WHEN HEAVENLY NUTRITION PROGRAMS COME HANDY…
Healthy Nutrition and nutrition programs are close to the heart of all interested in Wellness and Holistic Health. Indeed, with us living in a complex environment, working or “just living” if we are either retired or blessed with resources enabling some of us to not work, many people are genuinely dedicated to consuming only “healthy nutritious foods”, avoiding the foods that are believed to be unhealthy, and practicing immaculate healthy eating lifestyle behaviors. This type of eating is best managed with great nutrition programs.
There is a wealth of information available from a variety of sources, notably online. A large number of legitimate research in lifestyle medicine, clinical nutrition etc. supports a growing body of evidence that some foods are MORE BENEFICIAL than others. Also, there are some ways of preparing these foods yielding more health benefits than food preparation via other ways (e.g. by frying). Many national organizations with mandate to oversee the health of nutrition and to make appropriate recommendations for the public at large, developed an array of resources available on line and in dedicated outlets (access in person is nowadays limited due to restrictions arising from the Covid-19 Pandemic). One would expect that these recommendations as to healthy eating are implemented by majority of people. Citizens of Canada and United States can read and a vast majority have access to the Internet. Surprisingly, there is evidence that for example only 2% (2 per 100 people!) follow the simple and adequate dietary recommendations available through the MyPlate website of the US Department of Agriculture. Alike, healthy eating recommendations offered to Canadians are not much more frequently
utilized (Ref.).
With a vast wealth of information as to healthy nutrition, healthy eating habits, healthy ways of food preparation, a MAJORITY of people still go around them when making everyday choices. We all make choices when shopping for groceries, calling for a take-out food in restaurants, ordering meals in the DRIVE THROUGH’s of the ever growing number of Fast Food franchise outlets, and even when placing an order for well-deserved and anticipated “good dinner” in a restaurant! Why do we make sub-optimal choices with our food that is so important for our health? Why is this? Is the availability of information as to “healthy food” and “healthy eating practices” not sufficient? Apparently, the availability of information, and even READING this information is not sufficient in making healthy food choices in everyday life. The engraved unhealthy eating habits, habits of buying unhealthy foods (in the form of groceries, fast food orders and take-outs of meals from restaurants) prevent many people from making healthy choices every time or most of the time. This is why we, as population at large, are where we are: in a rut of unhealthy eating.
To complicate the matter further, one has to appreciate that we do not live in an ideal environment that allows us to live undisturbed, not-stressed and not being mis-informed. With billions of dollars involved in the food industry, processed foods, fast foods, food supplements, meal replacements, weigh loss products, are the great money makers for those who invested in these businesses. As a large portion of the cost of production and delivery of these foods is allotted to marketing, no matter how unhealthy or little beneficial a given food item is, with excellent marketing this item will sell fast and well. The confused consumer will be deprived a healthy nutritious food (meal) after spending their budget on
such food(s). Not only will a consumer spend the money but may develop health consequences from consuming such foods paying their own money and experiencing declined health with an ever repeating a cycle of buying and consuming unhealthy foods.
Now, one must acknowledge, that a lot of things changed over the last 50-70 years. Basically, since the end of WWII. With women entering a work force, women working on one or more jobs, single mothers with children, families of four or more and two working parents, with almost non-existent multigenerational families living under one roof, time became a true commodity. Even with fridges, freezers, major appliances of every kind, still for most people there are not enough hours in a day to care for the family. With vanishing skills of cooking from scratch, the chronic lack of time, a high level of multi-sourced chronic stress, and persistent fatigue, especially after work, all contribute to a shift towards seeking easier, more convenient options for providing meals for the family. This trend contributed to a proliferation of ‘frozen dinners’, take-outs, pizza-dinners almost daily, lunches for school children from vending machines at school, and a gradual decline in home-made cooked-from- scratch meals for the entire family. Of course, there are several people who, despite of toxic
environment, strong marketing of highly processed foods, and lack of time, are still able to prioritize their health and wellness objectives, and cook healthy meals from healthy ingredients and do it on a daily basis.
With more legitimate questions arising as to, for example, what to do with foods containing GMOs, saturated fats, trans-fats, high levels of sodium, food preservatives and additives, the FOOD and NUTRITION environment became even more complex, treacherous with mis-information and
challenging as to making right choices. How to navigate these waters full of hidden dangers, reefs and, truly, full of sharks willing to take your money with no interest in your wellbeing? What about making robust and correct decisions on the spot, thinking fast on your feet and being able to stand your ground by repelling mis-information, refusing to buy the wrong foods and being able to say “NO” to merchants, salesmen or vending machines?
With our busy lives, pressure, stress, lack of time it is difficult but not impossible! The key is to understand that knowledge is one thing and that we are all creatures of habit. With acquired HEALTHY NUTRITION/HEALTHY FOOD HABITS and practicing them daily, our chances for making wrong shopping decisions, eating unhealthy foods are smaller or perhaps negligible IF we pay attention to the world around us with all its environmental stresses and “give me your money” demands. The key is time-management, stress-management and practice and practice and practice healthy food/nutrition/eating habits.
The healthy food/nutrition/eating habits is what make a difference. Nutrition programs help make that difference easy to implement and follow. With health coaches being able to provide relevant nutrition information and being behavior modification specialists, clients can benefit by developing SMART goals and action steps required to attain these goals. With each client having specific personal circumstances, a one-size-fits-all approach will not help everybody. Individual coaching sessions, interwoven with practicing cooking recipes and even cooking demonstrations are methods to develop sustainable healthy habits. Practicing habits of eating in a healthy manner, starting from portion control and eating sensibly and mindfully is a key component of coaching in weight management. These
habits are also important for everyone else.
If you would like to inquire as to our Healthy Eating and Holistic Nutrition programs, please contact us here.
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