Nutrition and Culture – Food/Nutritional Connections

This article gives you basic knowledge and understanding related to nutrition and well-being.  I don’t use the word “diet” because it has a negative connotation.  Helpful knowledge about food resources gives you an overall understanding of what it means for you as an individual, family member, or caregiver.

            I visited a healing center many years ago, where I learned about the Yin-Yang (balance) of eating the right foods.  There is a need for balance in what you eat, what your physical activities are, and your overall mental health.  This website is about lifelong learning.  Lifelong learning is important at every age.  When we are young, we don’t realize we are in the “aging” process. Even babies are aging!  So, learning about food and nutritional connections contributes to lifelong habits for healthful living.

            Michael Pollan, in his books and lectures, tries to get to the bottom of food choices and what those choices mean, good or bad.  Smart food choices help to prevent diseases.  Eating proper foods in a balanced nutritional regimen helps you to resist illness or cope with an ongoing illness.  The conceptual idea is to maintain or improve your health.

            Food and nutritional connections are the ways we obtain energy and stamina to carry out daily activities.  Water is an essential component in healthy living, but experts have recently recommended electrolyte drinks as well.  Fruits and vegetables of red, orange, or dark green colors are good choices.  Whole grains like brown rice and oats are good for you.  We all need protein, but not too much:  lean meat, seafood, eggs, legumes, tofu, and seeds and nuts all deliver protein in good amounts.

There are also foods to avoid for good health.  Sodium and sugar are two items to use in moderation, or not at all.  Dairy products should be non-fat or low-fat.  There are many nut milks that are great replacements for people who are lactose intolerant.  White flour, white rice, white (refined) sugar, and high fructose corn syrup are also “foods” to avoid. Gluten-free grains have become readily available for those who cannot tolerate gluten.  Alcohol is also a detriment to your well-being, no matter how small the intake.  Some nutritionists recommend a little wine every day, but others say a handful of grapes is better. Consulting medical doctors about nutrition or supplements is not always the best approach, as their education often includes very little about nutrition and the benefits of a healthful diet for disease prevention and overall well-being.  More investigation and research on your own will convince you that healthy living is about making good food choices, now and forever.

My Father Had No Children