Whether Hippocrates, considered the father of medicine, said the following quote is up for debate. What is not in question is the message it encompasses, “Let thy food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food.” Food has the power to make us sick, like too much sugar and processed foods leading to diabetes, or keep us well by providing the nutrients and phytochemicals we need to reduce the risk of diseases like cancer and heart disease. Food's rich in vitamins C and D, together with important minerals such as magnesium and zinc help keep our immune system strong. Foods like coconut oil, turmeric, and garlic, with their antiviral properties, also should not be overlooked as important components to help maintain our health.
In addition to providing many protective factors, food supplies the energy we need for our daily activities. When we think of food as fuel it helps us to keep our intake in perspective. As someone who loves to eat good food, don’t misunderstand me. While we should eat to live, not live to eat, enjoying the foods we eat is an important aspect of mealtime. God, as part of his intelligent design, created food to taste good. It is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Gathering with friends and family to share some of the many delicious foods and beverages makes the time together that much more pleasurable.
A common misconception, however, is that to eat healthfully you are destined to a life of bane, boring meals. Thankfully, food in its natural state tastes good. Yes, adding herbs, spices, and oils can enhance its inherent flavor, it is not always necessary. In our fast food, junk food society many people’s taste buds have become desensitized. As you gradually improve your eating habits, eating more food closer to its natural state you will begin to taste food’s intrinsic flavor.
Years ago, I discovered how cleaning up my diet would change the way I experienced food. Growing up on a see-food diet, as in see food and eat it, I was not too particular about what I chose to eat and drink. The main reason I exercised was conditioning for a variety of sports, in particular football. When I stopped playing football my motivation to continue training was gone. Starting to gain weight and become deconditioned I needed a new goal. A co-worker of mine was a bodybuilder and he invited me to his gym for a workout. There was a contest coming up in four months and I decided to enter, providing a new challenge. I embarked on a very rigorous workout and nutritional regimen intending to become lean and well proportioned. The results were astounding. Over the four months, I went from an overfat, out-of-shape 196 pounds to a lean, strong 175. One of the biggest factors leading to this transformation was eating to fuel my body, driven by hungry for "real" food, versus eating to satisfy my appetite for certain foods. This is an important concept; one I will devote to an upcoming post.
As you begin to eat more food closer to its natural state, rather than highly processed foods, I promise you will notice a difference in how you look and feel. Don't seek perfection, rather progress as you gradually make some changes. Start with breakfast, for example, choosing from items like fresh fruits with nuts & seeds, a veggie scramble, or toast with butter or nut butter. For more suggestions on how to improve your nutritional plan, together with coaching on mental and physical conditioning, check out my book, SMART FITTness.