Making The Connection:

Good Nutrition Today, Good Health Tomorrow

We have all heard the expression, “You are what you eat.” However, despite this very simple truth, most people do not make that connection. But how could it not be? One would not put diesel gasoline in a car that required unleaded fuel, because then the car would not run properly. The food we eat is the fuel for our body. If we put in unhealthy fuel, the body cannot perform properly, which ultimately leads to disease. On the other hand, if you feed your body good fuel, it is able to ward off disease. Not only that, but you feel better, are more vibrant and have more energy.

Eating healthy is certainly not without its challenges, especially with all the food choices that are available. We are constantly being bombarded with messages that tell us to eat this, not that. Quite frankly, it is very confusing for most people. What we think may be healthy or all natural may actually be loaded with chemicals, preservatives and artificial colors and flavors that wreak havoc in our bodies. In addition, convenience foods are often touted as being cheaper than healthy foods as well as being quick and easy. Manufactured foods are intentionally engineered to be addicting. The food industry is a business, with the bottom line being profit and what sells, not concern for your health.

Since the industrialization of farming and with the advent of big food manufacturers, we have strayed very far from the way our ancestors ate. Back in those days, people never heard of or ate food that came out of a box. These days, people are actually putting toxic foods into their bodies, sometimes without even knowing: foods that contain pesticides, chemicals, artificial ingredients, preservatives, refined and added sugars, refined grains, sodium, and hydrogenated fats. All of these can lead to diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, liver disease, digestive disorders, allergies, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, birth defects, migraines, hormonal disorders, metabolic disorders, and high blood pressure. And this is just the short list! Many of these diseases are reaching, or are already at epidemic levels, and are continuing to rise despite all of the advances in modern medicine that have been made.

We seem to be overfed, yet we are malnourished, are sick, and have higher rates of chronic disease than most other countries. Although medication may be needed to help control the symptoms associated with disease, they are not fixing the root cause of the problem, and often only drive disease further into our bodies. Many people are often admitted to the hospital because of something that is ultimately linked to their nutritional status, and the alarming part about this is that they leave the hospital even more nutritionally compromised then when they were admitted. How can patients properly heal when they are served jello that contains sugar or artificial sweeteners and white bread?

Luckily, the body is very resilient and has an incredible ability to heal despite all the abuse we sometimes do to it. What can one do to achieve better nutrition? Simply start by returning to a whole foods based diet and begin by incorporating one healthy change at a time. Making lifestyle changes is a process that takes place over time and is often not without struggle and challenges, however, if embraced can ultimately be a process of self discovery and transformation. Quick fixes are not the answer, usually do not work, and if they do work, usually are not permanent. When you begin to eat more whole foods, you will find that you develop a preference for healthy foods. Best of all, you will be connected with and in tune with your nutrition. Eating a nutritious diet facilitates well being and promotes good health, reduces the risk of disease, and provides essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Hippocrates, referred to as the father of medicine, said it best, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

In addition, we need to remember that nutrition is not just for the body, but it is also for the mind and spirit. Dietary modification, physical activity, weight reduction, and stress reduction are all necessary components to good health.