Keeping Things in Balance - Pillar 4 Nutrition
We live in a world with more abundant food choices than ever, and mixed messages about what to eat abound.
We’re bombarded with advertising, fitness, and diet information which are ever-changing and overwhelming.
The number of people with food allergies, as well as food-related health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, continues to rise.
Meanwhile, a new mental health diagnosis called orthorexia, related to an unhealthy hyper-vigilance around food and food choices is also on the rise.
If nutrition science keeps advancing, then why are we more confused than ever about our food choices?
We Are Disconnected From our Food Sources
One reason for all this confusion and disease is that we have simply become disconnected from our food.
Urbanization and industrialization bring us further from the source of our food; we eat snacks on the go, and hit the drive-thru more often; we eat while multitasking.
Stress can take a toll on our bodies in many ways, and the busier and more distracted we are, the less conscious we will be about our eating habits.
And heavily advertised, inexpensive foods are often the same ones which are heavily processed and refined.
Saving time on making food might seem like a great idea, but relying on these types of food all the time is not sustainable.
When we aren’t “connected” with our food---when we don’t care where it came from, or what’s in it, or how it was made---we are less conscious about how well it’s actually nourishing us.
We also have a tendency to eat faster and eat more.
So it’s not only about our food choices, but also about how, when, and even why we eat.
When we take the time to relax and enjoy our food, we are more likely to not only enjoy it, but notice how we feel afterward.
Our Food Nourishes More than Our Bodies
Did you know that our food choices can directly affect our mind and emotions?
New research is continually coming out pointing to the direct connection between food, hormones, brain activity, and more.
An article on nutritional psychology via Harvard health sums up a few key findings in the latest research:
Diets high in refined sugars can harm the brain, hinder insulin regulation, and promote inflammation.
There is a collaboration between high-sugar diets and mood disorders such as depression.
Traditional diets such as those eaten by Mediterraneans or Japanese cultures are correlated with a 25-35% less risk of depression.
95% of serotonin (the “happiness” hormone), is produced in the gut and this is linked to the balance of good bacteria in your gut.
This type of research is not only fascinating, but it gives us more reason than ever before to slow down, choose our foods wisely, and pay attention to our food habits.
Let Go of the Concept of “Good” or Bad Food Choices
Low-carb diets, low-fat diets, vegan or paleo...there are so many options out there, which one is best?
Sometimes a certain type of diet is recommended by a nutritionist or doctor to improve a specific condition---for instance, the ketogenic diet has been shown to improve seizures in children with seizure disorders, but may not be suitable for those who are to follow a low sodium diet.
Another example is intermittent fasting: most experts agree that it has plenty of health benefits, but specific guidelines should be followed in accordance with your activity level and gender.
But instead of focussing on a specific type of “diet,” I recommend a more intuitive process, where you would ask yourself questions like:
How do I really feel after I eat certain foods?
Does purchasing and eating these foods line up with my culture and values?
How well do these foods line up with my health and wellness goals?
Values and Tradition: What matters most to you?
Many people have cultural traditions that revolve around food, specific types of food, as well as when and how to eat.
We have food at our celebrations, when we are honoring family, and when we are mourning.
Coming together as a community is a special example of how we can be so closely connected to the food which nourishes our hearts and connects us to each other.
If you’re committed to a low-sugar diet, but you’re at your 5 year old’s birthday party and you want to have a piece of cake to honor the occasion and celebrate with your child, go for it.
But the key here is to choose powerfully, “I’m having this cake to honor this joyous occasion and I’m enjoying it.”
On a global scale, of course, our food choices are connected to the economy and industrial agriculture, and in most cases, the closer we are to our food, we’ll find more nutritional benefits and connections there, too.
Fresh and local produce, for instance (especially organic), will offer more vitamins and nutrients, and hitting up the local farmer’s market or even growing your own veggies is a great way to support the earth, spend time with the family or friends, and get to know your community.
How our food choices affect our minds and bodies
The Middle Way
Chinese Medicine follows a rule: Everything in moderation, including moderation.
Buddhism promotes a concept called “the middle way” or “the middle path,” which exists between self-indulgence and self-denial.
Making an empowered choice to enjoy a delicious piece of cake at a party, for instance, is a perfect example of walking the middle path, if the following day we also make an empowered choice to choose vegetables and proteins.
The idea behind this is to drop the negative self-talk -- putting ourselves down for our choices only perpetuates cycles of stress, depression, and unhealthy habits.
But by following a moderation rule, we can practice being more conscious and happy about our choices at the outset, and also be happy with ourselves afterward!
(The cake is just one example, though. Don’t choose it if you have a specific type of restriction, such as having diabetes or are on a therapeutic diet.)
The point is that when we remove the “good” and “bad” pejorative statements about food, we are more empowered about our choices, every day.
Acupuncture for a Balanced Lifestyle
When patients come to me with struggles around pain, inflammation, mobility problems, or weight gain, I offer specific plans to support treatment and long-term health goals.
I’ve observed when patients understand how food choices can support their journey to move past pain and illness---and when they step into that frame of mind, food choices become empowering rather than disempowering
We’re committed to helping you discover a more balanced and relaxed life through long term, realistic solutions that fit your unique needs and goals.
For more information on our nutritional counseling services, or for general information on what type of natural therapy might work best for you, give us a call today!
Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:
6 Common Exercise Myths Debunked (And What to Do Instead)
Do You Feel Like You Have Zero Control Over Your Pain?
Did You Know Subtraction Can Help Stress and Anxiety Naturally?
This article was originally published in 2019, but has been updated in June 2020 just for you!