Finding Balance with Food

Who’s ever tried a gluten free diet? Paleo? Vegan? (insert hand raising emoji here)

I think the majority of us in the health community have tried at least one fad diet or health trend. All of these diets I think are great because they make people think about what they’re eating and encourages healthy eating. But I’m hear to pose this question…

Is there a set diet plan that all people should follow?

With so much conflicting information out there about health and nutrition, it’s hard to narrow down what is (if any) the diet plan that you should be following. I’ve read books like “Grain Brain” by David Perlmutter that go into great detail and research as to why all grains are bad for human health, including gluten free grains like rice and oats. I’ve also read books by prominent doctors and nutritionists that support the consumption of grains.

So how do you figure out which diet is right for you? I think the answer to this question is very simple. But with our obsession with nutrition in counting calories, carbs, and even antioxidants, we’ve overcomplicated the way humans have been eating for thousands of years. The answer to this question can be summed up in a single phrase by my favorite author, Michael Pollan.

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”

Notice how he’s not saying, “Eat paleo. Be vegan. Burn all gluten.” When I first heard this phrase I took a deep breath of relief. It felt so freeing to finally simplify the confusing world of nutrition.

The answer to what we should be eating isn’t in a diet, it’s in real whole foods. We’re talking about quality whole foods. Real, fresh, organic, non-GMO, simple foods. We’ve complicated our food so much that people don’t even know what to look for on a nutrition label. How about skip the label all together and grab an apple? You know exactly where that apple came from – a tree.

When we bash all grains, dairy, and/or meat, we’re just adding to the confusion and spreading judgement. There’s definitely a time for eliminating certain food groups like in a state of disease or tolerances are present, but is there a diet everyone should be on? In my opinion, I think every body is different meaning every body needs different things. We’re aiming for good, balanced, whole nutrition for a full functioning, balanced, healthy body.

Food is fuel, food is medicine, and food is meant to be enjoyed not cause anxiety or depression from restriction. Healthy food can be and is delicious. Yes, it takes time and effort, but I promise you it’s worth it. Take care of your body, and it will take care of you in return.

So what diet is right for you? The food diet. It doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. Start simplifying the crazy world of food and nutrition by eating real food.

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”