As we enjoy the rest of the Thanksgiving weekend and head into the holiday season, we can start practicing gratitude for our health in the coming year by guiding our eating habits towards foods that bring health and healing to our bodies. As I have said repeatedly through the years when counseling others about their diets, "Consciousness does not have to stop at the taste buds." Instead of mindlessly eating our way through every dish on the table, we should use our wisdom to help us make choices that nourish us, instead of sending us into that post-Thanksgiving dinner food coma on the couch in front of a TV.
Consider that over 95% of the American food budget is spent on processed foods that have little or no nutritional value, and are more than likely contributing to disease and dysfunction in the body. With over 3,000 chemicals approved as food additives in the United States, the American diet has been transformed into a giant science experiment ready to explode at any moment. Unfortunately, the majority of these chemicals end up in the foods commonly placed in front of us at this time of year.
Perhaps we should look at our definition of food. Is our definition of food just something that we can swallow, or something that helps to heal the body? Do we eat for recreation or for health? Do we eat to feel full or to satisfy our body's needs? Just because something is sold in the grocery store doesn't necessarily make it good for us. One approach is to shop around the edges of a grocery store where most whole foods can be found. Buy foods at Farmer’s markets, if possible. Aim to eat whole foods, grown organically and if possible, raised locally.
The idea of a balanced diet will always raise questions about what constitutes a “balanced diet?” If we consider geographic areas on the planet where higher percentages of the population live past the age of 100 and continue to demonstrate strength and vitality, we discover that they eat a diet that is 80% plant-based. Another common practice in these areas is pushing themselves away from the table when they are about 80% full. They also engage in downtime to meditate or pray. Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to take time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. These three practices are based on centuries-old wisdom and produce amazing results, as demonstrated by the number of centenarians who practice them.
Lastly, we need to move our bodies. It is reported that 95% of the American population is sedentary. We need to move more to support greater health in our bodies for years to come. After a holiday meal, get outside and take a walk or participate in some other activity. Enjoy nature in its many facets, and enjoy the holidays surrounded by those you love, in mind and heart.
Wishing you a healthy Thanksgiving and beyond,
Dr. Jeffrey McCombs, DC
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