Nutrition do's and don'ts

Rethinking Our Relationship with Food

Let's begin our discussion by exploring a common disconnect. We've all heard the analogy: you wouldn't put the wrong type of fuel in your car because you know it would damage the engine. It's a simple concept, yet when it comes to our own bodies—infinitely more complex than any engine—we often don't apply the same logic.

Why is that? A major reason is that our food choices are often driven by immediate gratification—what tastes good, looks appealing, or triggers a dopamine release—rather than by what our bodies actually need to function and thrive. This is where a crucial mindset shift comes into play. The goal of this discussion is to explore the idea of fueling our bodies, not just feeding our cravings.

To have a productive conversation, let's align on two key terms:

1. Source & Bioavailability: When we talk about a "source," we're not just asking "What food is this nutrient in?" We're also asking, "How effectively can our bodies absorb and use the nutrients      from that source?" This concept is called bioavailability. Many foods contain valuable nutrients, but if our bodies can't easily access them, their benefit is limited.
2. Essential Nutrients: The word "essential" refers to the nutrients—both macro and micro—that our bodies cannot produce on their own. We must get them from external food sources to survive and function optimally.

Navigating the Landscape of Modern Diets

With those concepts in mind, let's turn to the ever-present topic of named diets. It seems a new one emerges every year, from keto and paleo to Atkins and South Beach. Do they work? Often, yes—at first. Any significant dietary change, especially one that cuts out processed foods, will likely yield initial results.

The critical question, however, isn't about short-term wins, but long-term health. The primary goal of many popular diets is rapid weight loss, but perhaps a better intention is sustainable health improvement, with weight management being a natural outcome.

Let's examine the philosophy behind some of the major dietary approaches:

Plant-Based Approaches (Vegetarianism & Veganism)

These diets center on fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. The benefits are well-documented: they are typically rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. However, from a purely nutritional standpoint, challenges can arise. Ensuring a complete profile of all nine essential amino acids requires careful food combining, as plant proteins are often not as bioavailable as animal sources. Furthermore, certain essential nutrients, like Vitamin B12 and specific types of omega-3 fats (DHA/EPA), are difficult to obtain without animal products or supplementation.

Meat-Focused Approaches (Carnivore, Paleo, Keto)

On the other end of the spectrum, these diets emphasize protein and fat, drastically reducing carbohydrates. Proponents argue this aligns more closely with ancestral eating patterns and can improve satiety and metabolic health. While these diets can be effective for certain health goals, they pose their own set of considerations. A primary concern is the potential lack of dietary fiber, which is crucial for gut health. Additionally, sourcing a wide array of micronutrients solely from animal products can be challenging, and the high intake of saturated fat and cholesterol remains a topic of debate for long-term cardiovascular health.

Finding the Common Ground

So, where does that leave us? While these dietary patterns appear to be in direct opposition, the most successful and sustainable versions of them share a powerful, underlying principle: they all prioritize whole, unprocessed foods.

Whether plant-based or animal-based, a healthy diet fundamentally rejects ultra-processed foods, refined sugars, and empty calories. These items often provide minimal nutritional value while actively contributing to inflammation and poor health. This is the real line in the sand. Diets that have stood the test of time, like the Mediterranean or the principles observed in the Blue Zones, are built on this foundation of real, whole foods.

In our next discussion, we'll move beyond debating specific diets and focus on building a practical framework for eating that is nourishing, sustainable, and tailored to achieving the health results you're looking for.

Do:

- Follow the guidelines provided within the nutrition section.

- Eat 2 to 3 meals a day, fasting as necessary.

- Eat whole foods from natural sources

Don't:

- Eat processed foods at all!

- Eat processed sugar.

- Eat fast food; sorry.

- Eat in a hurry.

- Eat late at night - 2-3 hours before bedtime is optimum.

- Eat empty calories; sugar(again), american flour.