Optimum Health; an Overview of Nutrition

Everyone probably has their own idea of what it means to “eat healthy”, but what does that actually mean?! Some may think it means to eat in a way that makes you thin. Some may simply say eating a lot of fruits, vegetables and lean protein is healthy. Some may say “low-carb”, some may say “low-fat”. Obviously it’s a little confusing when you think about it. For me, a healthy diet consists of foods that are nutrient-dense and do not include artificial ingredients. Some ways to identify optimal health are:

resistance to disease (from the common cold and flu to heart disease, diabetes and cancer)
weight naturally managed (no extreme weight gain or loss)
able to sleep well
waking easily and feeling refreshed in the morning
able to conceive easily (during reproductive years)
healthy and regular reproductive cycles in women
clear skin
consistent energy without the need for caffeine or sugar
able to relax easily

These are just a few indicators of good health, and the diet can play a major role in getting there, but you have to have the proper information. Through my many years of trying different diets, I’ve come to conclusion that Weston A. Price Foundation has the best approach to nutrition I’ve ever followed. The following is there guidelines for basic nutrition.

(From WestonAPrice.org/basicnutrition)

Dietary Guidelines-

Eat whole, natural foods
Eat only foods that will spoil, but eat them before they do.
Eat naturally raised meat including fish, seafood, poultry, beef, lamb, game, organ meats and eggs.
Eat whole, naturally produced milk products from pasture-fed cows, preferably raw and/or fermented, such as whole yogurt, cultured butter, whole cheeses and fresh and sour cream.
Use only traditional fats and oils including butter and other animal fats, extra virgin olive oil, expeller expressed sesame and flax oil and the tropical oils—coconut and palm.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably organic, in salads and soups, or lightly steamed.
Use whole grains and nuts that have been prepared by soaking, sprouting or sour leavening to neutralize phytic acid and other anti-nutrients.
Include enzyme-enhanced lacto-fermented vegetables, fruits, beverages and condiments in your diet on a regular basis.
Prepare homemade meat stocks from the bones of chicken, beef, lamb or fish and use liberally in soups and sauces.
Use herb teas and coffee substitutes in moderation.
Use filtered water for cooking and drinking.
Use unrefined Celtic sea salt and a variety of herbs and spices for food interest and appetite stimulation.
Make your own salad dressing using raw vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and expeller expressed flax oil.
Use natural sweeteners in moderation, such as raw honey, maple syrup, dehydrated cane sugar juice and stevia powder.
Use only unpasteurized wine or beer in strict moderation with meals (21 and over)
Cook only in stainless steel, cast iron, glass or good quality enamel.
Use only natural supplements.
Get plenty of sleep, exercise and natural light.
Think positive thoughts and minimize stress
Practice forgiveness.

Dietary Dangers

Don’t eat commercially processed foods such as cookies, cakes, crackers, TV dinners, soft drinks, packaged sauce mixes, etc.
Avoid all refined sweeteners such as sugar, dextrose, glucose and high fructose corn syrup.
Avoid white flour, white flour products and white rice.
Avoid all hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats and oils.
Avoid all vegetable oils made from soy, corn, safflower, canola or cottonseed.
Do not use polyunsaturated oils for cooking, sautéing or baking.
Avoid fried foods.
Do not practice veganism; animal products provide vital nutrients not found in plant foods.
Avoid products containing protein powders.
Avoid pasteurized milk; do not consume lowfat milk, skim milk, powdered milk or imitation milk products.
Avoid battery-produced eggs and factory-farmed meats.
Avoid highly processed luncheon meats and sausage containing MSG and other additives.
Avoid rancid and improperly prepared seeds, nuts and grains found in granolas, quick rise breads and extruded breakfast cereals, as they block mineral absorption and cause intestinal distress.
Avoid canned, sprayed, waxed, bioengineered or irradiated fruits and vegetables.
Avoid artificial food additives, especially MSG, hydrolyzed vegetable protein and aspartame, which are neurotoxins. Most soups, sauce and broth mixes and commercial condiments contain MSG, even if not so labeled.
Avoid caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee, tea and soft drinks. Avoid chocolate.
Avoid aluminum-containing foods such as commercial salt, baking powder and antacids. Do not use aluminum cookware or aluminum-containing deodorants.
Do not drink fluoridated water.
Avoid synthetic vitamins and foods containing them.
Do not drink distilled liquors.
Do not use a microwave oven.

These guidelines may seem “Politically Incorrect” based on what you learned in school, but most of America’s mainstream health resources (FDA, Harvard Medical studies, etc) are funded and founded by Prescription Drug Company CEOs who benefit from the damages caused by the “Politically Correct” diets, but consider these REPEATEDLY PROVEN facts:

(From WestonAPrice.org:)