This simple concept has been obscured by food processors and marketers everywhere. Food is important information you feed your body, it can have a powerful effect on activating your immune system, preventing disease and maintaining a healthy weight. The food you eat can actually age you or help you stay physically and mentally fit.
Every single bite you eat contains a combination of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats along with vitamins and minerals, and sends a chemical message to the cells in your body. In other words, everything you eat and drink, is digested, absorbed and sent to your blood to nourish your cells. Scientifically this is called nutrigenomics, the study dedicated to understanding how the food you eat, affects gene activation and cell reaction. This is why it is important to fuel your body with the foods it was designed to process and metabolize, and understand how and why your digestive system works they way it does. Imagine what a surprise it is when your body has to figure out what to do with highly processed, chemically and hormonally enhanced, and genetically modified foods. Your body is confused and it creates inflammation, which is the building block of disease and a compromised immune system.
Food done right is a simple message to your cells to “power up and do your jobs”. Protein is important because it is one of the most powerful nutrients in the foods we eat, from both plant and animal sources. All of your body tissue is made up of protein, which is why it is vital to have enough protein in your diet to provide building blocks for daily tissue repair. Protein is composed of a specific combination of linked of cells known as amino acids. There are 20 amino acids, of which eight are considered essential, and you can only get them through your diet because your body cannot make them. So, fire up your metabolism by eating the right combination of foods to tell your cells what to do.
Breakfast is one of the easiest habits to tweak for cumulative health benefits. Starting each day well-hydrated and well-nourished will help balance your blood sugar, lower stress levels and provide energy for mental and physical activities. The easiest way to ensure that you have a healthy breakfast, or any meal, is by planning ahead and having all of the ingredients on hand. This is cost and time effective A few hours of shopping and preparation on Sunday can set you up for a week of easy, nutritious, delicious meals. You can add variety to breakfasts by alternating between smoothies, chia pudding, overnight oats and deconstructed breakfasts, like a half an avocado on sweet potato toast or a banana and a handful of walnuts. The key to successful breakfast eating is having all ingredients on hand and prepared, no one wants to be cooking 40 minute steel cut oats in the morning.
Now you know that the molecules in your food are actually messages telling your cells what to do. Food can communicate with your body on a cellular level and tell it how to function, as well or better than medicine can. Food has an important function in the body beyond calories. 100 calories are not created equally in different foods. If you eat an apple for breakfast you are getting fruit acids, fiber and nutrients, like quercetin, which is a flavonoid loaded with anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy properties. If you have a bagel you are loading up on empty calories from a processed carbohydrate that will create a pro-inflammatory condition in your body. Every meal is an opportunity to benefit your health and longevity by consciously choosing foods based on how they will affect you on a cellular level, not on calorie counts or time constraints. Start eating younger today!
Kristen Coffield
I am a passionate advocate for food as medicine, life navigator and culinary coach. This is my space for sharing what excites, inspires and motivates me to live my best life. It began as a recipe blog for nourishing, simple, weekday meals and has become something much bigger… a guide to resilient wellness. I am excited to share my knowledge of how daily habits can cumulatively help you to live like you mean it and age like you want to.
