Food As Prevention
January 13, 2010 by Marci
photo by D Sharon Pruitt
As I was writing the post Food As Fuel, I wondered how readers would respond to the notion that food, at its most basic level, is just the energy source for our bodies. I wondered if that fact would change anyone’s eating habits. It had certainly changed mine. Whether I am at the fridge or at the grocery store, I make most of my food decisions with these questions in the back of my mind “Is this a good fuel for my body? How will this make my body feel?” That will make me put back the jumbo bag of potato chips. Most of the time!
It seems this article hit a note with readers, too. I received great feedback in the comments section, on facebook and in personal emails. One comment stuck out with me. Its gives us another reason to look at the foods we eat more closely. My friend Jessica commented-
“You know I feel the same way, I do not like to “skimp” on the food I feed my family; I belive that feeding them good food saves on money on medicine, dr.s appts, etc. After overindulging over the holidays, we all got sick and so now it is back to healthy eating!!”
Right now, in America, we are looking health care more closely than ever. We are looking into treatments and cures and ways to pay for it all. Why don’t we talk about prevention? Jessica has it right. Eat right and you will not only feel better, you will BE better! How’s that for a good insurance policy? If you don’t get sick, you don’t need to spend money on doctors’ visits and tests and meds. This started me to wonder…How many diseases and conditions can be prevented by better food choices? Well, obesity is one that pops right into my head. And,obesity brings with it a whole myriad of ills – heart disease, high blood pressure, increased cancer risks. I did a quick search of what other conditions can possibly be prevented by good food choices and here’s what I found.
MayoClinic.com outlines an eating plan to help prevent heart disease.
My aunt’s doctor has added certain foods to her diet to help combat her macular degeneration.
Webmd.com has a lists of healthy eating plans for preventing cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
Those are just a few sources I came across in a quick search. There are lots more conditions that a good diet can prevent. Just as Jessica said, when they are taking in good fuel, the body does its job and fights off illness. When the body gets fed bad fuel, the body cannot work efficiently and illness takes hold. I don’t need a doctor or study my the AMA to tell me that’s true.
So, this week, while you are making out your grocery lists and choosing foods for your family, think about the long term impact of those choices. Think past the moments of “this food is so easy and convenient” and “but the kids really like it”. Consider making some changes that will keep you and your family healthy not just happy.
Comments (4)
Very good advice! And such a good way to think about it all!
I totally agree: I make much better choices when I first think “what will this do for my body?” Being present in that thought in that moment makes a huge difference.
Thanks Marci! We all know it can be easier and cheaper to feed our families the “convenient” food. As you know, with meal planning and watching for sales, it can be done relatively easy and cheap!
While it’s possible that one could change eating habits if continually reminding themselves to look at food as fuel, but it’s undeniable that food is TASTY, and also meant for our enjoyment in addition to nourishment.
I think that the same is true of food as it is with anything ‘good’ in life – moderation, balance, proportion is the key.
I have extended family members that were (and some that still are) very obese and thinking of food as fuel probably wouldn’t change their habits immediately – However, once they lost some weight and began to see the health benefits of having a more physically fit body they might be able to see the advantages of viewing food as fuel.