather the distraction that takes away from the full experience and therefore leads to overeating without complete satisfaction. In fact, eating was such a mindless event, that many people can’t even remember what they ate.
Advice:
- Do NOTHING during mealtime except eat! Savor every bite and be grateful.
- Take several deep breathes during meal time. Use this time to nourish your body and your mind by just sitting with your meal. You will feel more satisfied and more full.
- Noticing the colors and the texture of your food will actually send healing signals to your brain and aide in improving physical and emotional health.
- Invite your family to quiet mealtimes. Children need time to pause and to learn an appreciation for food
