In PART I of this two part series, I discussed how if we take care our bodies now, by eating REAL, WHOLE foods; we will reach a state of optimal health. If you missed PART I of this series, check that out now! Click on the link in this paragraph!!
Once you get yourself all caught up, let’s dive in to the second part of this series.
WHAT GOOD DOES ACHIEVING OPTIMAL HEALTH DO ANYWAY?
Over the years I have spoken with many people, family members included, who say, “We all die from something, in the meantime, I’m going to eat, drink, and smoke as I please. I want to enjoy my life.” These are the people who typically do not understand how much you can suffer when you develop a disease like cancer or heart failure. Or maybe their lives have been affected in some way, but they are just unaware or misguided by the fact that most diseases and illnesses can be prevented, cured, or minimized with the help of proper nutrition.
It's what you do consistently over time that matters most!
Working at the University of Michigan Hospitals throughout my dietetic internship I witnessed the repercussions of bad nutrition (I hate the word “bad” but it IS appropriate here). As a dietitian, I would make my daily rounds giving nutritional recommendations to patients. Even though I was there to help, I can still remember those with heart failure telling me they wished they could just die because their fluid restriction was so severe or I would see obese individuals who had heart failure, diabetes, AND kidney failure all at once, and I have seen a women in her last dying days battling cancer; hair gone, mouth dry, skin cracked, lack of will or desire to eat, and a heartbroken husband by her side, praying that things could have been different. Maybe these people did consume a diet rich in whole foods and strive to live optimally, but more likely than not, little time was spent thinking about their future health and their physicians probably did very little to promote nutrition as a healing tool.
It is witnessing these traumatic experiences that make me want to live a life of optimal health. I cannot tell you how thankful I am to have my health and how valuable that really is. In the first half of life, people feel invincible and often take for granted those feelings of buoyancy. It’s usually when you get to that mid-late stage in life that things start to ache or hurt, become diseased, or actually fail you. It is then that you realize, perhaps too late, that maybe you SHOULD have taken better care of your body.
I love my family, but I also want them to live a long life...just like my 90 year old Grandma!! She has seen all of her kids, grandkids, and even some great grandchildren! What a blessing!
With just a few food recommendations, you CAN be healthier!! It’s just taking the time to listen, allowing yourself to try new foods, and the willingness to make a change!!
- Eat mostly plants and foods grown from the Earth (organically as possible).
- Consume meat and other animal products in very moderate amounts. Plants should be the focus!
- Purchase and consume little to no processed foods.
- Discover that carbohydrates are NOT the enemy (understand the difference between a complex carbohydrate and a refined carbohydrate).
It is these simple recommendations that can make such an extreme difference; however, it is those that believe in it, who will really reap the benefits.
Believe in the power of nutrition, believe in the fact that God gave us foods that will provide everything we need in order to keep ourselves healthy, and most importantly, don’t take your health for granted, life can change in an instant.
Great series! hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving
Yes! It is amazing what a role that nutrition can play in our overall health. Since I’ve started eating more whole, organic foods, I’ve found that I’m hardly ever sick…and I hope that I can continue to provide my body with the optimal care. My husband started eating better a few years ago, and I’ve seen his health improve DRAMATICALLY. Thank you for sharing! I hope you have a lovely holiday weekend!
GREAT post…and great advice!!! I love this blog series!!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Erin!
Great tips and wonderful message! Happy Thanksgiving!
this reminds me of the Mediteranean diet. i recently bought the book because they say it’s one of the healthiest diets in the world. traditionally, it focuses on plants, beans, and wholegrains, and includes very little red meat (1-2 a month) very little eggs (only 4 per week, including what’s in baking) and little dairy. apparently, they live a long time around there so there must be something to it!
How beautiful is this post! I agree and follow that we turn to plants first before anything else. You just feel better after you get your boost of vitamins from greens and a nice big salad!
Love it
xxoo
I’m a believer, and I’m doing my best to teach and inspire those around me, especially while teaching my 1 year old the importance of good nutrition! So many people challenge me on how I feed him, and tell me that I’m paranoid or overprotective or no fun, but I think good nutrition IS fun, and his little body is my responsibility!
Thanks for the reminder on how thankful I should be for my health and the health of my family!
Yay plants!
i love this post… thanks for sharing it with us. hope you have a nice day!
Great tips! I’m glad you said that carbs are not the enemy because there are so many misconceptions out there.
You were at MI?! I don’t think I knew that – wow! Smarty pants – that is a fantastic health system. When I worked in Ann Arbor I thoroughly enjoyed my doctors there.
I helped my mom eat better, she dropped her cholesterol 50 points – I couldn’t be happier. She gets it now, and that is the best:)