Food is foundational for your existence, and it’s likely you’ve forgotten why you eat. Even Western trained medical doctors haven’t been taught the basic essentials about nutrition, so don’t feel bad. It’s the basis for your health and life and I’ll make it easy for you – keep reading to get a few simple food fixes that can change your health forever!
After 20 plus years in the field of health and nutrition I’ve observed that most people have forgotten why they eat. You may find yourself reaching for sugar or carbohydrates to soothe uncomfortable emotions, stuff feelings, avoid confrontation, or seemingly celebrate a promotion. But is this what food was intended for? I’m not here to shame or guilt trip you, rather raise your awareness around your habits of thinking and behaving. I believe that the more informed you are, the better choices you will make and the happier and healthier you and your family will be. This translates into a long and enjoyable life, rather than one filled with pill-popping and pain-filled suffering.
I’m shocked at how few Western medical schools teach nutrition and lifestyle courses. Physicians are educated in biochemistry, the many systems of the body, neurochemistry, pharmacology (use of medications to treat symptoms), but they are never taught the basic foundation of all life – food, water, and oxygen (breathing/Prana). How can this be? We can likely count on Western medicine to save our lives in the Emergency room, but certainly not to sustain vibrant health for a lifetime. I’m committed to empowering you with knowledge so you don’t slip between the cracks of the Western medical model.
Food is foundational to health and happiness. Food is medicine and has been taught as such in many many cultures around the world. I recently spoke to two tango dancers from Taiwan who were studying in the United States. They were very homesick for their Taiwanese food. They missed the herbs that were cooked in almost every meal, chosen based on the season, mood, time of day, and temperament. They use food as medicine, it’s simply part of their culture – same as in the Chinese and Japanese cultures. During Asian medical school I was taught that foods have various flavors that impact certain organs, and energetic temperatures that support your current health situation.
Without food, your body and mind would fail to thrive. Food fuels your cells to function, your heart to beat, your kidneys and bladder to flush toxins. It also allows your metabolism to function so you have energy plus a healthy weight and body temperature. You’d survive for a short time but then you’d notice organ systems breaking down, your ability to think and make decisions would become impaired and your energy would plummet until you died. There are a few exceptions in history where people survived lengthy fasting, but these are rare.
What you eat actually matters, it determines how your body is going to operate or not operate and become sick. You can increase your energy levels, decrease the amount of times you get the sniffles or flu, and clear up your foggy thinking with five basic “Food Fixes,” which we will go into detail on next week.
Blessings of Vibrant Health,
Kristin Grayce McGary
Health & Lifestyle Alchemist