13 Ways To Use Food As Medicine For A Healthy Life
Almost all of us have heard of the term, food is medicine, but how many of you actually
understand this term? According to research, food is the leading
cause of mortality in the US, so how the phrase, food as medicine, can be justified.
Well, food can nourish your body or can rot you from inside. It all depends on how you
are using food. You can collide the worlds of medicine and
nutrition by eating the right kind of food in the right way. Want to know more? Keep
watching;
In today’s video, we will share with you the 13 ways to use food as medicine for a
healthy life.
#1. Eat more plants and whole foods Foods from plants provide us more nutrients,
fewer calories, a bunch of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.
Nothing can beat the goodness of pure, natural, and unmodified food.
Research has proven that consuming a diet rich in plants, especially whole grains, reduces
the risk of many deadly diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity.
It is best to eat food closest to its natural form, and for that, you have to add more vegetables,
fruits, nuts, and seeds to your diet.
#2. Include more herbs in your cooking Instead of reaching for the salt shaker or
sauce, try adding herbs to your meals. They give your food a unique flavor, appetizing
aroma plus, they are super healthy too. Research has proven that herbs and natural spices can
prevent various diseases due to their antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.
On the other hand, excessive salt and sauces (mostly are rich in salt and high caloric)
increase the risk of heart diseases, stroke, and hypertension, so choose wisely in which
direction you want to go. You can get dry herbs from any store or grow
them in your kitchen garden to enjoy organic fresh herbs.
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#3. Understand that we are all biochemically unique
We all are unique, and so are our nutrient needs. We all have different metabolic needs;
even identical twins are not similar in this perspective, so it is not wise enough to copy
someone's diet and expect your body to react in the same way. According to the Nutrition
Research Institute, 55 percent of women can produce choline from estrogen while the other
44 percent can not do that, and that's not only the case with choline. Every person has
different nutrient requirements, So it is essential to determine your body needs and
seek professional help to know your deficiencies and nutrient requirements.
#4. Cultivate Mindful Eating Habits Even eating healthy food can cause the problem.
It is vital to understand every human body is not functioning similarly. Some substances
may benefit the general population but can be bad for you. It all depends on your digesting
ability, age, disease, food intolerances, and lifestyle. There is no universal diet
that suits every human. Let's see this in this way, broccoli is one of the healthiest
vegetables, full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, but if you are a kidney patient, it might
be unfavorable for you due to its high potassium content. Observe closely what your body needs
and how it reacts when given certain foods to adopt mindful eating habits.
#5. Don’t become a food fanatic Eating healthy is appreciable, but do you
feel guilty even if you slightly drift from your diet regimen? Do you judge people based
on their diet? If yes, then you must stop. There is no need to go towards extreme limits.
All this will make you cranky, depressed and disturb your digestion. Try to eat healthily,
forgive yourself for deviating a bit, and keep learning about healthy eating.
#6. Use foods rather than supplements to prevent chronic illness
Supplements cannot replace food. They for sure plug the dietary gap but still eating
healthy food is crucial. Nutrients from their natural sources are often easier to absorb
and give much more benefits due to their complex structures, unlike pills or supplements. Plus,
food is better in taste, fills your stomach, and is inexpensive, so why not fulfill your
needs by eating a healthy diet. According to research, supplements are beneficial in
some circumstances, but they are not for an optimally nourished population; instead, more
focus should be on a healthy diet.
#7. Make anti-inflammatory food choices Many major diseases like cancer, heart diseases,
Alzheimer's, arthritis are associated with chronic inflammation, and anti-inflammatory
drugs are the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide. Today the need for such drugs is
higher than ever because our diets are lacking essential nutrients. Foods like berries, oranges,
fatty fish, spinach, kale, almonds, and olive oil have strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Many scientific studies support the role of certain foods in preventing diseases due to
their anti-inflammatory properties. So it all depends on you; choose the right type
of food, and you can reduce your risk of illness, while constantly picking the wrong one can
accelerate the inflammatory process.
#8. Care about food choices and preparation To eat healthily, you have to look at what
you are putting in your shopping cart, how you are preparing food, and at what time you
are consuming; it is a whole process indeed, but it is worth it. It is possible to convert
healthy food items into unhealthy ones; it all depends on your preparation method. Try
steaming and boiling to get maximum benefits.
#9. Include foods made from healthy animals If you are a meat lover, look out from where
the meat you are consuming is coming. No doubt, it is full of protein, vitamins, and other
essential compounds, but if you want to get maximum benefits, healthy animal meat is required.
According to Eli Gjerlaug-Enger (an animal husbandry researcher); Meat varies in quality
and nutrients; It all depends on the animal condition.
#10. Combine your nutritional plan with a program to reduce stress
If you are stressed out, your body cannot make the best use of food, no matter how healthy
you are eating. According to American Psychological Association, stress and depression can affect
the absorption of nutrients from foods. Focus on stress management techniques and engage
yourself in activities like yoga and jogging.
#11. Develop fundamental culinary skills You don't have to be a top chef; learning
some basic cooking skills to prepare healthy meals for yourself is enough. According to
a study published in the journal Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the more you dine
out, the higher the chances of obesity and early death. So start preparing meals on your
own, it is the best way to eat healthy on a budget and believe me cooking is not hard
at all everybody can cook.
#12. Find a dietitian near you Sixty-six percent of adults take prescription
medicines in the US, insane, right? It is understandable to take medications for life-threatening
conditions, but for problems that can be resolved, by just improving diet, taking medicine is
not a wise decision. Remember, pharmacological drugs are not natural
and come with side effects. Find a dietitian near you, discuss your problems
and believe me, most of you will not require any medication after proper non-pharmacological
treatment.
#13. Eat until you're 80% full Hara Hachi bu is a Japanese term that means
eat till you are 80% full. Everything is good in moderation, and even the healthiest one
can become toxic if consumed more than a requirement. Eat slowly and focus on your food while eating
so that you can know when the right time to stop eating is. Remember, you should feel
satisfied after meals but not stuffed.
Eating healthy is the first aid for your body; it prevents illnesses and ensures good health.
In case of a life-threatening condition, it is advisable to seek medical help and take
medicines with a healthy diet to heal your body.
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