Holistic Nutrition For Better Health

Holistic nutrition is focused on eating healthy foods to promote vitality and health. The ethos behind a holistic diet is to support health and prevent disease. A holistic approach to eating is a personal journey that goes far beyond the food we eat, calorie counting and regular exercise.

It’s about nourishing the body, eliminated chronic health problems, raising your energy level and lifting your spirits. Holistic health proposes that individuals achieve a state of well-being through a continuous process of balancing one’s physical, emotional and mental health. The central part of this process has to do with a holistic diet.

 

Goal of a Holistic Diet

The goal of a holistic diet is to achieve balance, proper digestion and sustain a healthy lifestyle. It may sound simple, but it takes discipline and commitment. It’s a natural way of developing a well-balanced diet to create a solid foundation for good physical and emotional health. Everyone is different, which means we all require different dietary needs. Traditional USDA food guides are bogged down by bureaucracy and their recommendations are too general.

A Guide to Healthy Nutrition – What to Eat

·       Drink plenty of water from a trusted source, a minimum of eight glasses (8oz) a day. Even being slightly dehydrated will interfere with digestion.

·       Eat organic food as much as you can and stay away foods that have been exposed to herbicides, pesticide and other harmful chemicals. Genetically modified foods are also less nutritious than organically grown fruits and vegetables.

·       Stick to locally produced food that is organic. These foods are tastier and organic animal products such as meat or eggs aren’t treated with hormones or antibiotics.

·       Grains that are processed to create refined flour products lose much of their nutritional value. Approximately 22 nutrients are lost from over processed foods.

·       Growing your own food is the best way to be sure you are getting what you want. Many times fruits will be picked before they are ripe so they can be transported.

·       If you can’t grow your own food, visit the Farmers Market. Buy organic and locally grown fruits and veggies. At times it may be more beneficial to eat freshly harvested local produce that isn’t certified organic in favor of organic produce that was collected too soon.

·       Don’t avoid fats. Essential fatty acids are a key part of optimum health. Just use moderation when eating fats. For salads try using organic cold-pressed oils. Organic canola or coconut or canola oil is a good choice for cooking. For smoothies and salads, try flax seed oil and sesame oil.

·       Try to eat raw, unprocessed food as much as you can. Foods in their natural state contain nutrients that are broken down when heated. For example, many long distance runners need complex carbohydrates that give them energy over a long period of time, so they eat raw potatoes before a race. If you have the choice between raw cashews and roasted cashews, go with raw.

·       Eat lots of nutrient rich foods. There isn’t one food that gives you all the nutrients you need to have good health. Try different foods and recipes.

What to Avoid

Try to cut out refined sugars, high fructose corn syrup and any type of artificial sweetener like NutraSweet. All of these things contribute to serious health conditions. Below are some other foods you should stay away from.

Trans Fats – This includes saturated fat, hydrogenated oils that are derived from animal byproducts like red meat and dairy products.

Salt – Limit your salt intake to less than 2,300 mg a day. This equals around 1 tsp of salt. Check the labels on your food. You will be shocked at how much salt is in most processed foods. Instead of regular iodized table salt, use sea salt.

Coffee and Soft Drinks – These should be avoided and can be harmful to your body and contribute to serious health problems.

Microwave Cooking – To heat your food you can use a toaster oven, tea kettle, Dutch oven or other source to warm up or cook with.

Additives – Many foods are filled with artificial colors and flavors that are not good for your body.

Genetically Modified Foods (GMO) – It’s unfortunate that food manufacturers are not required by law to mention that foods they produce are genetically modified. Typical GMOs include canola and soy. Only buy organic soy products like tofu, soy milk or protein. 

Other Things to Consider

Taking nutrients to supplement a healthy diet can increase well-being. Even if you eat raw, organic health foods you may not be getting all the nutrients your body needs.

Your health care provider will work with you to determine which types of foods can help you achieve your needs and goals. Total Home Health can connect you with experienced health care experts who are ready to help you live a long, healthy and fulfilling life. Join to day to receive all the benefits of our extensive resources.