Nutrition

By Bernadette Kathryn, LMT, IHLC

Nutrition:

is nourishment or energy that is obtained from food consumed or the process of consuming the proper amount of nourishment and energy.

We all probably know as much about nutrition as we really need to know or probably as much as everyone else knows.  The truth is (at least to me) that we are all still learning about the magnificent world of nutrition.  We know much more now than we did a few years ago and we will continue to learn for a long time to come.  I have not found anyone that knows everything about nutrition.  Just as soon as we think we ‘know’ a detail about the food we eat, some new information comes out to challenge that previous belief.  We are all constantly being bombarded with ‘new’ diet information and it can become confusing and does for many.

It is our goal here to help you navigate all of this information.  We BELIEVE that there is NOT ONE DIET that fits everyone!!!  You have to find your way within all of the massive information that is being thrown at you through the news media, advertising, magazines and friends.  We BELIEVE that your overall LIFESTYLE needs to be full and balanced in a way that is also NOURISHING you and your spirit. When you have healthy relationships at work doing something that you love, great friends and family and an active social life — you will be FED in other ways that help prevent you from eating to fill a void.

We believe that there is no one-size-fits-all diet – each of us is a unique individual with highly individualized nutritional requirements. Personal differences in anatomy, metabolism, body composition all influence which foods that make us feel our best. That’s why no single way of eating works for everyone. The food that is perfect for your unique body, age, and lifestyle may make another person gain weight and feel lethargic.  It’s best to keep a diary and track how you feel when you eat which foods.  Keeping a food journal or diary is a valuable tool in learning about our bodies and food.

Men eat differently than women because they are bigger with more muscle mass to feed, children eat differently than adults because they are growing and have LOTS of energy, and we all have very different preferences. Our personal tastes and inclinations, natural shapes and sizes, blood types, metabolic rates and genetic backgrounds influence what foods will and won’t nourish us.  All of this has to be taken into consideration when thinking about food and what to eat.

What did your ancestors eat?

One of the major factors shaping our food needs is believed to be our ancestry. If many generations of our ancestors were from Scandinavia and accustomed to eating dairy on a daily basis, it’s natural that our bodies would be able to assimilate dairy foods.

Most traditional African communities did not regularly consume milk products, by contrast, so it makes sense that a lot of people of African descent today are lactose intolerant.  There is much more information available on this topic through an excellent book, I highly recommend if your want to learn more, The Metabolic Typing by William Wolcott.

How fast is your metabolism?

Another aspect of eating healthy is metabolism, how fast you convert food into energy. Teenagers can often wolf down a burgers, fries, milkshake, and ice cream all in one meal, without any tightening of the clothes. That is because young people often have fast metabolism and burn calories more quickly than adults, if they are healthy. Even adults have different types of metabolic activity that all require varying proportions of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Knowing what you metabolize best will help you choose foods that support your individual body.

These are just a few of the factors that influence what foods will and won’t nourish you. Ultimately, one person’s food may be another person’s poison, and that is why fad diets don’t work in the long run. You need to find the diet that works for you and your needs. People are different, and getting to know your own body is an essential step in staying healthy!