Hey friends! Let’s pick up where we left off last week, diving deeper into the world of food and how to discern the God-made goodness in our shopping carts. Sometimes, our eyes might need a little help distinguishing, right? Today, I’m giving some reminders, fresh insights, and perhaps a sprinkle of new information to spark that motivation for positive change.
The core of this food exploration is stress reduction. The wrong foods can stir up physical stress, inflammation, and a whole cascade of negatives in your life. On the flip side, the right foods are friends, ready to join your stress management plan and bring health to the forefront. Let’s nourish our bodies for a stress-free, vibrant life!
Let’s dive in. The way we farm and produce our food today is a far cry from the practices of the past. Unfortunately, the abundance of toxins sprayed on produce and the depletion of our soils have become major players in the nutritional game.
Even those seemingly healthy conventionally farmed vegetables may be lacking up to half the nutrients found in their organically grown counterparts due to nutrient-depleted soil. It’s a significant gap that we might not always be aware of. When paying a little more for organic produce, you’re not only avoiding a lot of the toxins of conventionally farmed produce, but you’re actually getting more nutrients. For some of the non-veggie enthusiasts out there, if you’re gonna eat them, they better pack as much nutrition as possible, right?
Now, let’s talk wheat. Most varieties are over hybridized and can trigger inflammation in our bodies. If you’re dealing with inflammation, a simple experiment of cutting out wheat for a while might surprise you with positive results. And it’s not just about inflammation; gluten in wheat can also wreak havoc on your gut health.
GMOs is another topic to be aware of. God’s plan was never for us to play mad scientist with our food. GMOs, not easily recognized by our bodies, have been linked to cell mutations that set off a damaging ripple effect. It’s a reminder that when we alter what God created, we might be unintentionally inviting disruptions into our health journey.
I want to assure you, I’m not here to instill fear. Healthy foods offer numerous benefits that can offset occasional encounters with GMOs. However, it’s crucial to raise awareness and be discerning about the source and quality of our food.
Let’s talk about packaged goods – a reality in today’s fast-paced world. While it might seem unrealistic to avoid them altogether, it’s essential to scrutinize what goes into these packages. Opting for organic packaged foods is a positive step, but remember, being organic doesn’t automatically mean it’s minimally processed.
Here’s a simple rule of thumb: if you can’t pronounce an ingredient on the list, it might not be the best choice for your stomach. Another guideline suggests that boxed items ideally shouldn’t have more than 10 ingredients. However, context matters – if those ingredients are primarily spices, it’s a different story. Use your common sense in making these decisions.
If you’re curious about healthier swaps for your favorite packaged treats, share your thoughts in the comments. I can do a post to discuss alternatives and find solutions. Your health journey is unique, and I’m here to support you every step of the way!
When you’re out shopping or selecting ingredients for your meals, taking a moment to read labels can make a significant difference. Here’s a quick guide to help you discern what to keep and what to swap out:
- Poor Quality Fats:
Avoid: Hydrogenated oils, partially hydrogenated oil, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, margarine, margarine-like spreads with hydrogenated oil, cottonseed oil, and synthetic fats found in most commercial cooking oils.
Choose: Opt for healthier fats from sources like avocado, olives, coconut, nuts and seeds, and if you need them in oil form, choose cold-pressed oils.
- Poor Quality Sugar:
Avoid: High fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, white sugar, glucose, Florida Crystals, and artificial sweeteners commonly found in drinks, candies, packaged snacks, cookies, and some so-called “healthy” protein bars.
Choose: Consider alternatives such as raw honey (look for “raw” or “unheated” on the label), maple syrup, coconut sugar, or stevia.
- Poor Quality White Flour:
Avoid: Refined and highly processed carbohydrates found in pastas, bread, cookies, muffins, bagels, crackers, cereals, granola bars, pretzels, and more.
Choose: Opt for whole, organic options like brown rice, beans, quinoa, oats, lentils, chickpeas, millet, and even organic, whole grain pastas or sprouted breads.
Understanding the quality of these ingredients can positively impact your overall health. Consider making informed choices that align with your well-being.
Ideally, cooking from scratch is the gold standard, but, we all have those days when time is not on our side. That’s when having a few trusted go-to brands can be a game-changer. I get tired of constantly reading labels too, so I love it when I find brands I know are consistent. Annie’s is one such brand for me. Usually I trust Whole30 brands, as well, especially if I just don’t have time to slow down and read.
But be aware, just because a place was awesome before doesn’t mean it’s cruising on the health train now. Case in point – I’ve seen Whole Foods’ ready-made section. Not a lot was organic or healthy in the listed ingredients anymore, leaving me unimpressed, especially with the price tag that would make me think it’s the best. So, a little caution there.
When the takeout cravings kick in, plant-heavy is the way to go! Think Indian, Middle Eastern, or Thai – they’ve got some delicious veggie-packed dishes. Have a little fun too – do a little Google search, and you might stumble upon hidden gems in your area. My local grocery store, not a supermarket giant, to be clear, surprises me with a burrito bowl bar, wok bowl bar and a sandwich bar, all rocking organic ingredients. It’s a takeout win without compromising on quality.
So, let’s remember why this matters. think of your body’s cells as mini power plants, and the DNA as the intelligent supervisor, calling the shots. When you fuel yourself with what aligns with God’s creation, it’s like giving the power plant the right tools. The DNA embraces it, synthesizes positive energy, and voila – you’re in sync, operating at full potential.
Now, throw in pesticides, herbicides, GMO confused foods and other harmful stuff, and you’re introducing chaos to the power plant’s well-oiled machinery. The DNA’s receptors of light start shutting down, darkness creeps in, and over time, it covers the memory of perfection in the cell. Multiply this by all the cells in your body, and you’ve got a symphony of chaos.
This is why the positive energy of God made things matter – feel positive, think positive, talk positive, and yes, eat the right foods. Your power plant needs the good stuff to transmit correct information and bask in the light.
If you’re already on the exercise and nutrition train, great! Dealing with your feelings is a great next step, enhancing your balance even further. Remember, it’s a holistic journey – physical, emotional, spiritual – all weaving into your wellness.
I have some things to share with you on animal products next time. Until then, is there even one thing you can optimize based on what you have read today? If so, I applaud you for doing it and would love to hear about it!
