Food is very powerful. It has the power to prevent the most prevalent diseases plaguing North America, heal many chronic conditions and can even reverse some of them. I am referring to nutrient dense, unrefined whole foods, primarily from the plant kingdom. Vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts/seeds, whole grains/pseudo grains and a small quantity of animal derived food.
A plant-based diet has been proven to be the best route to an unimaginable health, preventing diseases caused by poor lifestyle choices, promoting longevity and increasing vitality and mental energy. These leading nutritional experts in the field have the evidence to prove it: Dr. Neal Bernard, Dr. John McDougall, Dr. Michael Gregor, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn and T. Colin Campbell.
I have personally experienced the healing power of food. I have eczema and according to the field of medicine, there is no cure for this prison of perpetual itch and ooze. In spite of this, I did find a way, without the use of pharmaceutical drugs, to heal myself by using food and have been living symptom-free since 2010. Along the journey to wellness, I shed over 30 pounds and dropped 14% body fat. Plant-based nutrition changed my life and I have made it my mission to assist others in achieving an eczema-free life too.
Some of the most common misconceptions:
– Meat is the best source of protein.
– All fat is bad for you.
– All calories are equal.
A plant-based diet can easily provide all the protein you need, as long as you consume a sufficient amount of food. As an added bonus, plants don’t contain any artificial growth hormones, antibiotics, or cholesterol and require less land and resources to grow than animals do. Plus if they’re organic, they’ll have little-to-no pesticides.
Dietary fat is a source of energy that provides essential fatty acids and is used to absorb vitamins A, D, E and K. However there are many fats in our food supply that are unhealthy and even toxic. Try to cut out or at least cut down on trans fats, hydrogenated fats, dietary cholesterol, all oils, unless minimally processed, and anything deep-fried. The substances that replace fat in low-fat foods are even more harmful than fat, so steer clear of those as well.
A 100-calorie snack pack does not equal a 100-calorie apple. The apple provides hydration, fiber, phytonutrients and a natural sweetness, while the snack pack has no redeeming qualities, just empty calories. Real food offers real nutrition that surpasses anything created artificially.
There are three steps you can take towards better health.
1. Cut down on added sugar consumption.
We consume excessive amounts of sugar because it is ubiquitous. According to Robert Lustig M.D., sugar has an addictive nature and leads to weight gain amongst other things.
2. Increase healthful dietary fat.
Don’t be afraid, fat from avocado, nuts/seeds, coconuts and olives are healthy additions to your diet.
3. Cook your own food.
If you are in the mood to start a revolution, simply pull out your knifes and chopping board and get cooking. Shift the control and quality of your diet from corporations to your kitchen.
– Mandeep Hunter
Mandeep Hunter is the recipe developer at Dose and a personal chef with a focus on raw, vegan, gluten-free and sugar-free food preparation. She graduated in 2014 as a Holistic Health Coach who specializes in healing eczema through nutrition and lifestyle choices. She has her own practice and can be contacted through her website healmyeczema.com.
A native of Scotland, Mandeep eats an organic plant-based diet, enjoys weight-lifting, scouring the net for health related information, supports local businesses, cares for the environment, meditates and likes to get creative in the kitchen.