“Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food.” ~ Hippocrates
In regards to nutrition, we must ask ourselves one important question:
“What are the human dietary requirements in terms of our genetic cellular function?” ~ Dr. James Chestnut
The Be Well dietary approach is our answer to this important question. Based on current research, the evidence is clear that there is No Such Thing as a “One Size Fits all Diet.” However, by looking at current data we understand what an optimal human diet should look like. Interestingly, it seems that the optimal human diet incorporates both Paleo and Vegan principles. Here are a few of the guidelines we recommend:
Anti-Inflammatory
Consuming a diet low in inflammatory foods and rich in antioxidants and nutrients is many times the key in helping to control joint pain, headaches, arthritis, brain fog and can contribute to an overall feeling of well-being.
Some of the more inflammatory foods include: Sugar, excess carbohydrates, corn (especially gmo), non-organic soy products, conventional dairy, hybridized wheat, non-sprouted grains, foods containing glyphosates, and alcohol.
Some of the foods richest in antioxidants, nutrients and anti-inflammatory properties include: berries, fresh vegetables, turmeric, ginger, rosemary, cinnamon, green tea, cacao, coconut, almonds, and wheatgrass. And organic is best, when available.
Proper Omega 6 to Omega 3 Ratio
They typical American diet is way too high in the consumption of omega 6’s, thus creating an imbalance in the proper fatty acid profile. The optimal ratio of Omega 6’s to Omega 3’s should be around 3:1. The average diet is often as high as 16:1! This type of ratio creates more opportunity for inflammation, cancer, obesity, heart disease and other chronic illness.
Omega 3’s, which are found in fatty, cold-water fish (high quality fish oil supplements), raw walnuts, chia, flax and hemp, help to fight inflammation, support heart health, brain health and provide important cellular processes.
Watch the more harmful Omega 6 sources found in things like processed foods, fast foods, non grass-fed beef and other animal proteins, sugary foods and bad oils (corn, soy, cottonseed).
Other Health-Full Foods:
Probiotic-Rich Foods: fermented veggies, kefir
Good-quality Proteins: grass-fed beef, free-range organic poultry and eggs, spirulina, chia, hemp, pumpkin seeds
Filtered Water with fresh lemon: take half of your body weight and consume that many ounces daily
Fiber: cruciferous veggies (brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower), berries, chia, flax, hemp, avocado, artichoke
For more information or help with cleaning up your diet, schedule a 30 minute or 1 hour nutritional consultation with Dr. Wendy