Jan 16, 2012

The 2 Most Important Food Rules

This is getting down to the basics, people. These two food rules apply to every single person in the world. I don’t care if you call yourself gluten-free, vegetarian, paleo, GAPS, vegan (which isn’t actually healthy - more on that later), locavore, primal, or omnivore.

These are the two MOST IMPORTANT food rules.

It all boils down to this.

Every single person in the world can start with these two rules as a basis for eating healthy.

1. Eat Real Food.

Here’s the thing. Way too much of what we call food and insert into our mouth to swallow isn’t actually food! It’s been mangled and processed in a lab or a factory to the point that you can’t even call it food anymore.

Sure, you can debate the finer points of this argument until the cows come home. Is (fill in the blank) considered a real food because of (fill in the blank) or in spite of (fill in the blank)? What about (fill in the blank) or (fill in the blank again)? Those things aren’t technically (fill in the blankety blank). (What a fun game, don’t you think?!)

But for real, people. Get a grip. Use common sense.

You know what I mean. If you can make this one change for at least 75-80% of your diet, you’re light years ahead of the rest of the country who are falling for those badly disguised marketing tactics (Lucky Charms are healthy because they have whole grains? Fruity Pebbles are healthy because they have antioxidants? Are you freaking kidding me?)

Let’s look at another example or two:

• An apple = real food.
• Apple flavored fruit roll-up = not real food.

• An orange = real food.
• Packaged, pasteurized, sugar- and chemical-filled orange juice = not real food.

Another way to check for real food or fake is to read the ingredients list on any packaged food (do this for EVERYTHING you buy that comes in a package). If it contains more than 5 ingredients, it’s probably not real food. If you have trouble pronouncing one or more of the ingredients, it’s probably not real food. If you detect the presence of colors with numbers after them (blue-5, yellow-3), it’s not real food.

Stick to food that is as unadulterated as possible. Shop along the outside edges of the grocery store, not the aisles. Even better, find local farmers, farmer’s markets, or co-ops and support them. Your food will be even more real that way.

2. Listen to your body.

This is a huge one for me. I get so fed up hearing about the latest nutritional fad - even within the ‘real food’ world. Only eat fruit in the morning. Don’t combine this food with that. Don’t eat gluten, it’s from the devil. Figure out your metabolic type so you can eat the right foods. Get tested and eat right for your blood type.

I just don’t honestly believe that God meant for us to have to know our blood type in order to eat healthy.

But before you say, “It worked for me!” Or “It worked for my aunt’s co-worker’s boyfriend!” Allow me to say this: Yes, these types of fad diets do work for some people. Why is that? Well, everyone’s body is different. And everyone has different issues that need to be worked out nutritionally.

It could also be that a specific fad diet worked for you simply because you started eating more real, whole, nutrient dense foods with the new diet as opposed to the fast food and packaged stuff you were eating before.

This is why it’s huge to listen to your body. Here’s a big tip: start a food journal. Grab a notebook and write down everything you eat in the day, what time of day you eat, how your body feels before, during, and after eating. Include any external factors like stress, exercise, what part of your menstrual cycle you’re in (provided you’re a female, of course), and if you’re traveling.

Start to notice patterns. If you realize that your stomach was queasy on the same days that you drank milk with your grilled cheese sandwich, try eliminating dairy from your diet for a week or two. Keep listening to your body. Are you still queasy? When do you have the most energy? Is there any correlation between your breakfast and your energy levels (or lack thereof) for the day? Your body will tell you what it needs if only you know how to listen.

Be aware that if you are switching from the SAD (Standard American Diet) to a diet of real food, you will most likely experience some withdrawal or detox symptoms. But don’t worry, they won’t last forever! Rome wasn’t built in a day, and sometimes you do have to get worse before you can get better. Detoxing isn’t always pretty, but it’s worth it. Once you start the process, you realize just how toxic you actually were. Note these things in your food journal.

Taking it Further

So I guess here is where I have to insert that cute little disclaimer that says I’m not a medical professional or licensed nutritionist, so take this post into consideration at your own risk. (Of course, I would even prefer you did that even with the advice of medical professionals, who are required to study little to no nutrition in med school).

But do realize that these two food rules are just a launching pad. It may be all you need to know. So don’t stress yourself out with the latest nutritional fad diet. Or you may still be dealing with symptoms that won’t go away or excess weight that won’t come off. Start by eating real food and listening to your body. Then branch out from there. Educate yourself on issues like gut health and balancing your hormones. Consider getting tested for food allergies by a holistic doctor.

But never leave these two food rules behind. I’m convinced they are the cornerstones for healthy eating.

What are your biggest recommendations or tips for eating well?

This post is linked to Fat Tuesday