The way back to whole
There’s a lot out there about processed and GMO foods and food additives. Does it mean we should avoid all of it all of the time? Of course not! That would be nearly impossible for most of us. However, choosing whole natural foods for most meals and as a way of life gives us the flexibility to also use processed foods in moderation. The only way to find our way back to whole natural foods is to demand them. We as consumers can be powerful people when we use the influence our wallets! The demand for whole natural foods in some areas of the US is beginning to make a difference. Look for these helpful references:
- The Whole Foods Market Cookbook by Steve Petusevsky
- Food That Fight Disease by Laurie Deutsch Morian
- The Real Food Revival by Sherri Vinton and Ann Espuelas
- Real Food: What to Eat and Why by Nina Flanck
The first step is to become aware of what you and your family are currently eating. Begin to choose more locally grown, natural products (organic when possible). Find retailers in your area that stock whole natural foods. Look for the Fair Trade Label. Ask your grocer to supply a bigger local organic food section in his store. Try looking for natural whole foods online, and find local organic dairies and farms (www.foodroutes.org or www.localharvest.org) . You might be surprised what gems you find in your community. Support your local farmer’s market and remember to buy fresh and buy local!
Are all foods created equal?
Even if we do eat whole natural foods, we still need to know more specifically what to eat for healthy living and how much of it. God gave us all the foods we enjoy, but are they all created equal? Not really! Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, published jointly by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the USDA’s Food Guide Pyramid, revised in 2005, give us a good start. These guidelines are a great way to estimate the variety and quantity of foods that each age group needs to eat every day. We will be referring to and tweaking the Dietary Guidelines (www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines) and Food Guide Pyramid (www.mypyramid.gov) as we move through Made for Paradise. The basic principles of healthy eating can be summarized into three easy-to-remember points :(1) Eat a variety of foods. (2) Know what you are eating. (3) No portion of any food should be bigger than a deck of cards or a tennis ball. The average Americans eats more food at one sitting than most people from other countries eat in a day! It’s sad, but true. To quote Miss Piggy, “Never eat more than you can lift”. Before you follow that advice, consider the source. Moses more wisely said,” You may be sure that your sin will find you out”. (Numbers 32:23) And gluttony is surely a sin! More about that later!
There are three basic principles of healthy eating:
- Eat a variety of whole foods, choosing local and organic when possible.
- Read Food Labels
- Limit serving sizes
Remember: Make whole foods reign!
As a helpful resource, I have lots of articles on healthy ingredients and recipes that you can implement into your daily life.
If you’d like to dig deeper into my journey of discovering God’s plan for health and wellness, check out my book, Made For Paradise: God’s Original Plan for Healthy Eating, Physical Activity, and Rest.
