Eating our way to Health

Todays definition of healthy eating is undergoing major change. There has been a noticeable change in attitudes toward foods we are eating. Combined with increasing awareness about healthy eating and dietary fads such as high protein, no fat or just one ingredient, it is not surprising there is a lot of confusion about what is healthy for us.

A variety of choice has sprung up in this fast-paced, time-poor world to cater for convenience living which has been made easier by the vast range of processed foods and artificial supplements to stock our kitchen with.

The food industry has made food more complex, much of the available information conflicting and confusing. Is it any wonder that people are overwhelmed with choice, opting for the easy way to buy pre-packaged meals, fast take away foods and junk food snacking.

But people are getting more concerned about what goes into food which is crucial for long term health benefits and, becoming aware how important it is to have a healthy diet, eat fresh and wholesome foods. Nature never made it complicated.

With the increase of chronic health issues over the past decade such as diabetes, obesity, cancer and increase in allergies, it is time we looked at our dietary habits and at the ingredients we are consuming.

However price is also a big factor in consumers’ buying habits and it’s not always possible to buy the local, fresh organic food but we can be informed to make the best choices to make hearty, nourishing meals to fit within their budgets.

You are a Product of What you Eat

People are becoming more aware of the types of food they eat, not just what is being added to food, but what is missing from food and how their bodies are reacting to it.

On the other hand they are often being misguided or getting confused by branding, packaging and labelling and many automatically pick up a low-fat, no-sugar added product or a ‘health bar’ without reading what other ingredients there are such as chemicals, colourings, fillers and artificial additives.

In the documentary ‘Men Who Made Us Fat’, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE-H__aIEFE journalist Jacques Peretti explaines how the food industry is responsible for a revolution in our eating habits transforming food into an addiction, and how business changed the shape of a nation.

Over the last fifty years the food industry figured out how to make us think we are consuming real food when in fact large quantities of cornmeal products were added as fillers. The documentary tells the story about those that turned eating food into an epidemic, and how major increase in chronic related lifestyle diseases has created one in four people being obese.

What goes into our food is relevant for our long term health. We need to take an active part in our food choices and be responsible for our good health. Fresh is best and avoid products with additives, chemicals, artificial colourings and sweetners.

Food, a Shared Experience

Food is not just about our physical health and survival – it is also about our emotional wellbeing. We need to nourish ourselves on all different levels. Food is an experience that needs to be enjoyed and preferably shared. Food is the essence of our health, we bond over food and it has cultural and spiritual significance.

A lot of peoples’ lives are becoming disconnected, we need to reconnect with others more and eat as close to nature as possible.

Food as Medicine

While there has been a small number of people who understood the benefits of food as medicine, attitudes to eating healthy, organic foods are changing and knowledge becoming more modern and mainstream. The demand for diverse range of organic and natural foods and products for people from all walks of life including professionals, couples, families, the fitness industry is growing exponentially.

There is growing awareness of getting back to nature and the health benefits of nutrient-dense foods, herbs and spices for their medicinal qualities. Food has been regarded as medicine from ancient times.

Tea & Spice Tips For Your Pantry

In ancient times the traditional Indian system of medicine recognised the importance of teas, herbs, plants and spices as a way to maintain the balance of health and prevent a variety of medical conditions. Find a selection of teas here

Three great tea ideas you can make at home