Food

   "Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly plants." -Michael Pollan

   This pretty much sums it up. Still, the word "food" seems to be a general term that can mean a lot of things. Some good, some bad, and some just downright ugly. Even within these three categories there lies a gradation and some grey areas. We will get to that.

 Food is defined by Wikipedia as:

"Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals. The substance is ingested by an organism and assimilated by the organism's cells in an effort to produce energy, maintain life, or stimulate growth."

   Nutritional support, plant or animal origin, essential nutrients, assimilated to produce energy, maintain life, or stimulate growth. So much of what is in the typical American's pantry at this moment does not actually fit this definition. Much of what you will find on store shelves and in fast food restaurants is simply filler and chemicals. Yes it helps with hunger pangs- however, many manufactured products are completely devoid of nutrition. What happens in these cases is the manufacturers load the products up with salt and sugar so that it is palatable, but the body is looking for nutrients to facilitate function. It's looking for vitamins and minerals, antioxidants to stop harmful processes, building blocks for muscle, and components for energy. So our stomachs get filled, we get a jolt from the sugar, then once the body finds there's nothing really to work with, we get hungry again and eat more. We've eaten the calories, technically we've filled the tank, but it isn't the right fuel. We begin to feel run down, sick, and turn to our nearest prescription to help us feel better. This process does not produce energy, maintain life, or stimulate growth. In fact, it does just the opposite- very slowly and often painfully. 

   "Eat FOOD." If it has come from the earth, and has had a minimal amount of things done to it, it's food. If it has been pulled, picked, washed, possibly cooked, and served, it's food. If it has been picked, washed, had the holy moly cooked out of it till it's grey, had colorings and flavorings added back in so you can't see that it's really overcooked and grey, been topped with preservatives for good measure and packaged, it's really NOT food. Any vitamins it once contained will be destroyed and we are back to chemical filler status. If you are reading labels (yes, you should be reading labels!) and are finding ingredients that you cannot read, pronounce, or identify, it's not food. This is a good time to ask "What's in it for ME?" 

   Eat your natural food rainbow. Food is beautiful. It's supposed to be! We are attracted to color for a very good reason- they are indicative of the vitality that lies within. If you want to feel bright and fresh and vibrant- eat foods that reflect that. Raw fruits and vegetables will contain the most intact vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals (natural plant enzymes and compounds). There is nothing wrong with a light steam, good soup or stir-fry either. 

   What else comes as a fruit and veggie bonus? FIBER. Fiber is wonderful in whole food form. It helps with peristalsis (the churning and movement of the digestive system) and can help with intestinal cramping. It works as a broom- internally whisking away the grime and nonsense, and improves elimination. It helps with satiety or the feeling of fullness, and also acts as a buffer between you and the good sugars you will be ingesting. It delays the uptake so we don't get that instant sugar high and then the plummet. Chia seed and psyllium husks are also good sources of additional fiber and goodness. Psyllium really needs to be soaked in water before ingesting. If you are looking to add fiber into your diet, start slowly and work your way up to avoid any discomfort. 

   As for animal foods, the same rules apply. Opting for naturally cured (nitrate free) meats if you must have things like bacon or luncheon meats. Here, though, there are a few more things to take into consideration. Many animals are given hormones and antibiotics to either increase growth, maintain milk supply, and prevent or treat infection. When you choose an animal food, it bears keeping in mind that you may very well be ingesting some of these medications. Another thought is; what has your animal been exposed to? Were there toxic substances present in the environment or feed? These can remain in the fat tissues and also be passed along down the food chain. Many people also like to take in to consideration the life of their animal. Was it well raised and cared for? Was it's dispatching done in a humane manner? Often times this includes knowing your farmer and choosing local sources. 

   Keep in mind as you move from a processed diet over to whole foods, your body will go through a detox process as it cleans up the chemical mess. Is it horrifying and scary? No. You could expect cravings for some of the old processed foods- or mood swings as your blood sugar starts to find an even keel. Some people will experience some headaches. Keeping healthy snacks like nuts or dried fruits available can help- along with drinking plenty of water. Side effects may include increased energy, skin clearing, weight loss, and an increased sense of well being.