Eat Food ~ Real Food

One of my favorite quotes is by Michael Pollen: “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” The first two words of this quote are super-important and sometimes super difficult if you are eating the Standard American Diet (SAD).

Eat food – Real Food: Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish and meat not what Pollen so accurately calls “edible food-like substances”.

Pollen provides some pretty sound guidelines on how to find “Real Food” I like to share with clients that make it easier to decide what to eat.

1. If your grandparents or great-grandparents (depending on how old you are…) would not recognize it as food don’t eat it.
2. Select items with 5 ingredients or less AND if you can’t pronounce an ingredient don’t eat it. If you don’t recognize what something is…neither will your body.
3. Always shop the perimeter of the grocery store this is where the real food is, center isles typically contain the processed “food-like substances”.
4. If it won’t rot, don’t eat it. Honey is an exception, thanks to it’s chemical make up, acidity and the bees of course if stored properly honey won’t rot. Interesting fact: Modern day archaeologists have found pots of honey still preserved when excavating ancient Egyptian tombs…pretty cool eh?? .
5. Always leave the table a little hungry. Don’t eat until you are stuffed to the brim, remember that digestion is a complex interaction between your gut and your nervous system. The hormonal signals (conversation) between your stomach and nervous system take about 20 minute to let your brain know you are full. Taking your time when you eat will help prevent overeating because you are allowing time for your brain to receive the full signal.
6. Make eating an event, sit down to a meal with family and friends ~ this is a great time to connect.
7. “Don’t buy your food where you buy your gas”, US statistics show that 20% of food is eaten in the car. Distracted eating will slow down or stop the digestive process which is critical to not only receive the signal that you are full but also for proper breakdown and absorption of the full nutritive value of the food you are eating.

Always listen to your body. Our bodies were intelligently designed to be in balance, a body in balance has an amazing ability to heal. What we put in our body either supports this innate ability or destroys it.

We would love to support you on your wellness journey.  Call today to book your initial consult (502) 209-7955.