Goderich Signal Star, 2017-06-14, Page 5You are what you eat
111‘ Want fries
with that?
Courtesy of Julie Talbot,
MSW., RSW
Over the years we have
become more informed and
sophisticatedas consumers.
Most of us know how to
read food labels and we
understand that added sug-
ars and salts are to be
monitored.
We have also learned the
health hazards of trans -fats
and other toxic processed
ingredients.
Further, we have come to
recognize that our portions
sizes over the years have
become larger just as our
bellies have.
Obesity, including child
obesity, is on the rise, as are
chronic diseases such as dia-
betes and heart disease.
These health issues are a
result of our collective life-
style and diet.
We are a fast food society
and often times we might be
too busy to cook and eat
together at home.
These changes have led to
us down the path of being
disconnected to the food we
are ingesting, which in turn
has resulted in the lack of
optimal nutrients needed for
cell regeneration, health and
healing.
There are many research
articles on nutrition and
health and according to
these articles, most of these
studies agree that by eating
more whole foods, more
plant based foods, and by.
eating less meat and limit-
ing process foods that our
collective health will
improve.
The body knows how to
digest "real" food and
issues arise in the body
(and mind) when pro-
cessed foods are eaten as
they do not digest easily
and are typically stored as
"toxic" fat, thus fatiguing
and stressing various sys-
tems of the body.
"Numerous scientific
studies now confirm that a
whole foods diet comprised
primary of vegetables, fruit,
grains, legumes and,nuts
without added oil,ugar
and salt is optimal for
human health, not only
preventing a broad range of
diseases and illnesses, but
also reversing some of the
most dangerous chronic
conditions. This finding is
of the highest importance
to the commonwealth
because it communicates a
truth that has the power to
save lives." (Plant Pure
Communities Truth Cam-
paign, 2016)
Much of our Western diet
focuses on meat, cheese,
eggs and processed foods.
Research shows that West-
erners are eating too many
dairy and meat products and
not enough whole and plant
based foods.
Our diets are out of bal-
ance and as a result, we are
sicker than other nations
who do not consume as
many of these products.
Me China Study demon-
strates that the people liv-
ing in China do not suffer
from chronic disease per
capita as Westerners and
that the difference lies in
our diets:
"A 'strikingly different
dietary situation existed in
China. In America, 15-17%
of our total calories is pro-
vided by protein, and
upwards of 80% of this
amount is animal -based.
In other words, we gorge
on protein and we get most
()fit frommeat and dairy
products. But in rural
China, they consume less
protein overall (9-10% of
total calories), and only
10% of it comes from ani-
mal -based foods. This
means that there are many
other major nutritional dif-
ferences in the Chinese
and American diets..."
(The China Study, p. 358,
2006).
These facts may surprise
you: Nuts, seeds, oats, qui-
noa, broccoli and brussel
sprouts are rich in protein;
Kale, broccoli, bok choy,
almonds, okra and water-
cress are excellent sources of
calcium. Who knew?
Emotional eating is a habit
we likely all have indulged in
from time to time.
The urge to eat large
amounts of comfort or junk
foods is usually in response
to feeling stress, boredom,
loneliness or anger -rather
than hunger.
Emotional eating can lead
to excess weight gain, high
cholesterol, and other health
problems.
If you are eating outside of
being hungry, it is usually
emotional.
If you do not hear your -
stomach growl, then you
may be experiencing an
emotion.
Perhaps the next time you
have a craving, try checking
in with how you are feeling,
and what you are thinking to
see if you are actually
hungry.
The food we are eating
now is not the same food our
grandparents ate.
Food has been genetically
modified and processed to
make it last longer, make it
more pleasing to the eye and
addictive to the palate.
This is a marketing strat-
egyto increase consumption
and increase revenue at the
expense of our collective
health.
Community gardens and.
farmer's markets are won-
derful places to buy locally
grown fresh foods.
You can even grow your
own produce; this might be a
good way for us to reconnect
to our food and to marvel at
the wonder of bow blessed
we truly are.
Honestly, I believe
Wednesday, June 14, 2017 • Signal Star 5
Contributed Photo
In a fast food society, perhaps it is time we eat more local and fresh foods to ensure of physical
health.
moderation is key in regard
to what and how much we
are eating.
Food is a social and enjoy-
able activity for most of us.
rL AS RWAM
BLUEWATER AREA FAMILY
HEALTH TEAM (BAFHT)
Annual General Meeting
Tuesday June 20th, 2017 at 4pm
6 Goshen Street South,
Zurich, ON
Programming room in the clinic
All welcome.
Huron Superior
Memorials
• MONUMENTS
• FLAT MARKERS
• INSCRIPTIONS
Appointments in the privacy
of your own home anytime
MICHAEL S. FALCONER - MANAGER
RES 5247679 • CELL 525-2281
Many people love cooking
and sharing their creations.
Food also has cultural
significance.
Perhaps moderation
Air
means making sure we have
a balanced diet of healthy
foods and that we can also
enjoy other foods from time
to time but not as the norm.
Ri_____„ver I�• Zn� � K'n9519-524eeston 2 2oderich
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