Congratulations! By reading this blog, you are obviously interested in eating healthy and either losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight. Many of my acupuncture and hypnosis patients are often confused about what to eat, how often to eat and in what portions of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Having been in the health field for over 20 years, I have heard it all. Chinese medicine has the healthiest approach to eating well and for your body type. It’s philosophy is that your body is 100% organic therefor it can effectively process food and drink that is 100% organic. Yes you can ingest chemicals, processed food, rancid food, toxins and other materials, but your body will struggle to process it. Over time, this struggle will create a sluggish digestion (the organs and internal tissues associated with digestion are becoming worn out with their attempt at processing the unnatural) AND will lower metabolism. All calories, depending on their source organic or not organic, are not created equal because the body’s ability to process them are different. By working with patients, I have discovered the following guidelines. They are the first steps in creating the attitude and behaviors required for healthy eating and maintaining your normal weight:
1. Never Overeat – the digestive system is elastic and it has a peristalsis effect (it massages the food down through the tissue and organs); when we habitually overeat, we compromise this system and this decreases our ability to breakdown food, absorb nutrients and pass waste. Under these conditions, the body tends to store substances as fat instead of processing it. The outcome of this may be low metabolism, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, acid reflux, belly fat, ulcers, yeast build up, diverticulitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, pockets in the colon wall and other digestion related disorders. After all that, is that 2nd helping really worth it?
2. Eat only organic food and drink. I realize this may be impossible but do your best. Your body was not meant to digest food all by itself. You need enzymes from food to do this. Live food such as vegetables and fruits have enzymes that help in digestion. Did you know that your favorite spices stimulate enzyme production in your mouth and gut? Basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary are just a few of the enzyme stimulating herbs with which you can spice it up! Make sure your food/drink is fresh and it’s clean.
3. Eating is a Conscious Investment of your Time, Attention and Value System. For some, this is a hard concept to accept because it is a change in lifestyle. This means grocery shopping, cooking, sit down to eat, taking your time, and doing the dishes! Unless you are fortunate enough to have someone grocery shop, cook and clean for you. This can be a major lifestyle change and you may want to do it in steps that create a gradual transition instead of one that creates so much change, you are setting yourself up for failure.
4. You need good carbohydrates, good fats and good proteins in moderate portions. I repeated good because hopefully by now, we all recognize there are good and bad forms of carbs, fats and proteins. Loading up on one or the other, isn’t going to be good for your body. To much protein hurts the kidneys, to many carbohydrates creates imbalance in the pancreas (secrets insulin), and to many fats will collect in your system unprocessed. To little of any of these will cost you required nutrients and will imbalance your system as well. Your body can only absorb so much so moderate portions allow for optimum absorption. Check out the National Institute of Health’s web site at www.nih.gov for additional information and scientific research on how your body digests food effectively and how imbalances in your diet adversely effect your body and your mind.
6. Eat breakfast, lunch & dinner with a healthy snack mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Living healthy requires one to prioritize eating well. For some, skipping meals, eating quickly, or eating large meals that keep you full for hours may seem convenient but the health risks involved are not convenient. Your body is always in a state of self-regulation. Eating regularly and in small to moderate portions helps your body regulate your metabolism, energy levels, blood sugar levels and more.
These are a few of the guidelines. As I said before, eating healthy is a lifestyle that requires certain behaviors and the right attitude. If you need help transitioning your thoughts and behaviors around food and drink, give us a call. We offer a free 20 minute consult that lets you know if we can help you achieve your goals towards better health.
I’m estatic to see a new post, I was going through withdrawals! I adore reading your posts, I can’t get enough of it!
Thank you Makrand. Your passion for natural health is inspiring. Best Regards, Kathleen
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