Food is your medicine according to Nutrition Educator Helen Frost, who is striving to convince the rest of us that Live Powerful Nutrition equals a Live Powerful Life!
Take a moment to ask yourself these questions:
Do I sleep well, wake refreshed, and have sustained vibrant energy throughout the day? Do I feel calm in the midst of turmoil, feel positive with stable moods and have control of my weight?
If you have answered No to any of them be warned, it is time to review your nutrition and lifestyle. It is definitely not normal to be tired and unwell. And a few adjustments can make a huge difference. It’s true, what you put into your mouth really does determine your quality of life. Without your health, life can be tough.
The Right Fuel
We are all a walking, living, breathing chemical concoction of air, water and food in human form. High-quality fuel provides higher energy, brain power, performance, healing power, health and quality of life. Low-quality fuel gives the opposite – low energy, low performance and poor quality health.
Is it live or dead?
Food and drinks can be classified for quick reference as Live (high-quality fuel) or Dead, (low-quality fuel).
When foods are still growing in the ground, on the tree, running around or swimming, they are classed as Live. As soon as we pull, pluck or slit its throat, food starts to lose its life and energy. The further away from nature (from the ground, tree or paddock), the less life and health potential a food has. Dead foods are the processed ones found in a packet or tin.
Live foods are fresh foods that include raw fruits and vegetables, lean meat, chicken, fish and other unprocessed animal products. Wholemeal bread, whole grains, nuts and seeds, essential oils and clean water.
Fact: Live foods help to build strong brains and bodies. They defend us from disease and keep us healthy. They give us a fighting chance in a world that is high pace and full of challenges. Live foods can be found mainly around the sides and back sections of a supermarket.
Dead foods are man mad, processed, factory foods. If you cannot recognise what tree, bush or animal it came from it is probably nearly or completely dead. Everything we do to food takes life away from it. By the time it has been heated, flattened, squashed, squeezed, preserved and put in a tin or pack, it is certainly not live. These foods don’t resemble a living thing and have high levels of sugar, fat, white flour, salt and artificial additives, colours, flavours and preservatives and are generally to be found in white bread, pastries and pasta, cakes, chocolates, lollies, ice-cream, margarine, soft drink, alcohol, cordial, carton drinks, processed meats and takeaways. The list goes on!
Fact: You cannot build live, healthy bodies from dead foods. They just drag the life out of you. Dead foods build low energy, cause weight problems, organ breakdown, aches and pains, cravings, headaches, allergies, ADHD, colds, ‘flu and bowel problems. Dead foods contribute to disease problems. These foods can be found along the inside aisles of supermarkets. The longer the use-by-date, the more dead the food or drink actually is.
Remember:
You can only build live, healthy brains and bodies with live food.
Key nutrition considerations for a live brain and body:
1. Water makes up approx 70 per cent of the body. Therefore we should all be drinking eight or more glasses of water each day.
Key actions – conducting energy, cleansing and detoxifying cells and blood, hydration, mental clarity, weight and cellulite control, waste removal and bowel flush and management.
2. Fruits and vegetables – aim to eat between five and nine cups of vegetables of the non-starch variety in abundance and fruits in moderation due to their high sugar content unless, that is, you have a lean frame and are highly active.
Key actions: Provide the key source of vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. Provides energy, mental clarity, boost metabolism and weight control adds fibre for bowel regulation. Sugar levels are stabilised, anti-inflammatory properties are evident and skin tone and quality drastically improve.
3. Protein – makes up about 20 per cent of the body so eat with every meal.
Key actions: building, repair and maintenance of cells, tissues and immunity – prevents cannibalisation and degeneration of cells, muscles and organs. Protein builds muscle strength and tone, assists healing and weight control, calms the brain, stabilises sugar and it stems cravings and bingeing.
4. Carbohydrates – should be eaten every day but the amount depends on the level of activity. These foods include fruit and vegetables, wholemeal bread and crackers, whole grain pasta and cereals such as oats, brown rice, barley, millet, and wheat – the latter if tolerated as it is a common allergy food. Remember to limit or avoid starchy carbs at night if watching your weight.
Key actions: energy, brain food and fibre. Avoid processed white bread, white sugar or white flour-based dead food.
5. Essential fats and oils – virgin/cold pressed oils both olive and coconut, oily fish, nuts, seeds and avocado should be eaten in small amounts daily.
Key actions: cell membrane health, hormones, brain and nerves, anti-inflammatory properties, sugar and cholesterol control, circulation and skin quality. Breakfast – the most important meal of the day.
6. Breakfast – the most important meal of the day.
Key actions: will make or break your day. Helps to stabilise energy, metabolism, weight, sugar levels, mental clarity and moods. A preventative measure against cravings and bingeing.
Combine protein, carbohydrates, fruit and/or vegetable and essential fats and oils.
Avoid: incomplete, small, irregular or, worse still, no breakfast at all.
