The Healthy Eating Pyramid

Do you connect eating healthy food with feeling good? Healthy eating habits make a big difference in how we feel about ourselves, physically and emotionally. Not only how we look, but mental and physical health. Have you ever pigged out on something you knew wasn’t good for you, only to feel sick later? I have! One thing that can trigger ill health or negative emotions is eating too much sugar.

Fresh-picked vine-ripened SWEET Strawberries!

Eating the right kinds of sugars keeps our brains and bodies going. Foods too high in glycemic response increase blood sugars rapidly then spike insulin levels, resulting in low blood sugar. After I had children that I couldn’t physically handle sugar like I had previously. If I ate refined sugar, I became the Wicked Witch of the West! But there are good sugars , like fruit, sweet potato, and sweet garden tomatoes.

Yummy tomatoes from my garden!

Sugars are one thing, but what about fats? Are some fats healthier than others? Fats in their natural state tend to be healthier than processed fats, such as hydrogenated oils like shortening, or fried foods with trans-fatty acids. Naturally fatty foods like avocados, eggs, olives, coconut, raw nuts, when eaten in balance with the rights carbs (sugars) and protein form part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Which leads to the third type of nutrient, protein. Protein in its natural state is healthier. Animal sources should be clean from unnecessary hormones or antibiotics, and fed clean feed– lean organic meat is safest. Vegetarian sources of protein include nuts, seeds, grains, legumes, and vegetables for complete proteins.

Do you have a vegetable garden? Picking your home-grown produce to eat fresh is a treat! The active enzymes and natural sugar content of just-picked fruits and vegetables, ripened on the plant then popped into your mouth, makes all the effort of gardening worthwhile. Growing a natural, organic garden increases the vitamin and mineral content of the food, and avoids harmful chemicals. Organic foods can also be purchased, but sometimes are picked green for shipping. Nothing beats picking it off the vine and eating it picked fully ripe and fresh! Try it if you don’t believe it.
Fresh fruits and vegetables also hydrate the body. So does filtered or spring water. Do you drink enough water? One recommendation is to drink at least half your body weight (lbs.) in ounces every day.

Even with proper nutrition and hydration, getting nutrients to every cell of the body requires something more–exercise.   The lymphatic system has nothing to circulate it but our movement, so for optimal health some form of movement or massage is necessary.

Knowing about healthy food and nutrition is not the same as doing it! I write this article as a reminder of what to eat to feel healthier. Please contact me if you would like greater support in making healthy choices.