________________________________________
Food Factoid: An estimated 90% of food budget dollars are spent
on processed, packaged fake food.
________________________________________
When Betty first came to me she was taking seven medications,
had severe osteoarthritis, could barely walk, was in constant
pain and had to catheterize herself daily--among other things.
She had heard that making dietary changes could be beneficial
to her health, but doubted it could work for her. Betty sought
nutrition and health coaching only because she could no longer
afford her medications.
Although skeptical at first, Betty was delighted when, in just
a few weeks she was able to go off four of her medications, was
virtually pain-free, could walk without using her walker, had
lost a few pounds, and was generally beginning to feel much
better. In addition, her cholesterol had dropped below what it
had been when she was taking cholesterol-lowering drugs.
What did Betty do to achieve such dramatic results so quickly?
It may surprise you that she didn't cut or count calories,
carbohydrates or fat, take a special pill, or start working out.
She simply began to switch from the low-quality, chemical-laden
processed food brands she had been eating for years, to higher
quality, additive-free natural food brands. She also began to
include a couple servings of fresh produce into her diet each
day.
How can this be?
This is so because the most popular brands of processed,
packaged chemical-laden foods (fake foods) so widely consumed
today, are injurious to the body. Aside from the obvious
diet-related conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or
obesity, few people realize poor nutrition in general, is the
primary cause of all chronic conditions.
FOOD MATTERS!
Like Betty, an increasing number of people are becoming aware of
this relationship between diet and dis-ease and revamping their
diets. Following is a brief overview of five Eating-for-Health
Guidelines that can help you stay, or get back on the road to
health and energy:
1 -- IF IT'S NOT FOOD, DON'T EAT IT!
The very definition of "food" is that it is nourishing to the
body. Consequently, anything that is not nourishing to the body
(i.e. fake foods containing refined sugars, hydrogenated oils,
chemical additives, etc.) is not food -- don't eat it! And if
you do, wait a long time before you do it again so your body
can recover.
2 -- ELIMINATE OR RELEGATE STIMULANTS TO RARE OCCASIONS...
Stimulants or extreme foods send your body's chemistry soaring
out of balance causing fatigue, brain fog, weight gain and more.
Stimulants include: sugars and other refined carbohydrates
(i.e. high fructose corn syrup, white refined flour, etc.),
refined salt, caffeine, and alcohol. Less stimulants equal more
health and energy.
3 -- EAT AN ABUNDANCE OF WHOLE, FRESH, NATURAL FOODS...
Most everything that comes in a box, can or packaging is a
processed food. Whole, fresh, natural foods (preferably organic)
such as produce, meats, fish, poultry, whole grains, legumes and
seeds are always your best choice. When you do consume processed
foods, natural brand foods are best as they do not contain toxic,
chemical additives.
4 -- ACCOUNT FOR FOOD SENSITIVITIES WHEN MAKING FOOD CHOICES...
The most common food allergens (i.e. wheat, dairy, soy, corn,
etc.) are notorious for causing acid reflux and other digestive
problems, constipation, sinusitus, depression, arthritis and
more. Most people today are sensitive to one or more of these
foods--and most don't know it! Follow a basic elimination diet
to learn which foods may be affecting you.
5 -- ACCOUNT FOR AILMENTS WHEN MAKING FOOD CHOICES...
As you start improving the quality of your diet you'll start
feeling better and improving the overall quality of your
health. Also, learn which foods exacerbate or help improve
any specific conditions to give your body every opportunity
to heal.
When applied consistently over time, these five guidelines
produce "amazing" results as Betty can attest. It's miraculous
what the body can do when fueled properly--energy is restored,
excess weight is shed, body systems are regenerated, disease
is reversed, and nagging symptoms disappear.
Where should you begin? Start with the basics: if it's not food,
don't eat it!
|
