The food we eat creates the foundation for life. With so much confusion surrounding food, I felt obliged to come up with a generalized set of rules that I believe can be applied to anyone.
I’m not here to tell you what you can and cannot eat. These are rules that I believe are simple and practical to implement when transitioning to a healthier diet.
Eat whole foods, not processed edible food-like substances. If you pick something up at the grocery store, ask yourself: “Was this made from nature or by humans?” If you answer “humans”, this is not a whole food.
As humans, we are physiologically designed to eat plants. Plants contain fiber, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and polyphenols which are essential for optimal health. Plants are alive, and therefore rot and go bad.
Healthy fats: [chia, hemp, flax, sesame, and pumpkin seeds], [olive, avocado, flax, and coconut oil], walnuts, almonds, pistachios, pecans, ghee, avocado, and olives.
Proteins: wild cold-water oily fish (Alaskan salmon, sardines, anchovies, herring, mackerel), scallops, shrimp, [pastured chicken, turkey, and eggs], grass-fed beef and lamb, legumes, lentils, chickpeas, tempeh, and sprouted tofu.
Fiber: vegetables, starches, gluten-free grains (brown rice, millet, teff, quinoa, buckwheat), seeds, and fruit.
Greens: cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage) and dark leafy greens (kale, swiss chard, spinach)
Treating yourself to sweets can be part of a balanced lifestyle. When making treats, consider subbing white sugar with natural sugars such as coconut sugar, maple syrup, local raw honey, or dates.
As humans, clean (filtered) water is the only biological fluid needed for survival. While herbal tea, kombucha, and bone broth are great, they are not substitutes for water.
Conventionally raised animal products are much higher in pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids compared to pasture-raised animal products which are higher in anti-inflammatory omega-3s.
Not only is organic produce more nutritious but it also decreases your exposure to synthetic pesticides.
As Oscar Wilde once said: “All things in moderation, including moderation.”
