Have you ever wondered if what you eat could be affecting how you feel? Your doctor may not tell you to look into your diet, but I’m here to tell you a holistic diet plan could be the answer you’re looking for. In this article, I’ll tell you why the food you’re eating is making you sick, what is a holistic diet plan, and how to implement one.
It’s a SAD Situation
If you get any nutrition information in your social media algorithm, you’ve probably seen experts sharing information about the standard American diet…appropriately shortened to SAD. The SAD is pretty sad because the food manufacturers have taken advantage of the lack of food laws in our country, created byproducts of food, manufactured very well, and pass their product on to the American public. In the meantime, unsuspecting purchasers are getting sicker and not knowing why.
What Is the SAD?
The SAD is an unbalanced diet that most Americans eat. It tends to be much higher in calories, carbohydrates and fat than what the body needs. Because the large majority of it comes from processed foods, it is much higher in sugar and sodium than the body needs. The SAD is lacking in the needed amount of protein, fruits, vegetables, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Processing food has been around for (almost) ever. Ancient cultures processed olives to make olive oil, added salt to preserve food, and heated food to make it safe or palatable. Food processing is not the issue; the issue is chemically processing food. Not only does the SAD have higher amounts of calories, sugar and fat, it is also loaded with chemicals, preservatives and fillers.
Chemical processing was started during the Industrial Revolution when the use of tin cans was invented…undoubtedly leading to lead and arsenic poisoning. The use of modern chemicals in food has been much more recent and has been in our food for less than 100 years. The food processing industry really boomed when chemists synthesized more and more emulsifiers, thickeners, colors, flavors and preservatives. During this time, there were no regulatory agencies to test and monitor the safety of the chemicals. Since the agencies have been created, the laws and regulations remain very loose and are much looser than most other countries. Even though studies show chemicals and food colorings cause multiple health problems, our restrictions don’t limit them.
What is a Holistic Diet Plan?
Because the food industry is not in it for your health (only your wallet), it is up to you to become knowledgeable and take back control of your health.
A holistic diet plan is completely opposite of the SAD. Following the SAD, you don’t put much thought into what you eat. You typically just eat what sounds good. You don’t limit yourself on ingredients or amounts, and there really isn’t much fresh food.
Following a holistic diet plan, you are very intentional about what you eat. You eat a lot of fresh food and very little processed. You do have to limit ingredients and amounts eaten. But the benefits far outweigh the negatives!!
Implementing a Holistic Diet Plan
The first steps in starting a holistic diet plan is knowing it’s not just your diet you will need to change. Having a true holistic approach means you will be evaluating and intentionally changing all areas in your life that aren’t balanced.
I usually start with a client’s diet because it makes the biggest impact the fastest. When chemically processed food is removed and real food is added in, the body responds by decreasing inflammation. Once inflammation is reduced, pain is lessened, the digestive system functions properly, and the body is fueled properly and increases energy levels.
Once the diet is addressed and balanced, I then move into HOW to eat. Most people don’t realize the digestive process starts before the first bite is taken and if the digestive process isn’t started properly, it doesn’t function properly either.
I then move into one of my favorite holistic diet plan changes, using your breath to help create emotional and mental balance. Your breath is so very powerful and is an incredible tool if used in the right way.
Let’s Connect Using a Holistic Diet Plan
A holistic diet plan is much more than what you eat. It is also how you eat, how you breathe, how you think and how you move. I would love to help you get started and become a holistic diet plan user. You can connect with me by commenting below or reaching out here. You can also click here to see if your insurance will cover visits with me.
