Foodamentals
As we prepared to start the Transformation Matters publication, i sent a quick survey in hopes of finding out what “issues” needed to be discussed. Not surprisingly Nutrition/Food was the #1 response.
How to eat (or how not to eat) is extremely confusing. Hundreds of thousands of books, blog posts and websites are dedicated to helping us do things the right way. Unforunately, more information isn’t necessarily better, especially when it comes to food.
The nutrition industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. (Let that sink in for a second). This fact alone tells us that although there are many good resources available on the market. There are equally those who are interested in just cashing in on the market. Keep that in mind if you are “diet hopper.”
Hopefully over the next few weeks and months of Transformation Matters, I’ll be able to cut through the clutter and give a clearer picture of proper nutrition.
Regardless of all the information available, there are some basic fundamentals (or foodamentals) that we need to follow. We’ll start with some of the basics this week. Check out the list below and let me know which one hits home for you.
1. Proper nutrition is not one size fits all — Every so often a new diet hits the market and promises the solve all of our eating issues. We instantly think, “Maybe this is the one?!?!.” Unfortunately, there is no single answer for everyone. But there is an individual answer for everyone.
We are very unique individuals with different tastes and preferences, not to mention metabolisms and hormonal make-ups. No one diet can work for everyone.
The goal is to find a healthy sustainable way of eating that you see results and can maintain for a long period of time. Sure, 30 and 60 day diets are appealing and can get you short term results, but research has proven those results are short lived. Find what works for you and stick with it. That’s the key healthy eating.
2. A calorie is not just a calorie — There is a misconception discussed in the nutrition industry that is a myth that may be preventing you from getting the results you desire. The theory is that a calorie is just a calorie regardless of the food type. For example a 100 calorie apple and a 100 calorie brownie are basically the same. Nothing can be further from the truth.
The body responds and processes a brownie completely differently than a 100 calorie whole, natural apple. It has a different affect on your metabolism, your energy levels as well as your insulin response. This can’t be mistaken. If you are watching and counting your calories do not fall into this trap.
3. Healthy eating isn’t just about weight loss — Unfortunately in our current culture, food has been reduced to calories and their affect on our weight. But food has been given to us to enjoy and benefit from. It is our fuel source. Yes, it has a major role in maintaining a healthy weight (but so does our stress levels and sleep patterns but that’s another conversation). Proper nutrition will also affect our energy levels, our ability to think clearly, to function properly and to maintain a good emotional balance. Simply viewing food as just a way to maintain our weight misses the point of proper nutrition altogether
4. We must choose our goals — Just as one diet doesn’t work for everyone, neither do basic rules. We each have different goals and those goals may change over time. However, those goals have an impact on how must fuel our bodies.
For example, if general health and wellness is your goal, intermittent fasting and reduced calorie intake is probably your best best. However, if you are training hard for a race, an event or a sport you will probably benefit from more calories and more meals throughout the day.
It’s important that we clarify our goals so that we don’t simply jump from fad diet to fad diet with no direction or purpose.
5. Healthy eating is multi-faceted — In our normal compartmentalized way of thinking we often view food as the only factor in maintaining a healthy weight. But just like everything else, we are a complex people.
It is not uncommon to find that eating disorders or improper relationships with food are not “diet issues” but are intellectually, emotionally or even spiritually related. Unless we get to the root of our issues, we’ll never eat properly. Although it’s important to start to form healthy eating habits, it’s equally important to look passed the physical act of eating and begin to determine why we are like we are.
I think that should give you enough to think about for now. Eating healthy, just like getting in shape is a process. We’ll continue the conversation next week.
