Food is an important part of life and should be an enjoyable one too! What we eat is just as important as anything else we do in life. It is necessary to find a diet that works for you.
We are all as different on the inside as we are on the outside. We all originate from different cultures, climates and countries. We all have different needs, wants, likes, dislikes, allergies, intolerances, preferences and digestive tracks. We were not all designed to eat the same food.
The word ‘diet’ certainly has its own ideologies attached to it. It’s important to realise that out of the millions of diets out there, there are no two diets that work for the same two people. This might seem even more overwhelming to most however, it really doesn’t need to be. Think of it this way: the physical body feeds on food and the food we eat informs our body how to function and our nutritional needs are based on our genetics.
Create a connection with your body and start noticing how you feel when you eat different foods. Simply stop eating when you feel satiated. By developing and nurturing this relationship, you can start to listen to what your body needs. Let this be your guide.
Food is the fuel that powers human beings to do so many wonderful things, follow their hearts desires and truly make a difference.
Genetics
Genetically, your metabolism is unique to you. The same way a certain diet might help your friend and not you, it’s the same with foods. Some people need a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet filled with fruits, vegetables and grains and some need a high-fat, high-protein diet focused on meat and seafood, and/or anything in between.
There are generally two ways to find out what foods work best for you:
- Keep a food diary and record any suspect foods that make you feel drowsy, dizzy, bloated, moody, headaches, joint aches, lethargic, jittery, foggy minded and energetic high’s and lows.
- Get tested for food sensitivities and allergens so you know what to avoid.
To keep this simple, pay less attention to your diet books and the standard food pyramid and the ask yourself this question: can I affectively digest this food? All that really matters is whether or not your unique body can actually use the food you’re eating. If you have good energy, good mental clarity, no food cravings and optimal response to exercise then your food intake is serving you. If you’re feeling anything other than that, there’s a good chance your body isn’t responding favourably to your food.
Despite all mankind’s accomplishments we owe our existence to a layer of top soil and the fact that it rains. Health starts in the soil. You cannot be healthier than the food you eat, the food you eat gets it’s nutrients from the soil, and to take care of the soil, it must be correctly managed allowing nature to do its thing. Synthetic NPK Fertilisers draw nutrition out of the soil due to high salt levels. Nitrogen (N) is great for rapid growth, although not so great for the neighbouring ecosystem. Phosphorus (P) helps root growth but damages the soil long term and Potassium (K), gives plants overall protection. This “armour” is great in theory but like all living organisms, armour works best from the inside out.
Food grown in organic fields has been shown by research to be more nutritious and longer lasting. Studies done by Rodale Institute, USA showed over a 31-year study comparing organic v. commercial farming practices. Organic fields showed up to 40% more nutritional value in crops. Up to 85% increase in the plantsimmune system and up to 80% increase in humus and microorganisms which, retain water and regulate the soil for that particular plant.
By investing in organic food, you invest in yourself. Start swapping the meat you would buy at the supermarket out with organic or free-range meat. If meat isn’t an option for you, shop organic for the food you eat the most. This is not only better for your body, it is a more sustainable for the environment.
Thirsty?
Hydration is essential to survival. Water makes up 55-75% of your body and 60-85% of your brain tissue, every cell needs water to survive.
Few people consider hydration as part of their nutritional needs. Research by Dr F. Batmanghelidj, M.D. shows in his book Your Body’s Many Cries For Water, that when the nervous system is dehydrated by as little as 1%, it can result in symptoms such as psychosis, brain fog, hunger, visual impairment and loss of balance and coordination.
When we down water too fast (or too cold), the duodenum (link between stomach and small intestine) goes into spasm and won’t let water through. When we drink water one mouthful at a time, the water mixes with our saliva that contains enzymes and our own DNA, which hydrates the parts of the body that need it most first. This is essential for anyone who has inflammation, disc pathologies and psychological stress. Dr F. Batmanghelidj says, “you are not sick, you are thirsty”.
To calculate how much water you need to replenish your body each day, try this formula… body weight in kilograms multiplied by 0.033, plus one cup for each cup of diuretic.
We are designed to eat organic seasonal foods, drink clean water and ultimately feel good. When our diet meets our bodies needs correctly, we have the potential to feel happy and healthy, this is our natural state.
