The Truth About Food Part II

"When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need." - Ayurvedic Proverb

How many times have you stood in line waiting to pay for your groceries, when suddenly you turn to the right and see a magazine that says “Loose 20lbs in just 2-weeks!” or “Get fit and healthy in just 10-days”? Chances are one too many times. One magazine cover after another, we are shown a series of diets, tips, and tricks, that promise to change our lives forever.

In part one of “The Truth About Food”, we went over the evolution of food and how it has affected the health of our modern-day society. Today, using the 3-Hacks to Eating Better, we will talk a bit more about the most common fad diets.

In the next few paragraphs, you will get a better understanding of these diets and how you can determine if it is a right fit for you.

The Paleo Diet

Consisting mainly of lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, the Paleo diet mimics the way our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate. Remember, before the agricultural revolution items like pasta, bread, rice, and processed foods were not part of the human diet.

Some of the benefits include balanced blood sugar levels, weight loss, improved blood pressure and triglycerides levels.

Hack #1 - Use your Brain!

The human body has evolved with hunter-gatherer DNA, meaning that our bodies recognize the main foods in this diet and has an easier time digesting and absorbing nutrients.

Hack #2 - Would Great Grandma eat it?

But of course! Meat, fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts, all of these are foods that Great Grandma would be happy to eat.

Hack #3 - It’s ALL about the brain.

Since whole foods make up the Paleo diet, our body receives an influx of vitamins and minerals necessary to nourish the body and hence keep the communication pathway clear.

The Ketogenic Diet

This diet is known for being low in carbohydrates and high in healthy fats. The idea is to put the body into a state of ketosis (fat burning mode) by starving the body of carbs.

Some of the benefits include weight loss, controlled blood sugar levels, mental clarity, more energy, and improved cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

Hack #1 - Use your Brain!

Like the Paleo diet, the Ketogenic diet consists of whole foods that are high in healthy fats. Because our ancestors depended on food availability, there were times where their bodies were in a ketogenic state from long periods of intermittent fasting.

Hack #2 - Would Great Grandma eat it?

For the most part. She would probably cut back on some of the high fats because the health industry has told her that it’s “bad” for her heart.

Hack #3 - It’s ALL about the brain.

When in ketosis your body produces ketone bodies whose job is to break down fat and use that energy to fuel your body and your brain! Because of this, your brain produces higher levels of a hormone called Brain-Derived Neuropathic Factor (also known as the “master molecule”) which is responsible for creating new neurons and enhancing the communication between your body and brain.

The Plant-based Diet

Mainly made up of vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes and fruits, the Plant-based diet limits the consumption of meats, dairy, and eggs.

Some of the health benefits include weight loss, improved heart health, controlled blood sugar and blood pressure levels, healthy aging.

Hack #1 - Use your Brain!

Despite some enthusiasts, scientific research of the human body has demonstrated that humans have eaten meat for millions of years. Even though beneficial nutrients have been found in plant-based food, it does not compare to the nutrients found in animal protein and fat.

Hack #2 - Would Great Grandma eat it?

She would recognize almost everything as food but would most likely ask: “Where’s the butter and the bacon?”

Hack #3 - It’s ALL about the brain.

The plant-based diet is full of Phyto-nutrients, chemicals produced by plants that are beneficial for human health but are not considered essential for life such as carbs, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

The Mediterranean Diet

Well known for its anti-inflammatory benefits, the Mediterranean diet also takes into consideration social and cultural elements. The focus around this diet is not only on certain food groups but also on paying attention to the selection of ingredients, ways of cooking and how you eat your meal.

Some benefits include: anti-inflammatory and protects against most major chronic illnesses.

Hack #1 - Use your Brain!

Because the base of this diet is mainly fruits, vegetables, beans and nuts, and lean meat it is easily confused with the paleo diet. The reality is, this type of diet is far from the way our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate because part of its foundation includes grains such as barley, whole grain rice, quinoa, corn, and rye.

Hack #2 - Would Great Grandma eat it?

Definitely! If there was a table spread full of food based on the Mediterranean diet, your Great Grandma would be the first to dive in.

Hack #3 - It’s ALL about the brain.

The Mediterranean diet is full of healthy fats, mostly from fish, that are beneficial for proper brain function.

We live in a world where we’re bombarded 24/7 with new diets, new products, new tips & tricks to living healthier lives.

The truth is, despite ALL OF THIS, we are currently living the unhealthiest times in human history. Think about it for a second. Chronic illnesses in young children and adults are on the rise, and it’s concerning to know that there doesn’t seem to be an end to this. It’s even more concerning that the processed food industry is taking advantage of the quest for healthy living, by creating “healthy” products that are misleading the average consumer.

Achieving a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be hard if you stick to the basic principle of including more whole foods in your current diet. By steadily transitioning away from processed foods you are giving your body and your brain a better chance of living to its full potential.

For more information on this topic contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Brad and discover how chiropractic can help you live your best life!