Elizabeth Nelson Of Farm Fueled Nutrition On Nutrition for Optimal Well-Being

Feel better: Whole food just makes you feel better. Plain and Simple! Getting rid of toxins, chemicals and preservatives allows the body to detox, heal, and function with ease.

In an age where health and wellness are at the forefront of discussions, the undeniable connection between nutrition and overall well-being remains a paramount topic. With diverse diets, superfoods, and health trends gaining traction, it’s essential to differentiate between fleeting fads and scientifically-backed nutritional advice. Good nutrition isn’t just about maintaining a certain weight or physique — it’s about fostering mental clarity, energy, mood stability, and longevity.

As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Elizabeth Nelson, Founder of Farm Fueled Nutrition!

Elizabeth Nelson, Founder of Farm Fueled Nutrition, is a wife, mom, and believer in the power of whole food for wellness and longevity. She went through a line of personal loss from illness and disease and wanted to create a business dedicated to encouraging others to live healthy, long lives. She’s 52 years old and loves helping other women feel better and stronger about their bodies.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?

I was born and raised in Iowa, not far from the University of Iowa, played sports in HS and went to college at ISU. I loved visiting my grandparents’ farm, my mother was raised there, the oldest of four. She milked cows, butchered chickens, and cared for her younger siblings. I know it was hard on her but she lived that hard work lifestyle until she got sick. I still hold close to all the Iowa memories and family traditions. Even though I’ve been gone for over 30 years, the farm is still a magical place.

Now at 52, with the memories of family and friends who I’ve lost to illness and disease, I founded Farm Fueled Nutrition. I want to use my Iowa upbringing mixed with my passion for encouraging others to eat a whole food diet. It was important for me to create a business that was inspired by a farm-to-table lifestyle. I understand the importance of whole-foods for overall wellness, so developing a superfood greens product with powerful nutrient-dense food was my first thought.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“Do one hard thing everyday”.

I created it for myself when I was lost in grief from the loss of my parents and several dear friends to illness and disease. I learned to push through pain by doing one hard thing everyday. From talking to someone in the grocery store, joining a group or working out everyday, I made an effort to keep moving forward. It’s how I got here, and why I started Farm Fueled Nutrition, and why it is important for me to develop my own coaching program. Somedays are just hard but you can do it.

Is there a particular book, podcast, or film that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

Oh, boy, I have listened to a lot, but also chose to focus on my own personal journey. I get tired of listening to the same person all the time, but I do really enjoy the Masterclass App and series. So many amazing stories and testimonies. I love Martha Stewart’s journey, being that she bought her farm at 50 years old.

I also love Sara Blakely and how she built Spanx by herself without investors. Mel Robbins and her book, “The 5 Second Rule” had a huge impact on me too. I also love Elaine Welteroth and what she’s doing with birthFUND. I had a homebirth and loved my experience with my midwife.

I love hearing success stories. They inspire me to keep going to pursue my own passion. We all have different backgrounds and interests but successful entrepreneurs have that tenacity to do something bigger than themselves.

Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion. Do you promote a particular type of diet, or way of eating? Why has this worked for you and/or your clients/patients?

I was just talking to a friend about this. No, I don’t promote a certain diet plan, although I have tried a lot of them from Keto, GF, Vegan, Vegetarian, Carnivore, Fasting, etc.

Being overweight in my 20–30’s, I really dove deep into finding what worked for me and it has been my biggest success. I found the book, “Eating For My Blood type” and it helped me on my 60 lb weight loss journey. I’ve tweaked it as I’ve aged, but it taught me to listen to my body and it provided me with a game plan when I needed it the most. I stick with real whole food and continue to listen to experts in the field of nutrition.

How can individuals personalize their nutrition based on genetic predispositions or unique health concerns?

There are many ways individuals can personalize their nutrition, through testing, consulting healthcare professionals, gaining your own understanding of nutritional needs, and or designing a personalized nutrition meal plan with a nutritional therapist or nutritionist who understands your unique needs and health concerns. The biggest thing is monitoring your plan and adjusting as needed. It’s important to stay up-to-date with the research and nutrition deficiencies as we age.

What’s the role of hydration in nutrition, and how does it affect physical and cognitive functions?

Hydration is so important. The older I get the more water I drink. I live in a dry climate, in the mountains of Montana, and I can feel when my body is drying out. The biggest thing hydration does is it transports nutrients and oxygen to all the cells in the body. Dehydration also causes loss of mental function and short-term memory deficiency. Water converts food to energy, removes waste from the body, regulates temperature, protects organs, all necessary for survival.

Dehydration is not something to take lightly. I have 2 friends who both got severely dehydrated at different times, one in the Colorado mountains and one in the California mountains and both ended up in the hospital and had to spend the night because their bodies shut down. They had loss of both physical and cognitive function. And both had complications afterwards because of how it affected their kidneys and thyroid.

That’s one reason I love my Super Fueled Greens. It is so hydrating! I’ll come in from doing yard work, gardening, hiking and have a big glass, and you can literally feel the difference.

