Food as Medicine Part 1

     "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." - Hippocrates

     "Our health is often affected and controlled by our diet; this is why it is very important to make proper choices when fueling ourselves. With food being so easily accessible and often pre-made, we should be able to accomplish more with our time than ever before because we do not have to set aside the time allotted for hunting / gathering, and preparing our fuel.

     A lot of times, sadly, this isn't the case. Actually, a majority of our "free" or "spare" time is stationary by watching television or surfing the web. I'm guilty, most of us are. We could be doing so much with the time we have! Growing our own food, exercising, making something with our own hands instead of running out and buying it - these are just a few of the things we could do.

     We are amazing creatures, our bodies are unlike anything else in existence. We should respect our bodies and take care of them, as they will us.

     Food is a great place to start.

     We need a diet filled with nutrients that build and aid our immune systems. If you are nutritionally deficient, your body weakens and you become more susceptible to illness. Highly processed food is lacking in these nutrients and leaves us vulnerable. The best way to refrain from highly processed foods is to make the food you eat yourself because you can control what you put in your meals, and therefore, into your body. If possible, stay away from processed items such as: 

• breakfast cereals,
• processed meat such as deli meat or bacon (I know - most of you are thinking I'm crazy at this point),
• snacks like snack cakes and chips
•  creams and cheeses (these may have some nutrition but are mostly fattening and should be taken in moderate quantities)
• soft drinks
• white breads and white pasta

     The list goes on, so it is important to do your research - especially if you're doubtful. Processed food includes an ingredient list that may contain any of the following:

• artificial flavors
• high fructose corn syrup
• preservatives (natural or not)
• "enriched" anything 
• BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) (preservative) 

     Once again, the list could go on but start with keeping an eye out for these. Slowly cut these things out of your diet, and start gaining control of what you put in your body. 

     Now, it depends on how you yourself prepare your food. We could avoid packaged food all day long but if we don't prepare our food right then it is for nothing.

     We already know that fried food isn't healthy and instead you should try baking, but did you know that if you boil your vegetables you might as well drink the water you boiled them in because that's where most of the nutrients go. It is better to eat your vegetables raw or steamed than boiled. Also, not cooking your meat all the way through helps preserve nutrients. (Be sure to take precaution measures to not fall ill to poisoning by under cooked meat.) It is proven that most nutrients are preserved when food is cooked under 115 - 118 degrees Fahrenheit. 

     Some food is healthier cooked at higher temperatures because it destroys harmful bacteria (such as the harmful bacteria that can exist on chicken). Also, cooking food containing lycopene (a great anti-oxidant) can bring it out and help your body absorb it. 

     I hope you will take your time and slowly start preparing your own food with a conscious effort of the nutrients (or lack thereof) that lie in your meal. 

     The next post will be about signs of certain nutrition deficiencies and what can be done to help curve these issues. In the mean time, I wish you all good health to you and yours!