A healthy diet builds healthy bodies
Few “health experts” would disagree that a healthy diet is essential to having good health and vitality. This idea makes logical sense, however, why then are so many of the people I see in my Westchester NY office, so unhealthy and suffering from so much chronic disease? Is it the poor diet choices or the lack of the right kinds of foods in their daily diets? In my opinion, it appears that both scenarios are the root cause of unhealthy diets leading to chronic illness. As part of my discussion with my patients, I developed a simple guide, the 12 Key Tips For a Healthy Diet, as a roadmap to a healthy eating plan.
It is fact that with industrialization came a shift in our food supply.
Today, much of our food supply has turned into semi-synthetic, nutrient-lacking packaged products, genetically modified (GMO) and foods loaded down with hazardous chemicals, pesticides, and preservatives. This is a far cry from a century ago when our meals were homegrown on local farms without chemicals and pesticides. Back then, people prepared meals from fresh whole foods grown in soils that contained a rich supply of vitamins and minerals.
Today people are eating more food yet they are more malnourished than ever.
This is giving rise to the growing rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, chronic digestives issues, cancer and other chronic diseases that I see in my daily practice.
As a Functional Nutritionist, my approach to food is very simple. I echo the teachings of Hippocrates which state: “let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
Food allows the building blocks that allow the body to function. In a body that is experiencing dysfunction and disease, going back to the basics and using foods to heal the body is not only important but essential. After assessing the health needs, it is beneficial to use foods and therapeutic diets that help to heal the body. I always guide my patients to recognize that certain foods can help the body to detoxify and others can be used to provide specific micronutrients to increase vitality. As opposed to consuming the SAD (Sad American Diet), which is the leading cause of obesity and other chronic illness.
Healthy Eating Habits
1. Consume a balanced diet with all the food groups: quality proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
2. Eat a rainbow diet with plentiful fruits and vegetables (these foods are king!).
3. Go organic whenever possible.
4. Choose wild caught fish vs. farm raised.
5. Eat grass-fed beef and hormone free poultry, including dairy and eggs.
6. Eat nuts and seeds, legumes, and good fats such as olive oil, ghee, and avocados.
7. Add in raw and fermented foods like salads, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha.
9. Forgo the junk foods like sugar, processed foods, and hydrogenated fats.
10.Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of filtered water and refrain from sugary drinks and soda.
11. Plan ahead and prep meals and snacks.
12. Practice portion control and use smaller plates.
It is that simple! A healthy eating plan is about living consciously and caring about your body and how you feel. These simple diet tips shouldn’t feel restrictive or complicate your life. They are merely my guide to help you build a healthy diet. It is also helpful to develop a routine so that your healthy habits become part of your lifestyle.
Healthy Eating Plan
A mindful strategy for a healthy eating plan is your best approach to good health and prevention of disease. Using functional nutrition to address the root cause of health issues has helped to reverse many chronic conditions and lower the risk of degenerative diseases in the future. An ever-growing body of research has shown that nutrition can dramatically improve our chances of living a longer, healthier more vibrant life. Your roadmap to achieving good health is to eat healthy as much as possible.
It is easy to get started on a healthy diet especially when you notice how much better you will feel when you adopt healthy food choices and eating habits one meal at a time!
I really like all the tips for a healthy diet which is needed to be taken into consideration for better health and nutrition of the body. The content is very much engaging and informative for all the readers.
Thank you for the positive feedback. I am happy that this information is helpful and inspires you to take action for better health as that is really the purpose of my articles. Best of health to you!