How do seasonal and locally sourced foods contribute to optimal nutrition and well-being?

Seasonal and locally sourced foods are often harvested at their peak ripeness and flavor. Fresh foods retain more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are essential for good health. They are also typically grown in richer, nutrient-dense soils and are allowed to fully mature before being harvested. This allows more time for the foods to absorb essential vitamins and minerals from the soil. Consuming nutrient-dense foods supports overall health and wellbeing.

Also, locally sourced foods are more likely to be grown using sustainable farming practices, such as organic or regenerative farming methods. These practices minimize the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and hormones that can be harmful to human health, which can reduce your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. Seasonal and locally grown foods reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation. By supporting local farmers and food producers, you contribute to the sustainability of local food systems and the preservation of agricultural land.

What are foods and ingredients you believe we should be mindful of consuming in small quantities or all together avoiding?

Dairy was the first thing I got rid of when I started my weight loss journey, some can handle it and some can’t. I’ve had many conversations about this and believe healthy food consumption is not a one man fits all rule. At 52, I know my body. I know what to eat to feel good, and I know if I cheat I will suffer for 3–5 days detoxing. I stay away from sugar, thick carbs, alcohol, dairy, and oils are so bad too.

What are foods which make your own personal power-food list?

I love protein and fruit. Eggs, berries, avocados, kombucha, turkey, elk, steak, carrots, cucumbers, beets, pineapple, mushroom coffee, organic chips are my downfall. I am dairy free, and mostly GF. In the summer I love greens and tomatoes straight from my garden.

With the rise of plant-based diets, what are the key nutrients to focus on for balanced nutrition?

Iron, Vit D3, Vit C, Omegas, and Aminos.

Vegans and vegetarians need to watch their intake of protein and fat, and add supplementation. I personally enjoy a more vegetarian diet but have added a lot more meat and fat to my diet going through menopause. It is very important to get bloodwork done to find out what nutrient deficiencies one might have; knowing what is needed can make all the difference in how one feels or thrives. I have added these key nutrients to my own daily supplemental plan and it has increased my energy and cognitive function.

How do sugar and processed foods impact mental health and mood over time?

Oh, my!

It’s like night and day!

Inflammation and blood sugar spikes are linked to depression, anxiety, mood swings, and irritability. Sugar disrupts the gut microbiome which affects the production of serotonin which also regulates mood. Sugar and processed foods are also low in essential nutrients, like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are needed to brain function and mental health. Although some are more affected by them, reducing your consumption of them just gives you better mental clarity and wellbeing.

Can you please share your “Top Five Benefits Of Healthy Eating.”

Eating healthy has made a huge impact in my own life, and created the life I have now. I have personally been affected by the benefits of eating healthy, including:

1. Controlling my weight: At 200 lbs at the age 30, I was devastated and desperate for change. Discovering a whole food diet changed my body and my mind. I have been able to control my weight for 20 years, and I continue to be fit and strong at 52. I no longer crave junk/fake food because I love the way real food makes me feel.

2. Control my mind: Anyone who has been unhealthy or overweight knows, the mind game is never ending. You tell yourself you are OK with how you look but inside you wish you could be different or have the understanding of how to change. Self-control is a constant struggle. Winning the battle of the mind takes discipline, but once you conquer it, it will change your life and your body. Choosing whole food clears your mind and detoxes your gut to relax the mind.

3. Sleep better: When I was younger I could sleep through the night, no problem. Then motherhood, and the mother’s ear, will keep you waking at even the slightest noise. Then Pre-menopause when hormone levels, life’s stresses and body changes have you up and down all night. The key is getting bloodwork done and filling in the gaps with whole food and supplements that allow the body to rest, instead of fight, giving you a better night’s sleep.

4. Feel better: Whole food just makes you feel better. Plain and Simple! Getting rid of toxins, chemicals and preservatives allows the body to detox, heal, and function with ease.

5. Longer, healthier life: Having lost family and friends to illness and disease, I am constantly reminded that my time is fleeting, but I choose to make everyday count. Eating a healthy diet is my focus. Along with daily exercise, positive attitude and goal setting, I plan to have a long life. We can only do so much but we can control what we put in our mouths.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?

I want to start a non-profit for foster kids getting out of the system. I truly believe they are the lost population who, if only given the chance, would make a positive impact in the world. I have endured so much loss, and after losing my parents and close friends, I have felt like an orphan myself for so many years.

Finding purpose through the pain and founding FFN, has completely changed my life. About 25,000 kids age out of the foster care system each year in the US and are likely to end in poverty. We don’t know the potential they have or the lives they could change if given the right opportunity.

Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!

Martha Stewart, Sara Blakely, Whitney Wolfe Herd, and Elaine Welteroth.

All 4 have built empires from their passions. I love the Masterclass series and have enjoyed listening to their stories, successes and failures.

How can our readers follow you online?

Follow Farm Fueled Nutrition on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farmfuelednutrition/ and Twitter: https://x.com/farmfuelednutrion

Also, keep an eye on the Farm Fueled Nutrition website for updates and new blog articles!

Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!