Down 2 Earth Nutrition

Food Addictions

admin — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:03:42 +0000

True addiction to food is probably one of the most prevalent addictions in our society today. Truth be told, many, if not most of the general population has an addiction to at least some types of food. Chocolate anyone? Salty and crunchy? Most of you know exactly what I am talking about. Strangely, many of us with food addictions seem to think that the rules that apply to beating drug and alcohol addictions don’t apply to beating food addictions. All addictions follow a fairly similar pattern. Secrecy, bingeing, guilt, shame, loss of control, even in the presence of solid conviction. It’s the same thing, different substance. Even the detox is similar. When we detox from bad eating habits, our bodies begin to dump all the built up toxins in our tissues and create a temporarily “toxic” body. It isn’t fun. I know this from personal experience. The one place food addiction differs, is that we still need to consume food, whereas it is not essential that we consume alcohol, or drugs or cigarettes. We need to eat. But we do not NEED to eat chocolate. We do not NEED to drink soda. We do not NEED to consume 6 meals a day. We do need healthy, nutrient rich food. That’s ALL we need for food. But we never hear about someone addicted to eating a fresh salad. Or totally overdoing it on brown rice and beans. Why? Because truly healthy food is not addicting. It does not cause a negative reaction in our lives. It is what we were designed to consume to keep this wonderful machine of ours running optimally.

One of the reasons many of the popular national weight loss programs have such a dismal long-term success rate is that they are encouraging us to feed our addictions. How many of them say, “Eat all the same foods you like” and still lose weight. Let me tell you, eating all the same foods is probably what got you to need their services in the first place. Eating a small, lower calorie version of chocolate cake is going to perpetuate anyone’s chocolate or sweets addiction. Over and over I have heard clients say they need a “crutch” or some sweets, or snacks or small amount of (fill in the addictive food here) in their diet plan. My straightforward answer to them is “No you don’t”. Aside from losing a few clients, that simple statement has been successful in at least getting people to figure out their food addictions. If you tell me you NEED a particular food or drink that is nutrient poor in your diet…..well that NEED has addiction written all over it. As with all other addictions, if you have a trigger food, or a food that causes you to lose control over it’s consumption, that food needs to be completely avoided. Not supplemented with a smaller version, not reduced, not replaced with a not-that-great-tasting substitute, but GONE – completely removed from the diet. Is this permanent? Maybe, maybe not. The long-term effects of eating nutrient rich, healthy foods really change a person’s taste buds. You will likely no longer “crave” like before. So down the road, chocolate or whatever you were previously addicted to will no longer give you the “high”. You could take it or leave it. Doesn’t that sound nice?

I am not trying to take the enjoyment out of eating. But truth be told, I think that much of what we call “eating enjoyment” is actually “event enjoyment”. Almost all our social events are centered around eating, friends and family. Would that five star delicious meal taste as good sitting alone in your apartment? Something to think about. Food is fuel – plain and simple. It is not entertainment, even though I stand in the minority when I say that. It is a means of fueling our bodies to run properly. I’m guessing that the entertainment value came in around 10,000 B.C. when Ugg the caveman killed a buffalo and all the other surrounding cave people joined him to eat it. It was nice to be together and even better to be able to fill their empty bellies. A good time all around. That tradition has somehow evolved to “food is fun”! Now I am not saying it isn’t or shouldn’t be. But I do think we have gone overboard. Truly healthy eating can be enjoyed. The added plus is that in addition to the enjoyment of the food, you get an energy and invigoration that is seriously lacking from today’s sugar, sodium, and preservative laden food.

Like I mentioned, this line of thinking with food addictions and eating for entertainment goes against the societal norm. But I feel that people need to really think about this. With obesity rates rising, what we are doing now is not working.

