Health Focused, Not Food Focused

As someone studying nutrition, the concept of “health-focused, not food-focused” seems a little ironic, right? Much of my life I operated under the assumption that if you eat healthy and exercise, all will be well. You’ll be fit, happy, have glowing skin, be resilient to all of life’s challenges, and overall fulfilled. And I know most of ya’ll know how much I looooove my vegetables and a daily workout. Those things are so good for us (and I will always be a proponent of spinach and a daily sweat), but they are not the overall picture of health.

So many things we read and see on social media promote that message, right? But does a Whole 30 diet lead to a happy marriage? Or does never missing a workout fill your heart with love and support? When you look back on your life from your deathbed, will you be comforted by the mere fact that you had a six-pack and never ate carbs? Um, probably not. But if you explored every passion with gusto, lived authentically, and felt connected to the people and world around you, you might say you lived life to the fullest. And if you have a six pack and Keto diet along the way, that’s great (if it feels good for you)!

This approach isn’t just reserved for yogis or spiritual gurus. It applies to each and every one of us, and is starting to be accepted by traditional Western medicine. An article by NIH discussing the impact of integrative medicine on health said “[...]true health requires nurturing of the mind and the soul, in addition to the body.” Yet we often seem to neglect the mind and soul piece in our quest for well-being.

One of the core concepts that I’m learning in nutrition school is the concept of primary food versus secondary food. Primary food is what fuels you off the plate. For example: social life, creativity, spirituality, home environment, rest, career, relationships, etc. If these areas in our life are out of sync, our quality of life and longevity will be impacted. For instance, having a toxic home environment can lead to higher levels of stress which leads to elevated blood pressure and increased risk of heart conditions - even if you are eating all the kale and broccoli! Or sustained periods of loneliness can put you at greater risk of being sick (even moreso than someone who smokes and doesn’t exercise). Or negative self-talk everytime you look in the mirror can manifest as toxicity in your body leading to acne and inflammation even if you are guzzling water, celery juice, and biotin supplements. Conversely, when our primary food is balanced and satiating, our life feeds us exactly what we need. We feel enriched and fully nourished in our bodies and souls.

Secondary food is the actual food that we eat. There is no one diet or way of eating that works for everyone, so it’s important to tune in to what feels good for your body. And recognize that this will change across your life. Try your best to ignore diet books and fads - they are not a long term approach to health! And when you put the responsibility and expertise outside of you, instead of tuning in to what you need, it can backfire. It can lead to obsessive thinking and overanalyzing your body. Trust me, I have certainly been guilty of this and it’s toxic. Consume enough food to fuel your body throughout the day and learn to listen to your body when it tells you it’s full. A good rule of thumb is to eat whole foods and incorporate lots of fruits and vegetables. Have healthy, nutrient rich foods front and center in your fridge and pantry. Those are the foods that you (and your kids) will reach for!

But if you’re craving chocolate in the middle of the day (yep, that’s me!) then honor that and have no guilt or shame. Don’t be afraid to try out different styles of eating and see what works. For instance, I prefer not to eat until after 10am because that feels good for my body to have lots of time to rest and digest, but I expect that it will ebb and flow over time. I also crave a gigantic salad for lunch loaded with healthy fats, protein and carbs. I don’t calorie count or eat something undesirable because that’s what I “should” be eating. I run toward what makes me feel so damn good. And if I'm suddenly craving an egg sandwich for lunch, I'm all over it!

A fascinating real-world example of the positive impact of being health-focused and not food-focused are the Blue Zones. These are five places in the world where people live the longest and are the healthiest: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California. After studying these places, researchers came away with several common variables that contribute to their health and longevity - amazing take-aways for all of us!

1. Move naturally (walk, garden, cook)

2. Maintain the right outlook (adopt a meditation practice, understand the value of rest, get clear on your purpose)

3. Eat wisely (primarily a plant-based diet, nuts, meat sparingly, and wine!)

4. Connect (invest in your spouses, invest in your children, invest in your elders; find your tribe)

I expanded upon this to come up with some more everyday tips to embrace a “health focused” lifestyle. I hope you can find some inspiration!

• Experiment with different eating styles - focus on how food makes you feel. Emphasize power foods. Dr. Mark Hyman is my go-to resource for expert nutrition knowledge.

• Develop a physical movement routine and be consistent. It should be enjoyable! If it’s not, then switch it up.

  • My SIL comes over every weekend and we do a fun cardio dance workout together. Sometimes the kids and animals join in, but whatever! The old me would get frustrated that it’s not hardcore enough or I’m not “doing it right” because I’m laughing and booty shaking while I’m doing it. But now I give myself permission to enjoy movement!! We are moving our bodies, getting our sweat on, but having so much fun doing it together!

• Play with spirituality - mantras, meditation, journaling, reading.

  • I just signed up to join an “expressive writing circle” to come together with other women to write and share. Can you find a safe and supportive space to explore self-expression and spirituality?

• Make sure relationships nurture, support and challenge you.

• Pay attention to how you’re spending your time.

• It’s important to let loose once in a while.

  • I’m not a big drinker, and I don’t drink during the week (it impacts my sleep and I don’t feel great the next day), but if my husband offers to make me a margarita or share a bottle of wine on a beautiful Saturday evening, I allow myself to enjoy it to the fullest.

  • Go out in the rain - let yourself feel like a kid!

Your health is not just what you eat. It’s your relationships, movement, time in nature, thoughts. It’s your stress levels. It’s your sleep schedule. It’s the way you treat yourself & the things you tell yourself. It’s the quality of your relationships and your ability to communicate your authenticity. It’s your ability to let go and be in the moment.

Food is medicine. I strongly believe that, and I have much more to say on that topic! But let’s also carve out space for being nicer to ourselves, cultivating our dearest relationships and resting when we need to. We should deem these things as equally important as buying organic groceries or getting in a sweaty workout. They are just as important in the picture of health. Join me as I’m committed to working on this too…