If there was ever a time to really consider what you put into your body and how it can – and will – affect your health, it’s now.
Food is fuel for your body and so much more...
Vitamins are helpers in all of the different reactions that are constantly happening in the body to produce energy, make hormones, defend against foreign invaders (i.e., viruses), grow hair and nails, heal wounds, etc.
Minerals are integral parts of bone and blood cells, and also help regulate your heartbeat and transmit nerve impulses, amongst other important functions.
Phytochemicals in plant foods protect the cells in our body from damage.
Protein is required for the structure and function of all of the body’s tissues and organs.
Fat is essential in the formation of hormones, protecting vital organs, and help vitamins, minerals and proteins do their jobs.
Carbohydrates provide fuel for muscles and the brain, and the fiber from whole plant foods aids digestion and helps to regulate blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels.
The Standard American Diet (SAD), or “Western-type diet” is defined as one high in red meat, refined sugar, animal fats and processed foods, and low in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts & seeds. Studies show that the SAD is linked with numerous health concerns and disease states, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer.
The SAD can also leave us generally unhealthy and at a disadvantage in dealing with everyday stressors on the body. Consuming foods that have been chemically altered from their natural state to prolong shelf life (i.e., processed foods) introduce compounds into your body that were never meant to be there and either have no function/benefit, or worse, can be harmful to health. Not getting enough vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and fiber from plant foods leave your body lacking in essential nutrients to perform everyday functions, including fighting infection. Consuming a high-sugar diet can lead to excess energy intake, leading to things like overweight and obesity, and also diabetes, fatty liver and elevated triglycerides in the blood stream.
By comparison, the Mediterranean-type diet is high in vegetables, fruit, fish, nuts, seeds and whole grains, and low in red meat, refined sugar, processed foods and animal fats. Those who eat a Mediterranean diet also have lower incidence of heart disease and diabetes, and increased longevity.
Every bite you take is either helping or harming your body – which will you choose?
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