Plant Something

admin — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 01:44:35 +0000

I have been an avid gardener for many years. With the recent stretch of summer-like weather, I have been closely watching my newly planted seeds and young plants. Although I have seen this happen a million times, I am always amazed and awestruck how a tiny seed I put in the ground just days ago, is now a small plant with 3 leaves. With the season’s first heat, they just take off. Soon enough, that little seed will be producing something delicious and very healthy for me to eat. It’s always an amazing process to me. Probably because that little process is what sustains our lives. At least it should. There is no doubt that foods fresh from the ground are the most nutrient rich things we can put in our bodies. You can’t get any fresher than to grow something yourself. Whether, you have a 5 acre yard, or a 5 foot patio, there is always room for a few pots of dirt. Trust me, no fruit or vegetable tastes as good as the one you grew yourself. In a perfect world, we would have all have access to freshly grown, organic fruits and veggies – and we would all be a lot more healthy. Unfortunately, the most convenient food we have is highly processed and chemical-laden. Unless you’re walking into your back yard to pick something. You really can’t get much more convenient than that! So go plant something. Give “convenience food” a newer healthier meaning. It will do your body and your soul a world of good.

Vitamin A

admin — Fri, 28 May 2010 01:19:14 +0000

I am continually on a quest to find the perfect multivitamin supplement. This involves reading a lot of the “supplement facts” labels. For multivitamins, Vitamin A, which is important for vision and immune functioning, is usually the first on the list. Right off the bat, if the amount or type of Vitamin A in the supplement is not up to par with current research, I can eliminate it from my list. This makes my job a lot easier, but I am noticing a disturbing trend. Vitamin A, depending on the dosage and the type used, can be toxic. I am finding too many well-respected supplement companies, with excessive levels of A. Here are the basics on A in supplement form: You should try to avoid “preformed” A, usually listed in the ingredients as retinol palmitate or acetate. Levels of 5000 IU or greater per day have been linked with increased risk of osteoporosis, increased risk of cancer in smokers, and may interfere with the beneficial effects of vitamin D. Ideally, the A should be in the form of beta-carotene, which has shown less toxicity and less risk. If the dosage is less than 5000 IU’s, at least 50% of it should be from beta-carotene. It will list that right on the label. As with many supplements, there is current debate over the truly safe or beneficial amounts. However, there is a lot of agreement that more than 5000 IU’s should be avoided under normal circumstances. For me, when I hear about a supplement’s “debate over safe levels”, or “toxicity” or “increased risk of…..anything”, I always choose the safe route: I’ll just get mine from food: carrots, cantaloupe, pumpkin, yams, tuna, spinach. That’s the way our bodies were intended to be nourished. But if you choose to take a multi vitamin supplement, check the amount of Vitamin A. More than half the ones I researched have excessive levels. When in doubt, eat a carrot. Have a healthy day!

Go Outside and Play

admin — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:08:17 +0000

I recently came across an ad in a magazine that left me really disturbed. The National Wildlife Federation is starting a National movement to get kids outside more. It’s called “Be Out There” (www.beoutthere.org). Now, I have to say, I am of course 100% behind them and think it is absolutely awesome that they are getting this message out there. The disturbing part is that we actually have to have such a campaign. When I was a kid, playing outside was just the norm. Being “grounded” or having to stay inside was torture. I remember spending hours and hours outside with no toys – just sticks, mud, some friends, maybe my bike and of course our imaginations. What are the kids doing today that we have to actually start a movement to even suggest that getting outside might just be a healthier alternative??? I am just dumbfounded that video gaming, cable TV and texting on the couch beat out good old Mother Nature. What is going on?? Author Richard Louv address this phenomenon in his book “Last Child in the Woods”. He discusses the link between many common childhood issues such as obesity, attention deficit disorder and depression and the disconnect between today’s children and nature. He says that time spent in nature is essential for healthy childhood development and for the physical and emotional health of both children and adults. There is nothing more beautiful and perfect than all that blue sky and green grass just outside your door. Okay, maybe it’s down the street a bit, or at the park around the corner, but it IS out there – everywhere. Fresh air and sunshine – it’s a free gift. For those of us who have kids or care for kids, it all starts with us. If our kids see us sitting in front of the computer or TV all day, they will model our behavior. So yes….go outside and play. Leave the cell phone and the laptop inside. Enjoy the wonders of nature. They never get old. Just be still, look around and take it all in. It is a very grounding experience (NOT synonymous with being grounded!) and very healthy for our children and ourselves.