Healthy Eating - keep it simple

I sort of stumbled into this whole healthy eating/proper nutrition has amazing restorative powers thing. Well actually I was “pushed” by my doctor who wanted to prescribe Lipitor for my high cholesterol, and I said, “no way.”  You can read about what happened to me on my journey via the blog on the Engine 2 Diet website. As you’ll see from the article, it is not so much about what’s going on with your body on the outside as it is the amazing changes proper nutrition can bring about on the inside. 

There are many schools of thought on exactly what constitutes the ideal diet for each individual and exactly what is the correct cholesterol level for optimal health.  The great news is that each body of research, that is based on studies of different non-westernized cultures in their natural habitat, points to similar findings. Eating what is around you naturally, in its natural form, has the most benefit.  Of course, that is pretty hard to do today as our surroundings have pretty much eliminated our true natural environment.  So…borrowing in part from Whole Foods Market (surprise, surprise from those who know me), just a couple simple principles can guide you along your way. Stay healthy. Good luck.

HEALTHY EATING PRINCIPLES

Whole foods

• Choose foods that are whole, fresh, natural, organic, local, seasonal and unprocessed
• Eliminate the consumption of refined, highly processed foods and foods void of nutrients, such as artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, sweeteners and hydrogenated fats

Plant-strong™

• No matter what type of diet you follow — including those that incorporate dairy, meat and/or seafood — eat more plants, like raw and cooked vegetables, fruits, legumes and beans, nuts, seeds and whole grains
• Eat a colorful variety of plants to ensure you’re getting the best nutrients for your body, which leads to feeling satiated

Healthy fats

• Get your healthy fats from plant sources, such as nuts and avocados
• Minimize extracted oils and processed fats
• If eating a diet that includes animal products, choose leaner meats and seafood as well as low-fat dairy products

Nutrient dense

• Choose foods that are rich in nutrients when compared to their total caloric content; also known as foods with a high nutrient density
• Build your menus around plant-based foods to ensure highly nutrient-dense meals
• Choose foods with a wide spectrum of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants