Take The Time to Care: Your Body will Thank You

Nancy Inglehart: Certified Zone Instructor, December 6, 2006

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It is true that the world these days is full of naysayers.

Butter has saturated fats. Margarine has trans fats. Sugar is high glycemic. Aspartame and sucralose are reported to cause a plethora of dangerous side effects. Farm-raised fish are laden with antibiotics, artificial colors and virtually no Omega-3 oils. Wild fish contain high levels of mercury. Cows are fed growth hormones. Convenience foods are loaded with artificial preservatives and additives to preserve them. Conventionally grown fruits and vegetables contain pesticides and are grown in depleted soil, so they fall short of the nutrients they should contain. The airwaves are flooded with facts and data on how America is overfed, undernourished, giving way to heart disease, diabetes, cancer and obesity.

We find ourselves short on hours and long on �to-do�s�. We are bombarded by TV ads, billboards, newspaper ads and mailers promising �more bang for your buck�, �super size for 29 cents more�, drive-thus, call aheads, curbside service, �heat and eat�, just add water, ready in minutes, microwavable�and the list goes on.

Heart disease, diabetes, obesity and some cancers are occurring at an earlier age and the incidence is increasing. A startling statistic shows that the diagnosis of diabetes, heart disease and obesity are increasing in young adults and children at an alarming rate. Children continue to be diagnosed with ADHD, learning disorders and allergies. Children are maturing at earlier ages because of the added growth hormones found in milk and meat.

In an effort to control this epidemic of maladies, the pharmaceutical companies are working overtime to develop and manufacture �better� drugs to treat these conditions. Physicians are treating younger and younger patients with valid concerns about the long term side effects of these powerful drugs. Many medicines used to treat these illnesses often come with their own list of side effects and we are cautioned about drug reactions.

Western conventional medicine has been treating the gamut of illnesses often created and exacerbated by poor and improper nutrition by treating the symptoms and not always addressing the cause. We are not arthritic because of a deficit in ibuprofen, we are not diabetic because of a deficit in Glyburide, and we do not have high blood pressure because of a deficit in allopurinol.

People often ask me what to do. What can they do to live a healthier life?

You might be aware that pharmaceutical companies study natural sources for their therapeutic value in treating illnesses. They then recreate the chemical components synthetically to produce medicines. Unfortunately, although the chemical structure of these synthetically manufactured compounds is the same as their natural counterparts, they often act differently in the body. Even synthetically manufactured vitamins differ from ones found in whole foods. So why don�t the pharmaceutical companies use these natural sources as their drugs? The answer is simple: You cannot place a patent on a plant.

It just makes sense to eat a diet which provides natural sources of necessary nutrients.

I eat organic whenever possible. Organic fruits and vegetables naturally have more flavor, so I don�t need to add sugar and other flavor enhancers. Believe me, there is nothing that compares to biting into a fresh organically grown peach, strawberry, cucumber or tomato.

I eat wild caught fish; they are packed with beneficial Omega-3 oils, where farm raised fish are not.

I eat dairy products produced from cows that have not been fed bovine growth hormones and I also look for organic dairy products as well.

I prefer to prepare my own meals from fresh items, and rarely eat convenience or prepared foods. I ALWAYS take time to read labels on packaged foods. Nutritional label knowledge is essential to understand what you are actually eating, so you can make sensible choices.

You may argue that organic is more expensive. I often will find organic produce costing less than conventionally grown produce. You may argue that prepared convenience food cuts prep time. Although I do not disagree, I often will prepare batches of staples to have ready to add to my weekly recipes. I will cook and freeze beans, grains, grilled chicken and fish in recipe sized portions. Since I start with quality ingredients, I do not need to add condiments which can add empty calories. I instead use herbs to compliment the natural flavors of my ingredients. These can be delicate and subtle to tease out the flavors or bold and robust to make a statement.

Bottom line: Understand how foods and dugs and additives and quality of the foods you eat can affect your overall health. Your body will thank you.