The first step is food. We've got to be eating real food; food that comes from our Earth, that's grown in our ground. In America we're so far removed from the source of our food. Chicken, beef, fish, vegetables, fruit, nuts, herbs, legumes and grains. This is what we should be eating. It's as simple as that! The best way to feel your maximum self, starts with what you put into your body.
Real food is what our body is made to digest. One ingredient foods. Blueberries grown on bushes, apples from trees, and carrots in the dirt are some common examples. One great tactic to ensure you're eating fruit is by keeping a big platter of fruits visible on the kitchen counter (plus it looks pretty). You ultimately eat whatever you bring into your home, so make sure it's real nourishing food!
According to Food Research and Action Center about 80% of Americans are either overweight, obese or severely obese. Why? What are we eating?
Obesity in the U.S.
Americans are eating ultra-processed food; and lots of it. Pre-packaged things like chips, donuts, cookies, cereal and the list goes on. This is all crap "food". I actually hate to even call this food. These "foods" are altered from their original state with harmful additives including sugar, artificial color, preservatives and more. It's marketed to us and our children in such a way that we think it's okay to eat this.
As humans, we aren't made to digest this processed food. It's no wonder Americans have IBS and all kinds of GI and health issues. Let's get back to the basics and just eat real foods.
This can certainly sound like a daunting task but start easing into it one meal at a time. Take it meal by meal and snack by snack.
A choice is made at every meal and snack. A good rule of thumb is the majority (90%) of your meals and snacks throughout the day should be real whole foods. This leaves you a 10% chance to indulge a little and not feel like you're depriving yourself. There was a slogan in my high school and it went, "The choices you make today shape your world tomorrow" and this is so beautifully true. You've got to make better choices today so you can have a healthier and better tomorrow.
Give yourself grace. Of course there are going to be exceptions, we live in America and the mere convenience of some "foods" may slip into your diet. For example: ice cream. The goal is not to deprive your body and deny your wants but try to lessen the portion and frequency. So, a tactic I like is, to tell myself I'm not going to buy the ice cream this week at the grocery store, but I will buy it next time. This is the mindset we've got to encompass.
Let's wake up. Let's learn to eat healthy again. We've only got one life, let's live it the most maximally we can! It starts with real food.
Follow along my health journey and read my next article about what we should be drinking throughout the day!
(This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. I am not a Doctor. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.)