What is your philosophy and/or approach to Nutrition?
What you put at the end of your fork is more powerful medicine than anything you will find at the bottom of a pill bottle. Food is the most powerful medicine available to heal chronic disease, which will account for more than 50 million deaths and cost the global economy $47 trillion by 2030. All you need to do is eat your medicine and think of your grocery store or local market as your pharmacy.
1) What are the three biggest mistakes people make in regards to their food choices and/or eating habits?
- Counting calories apposed to focusing on the nutrient content of the food.
- Using FAD diets as weight loss strategies – some FAD diets are great as detox diets but only when done as a part of a long term healthy eating plan and healthy lifestyle
- Over exercising to counter over eating – your body is already under stress from having to deal with the excess food and toxins (if eating refined foods or animal fats), intensive exercise on top of this can cause high adrenaline levels in the blood – this inhibits weight loss.
2) What should we be doing/having more of and why?
- Whole foods – they are in their natural state – unrefined, un-processed and free of additives and preservatives. Whole foods provide energy for cell function and strengthen and build healthy cells throughout the whole body. E.g. Vegies, Legumes, Nuts, Seeds, Fruit.
- Liquid Foods – Green Juices and Super Food Smoothies – pre-digested high nutrient, easily absorbed foods efficiently provide our body with the nutrients and energy it needs.
3) If you could name one super food that we should all have in our pantries/fridges what would it be? What benefits does it have to us, and in what ways can we incorporate into our eating regimes?
I can’t name one I have to name 2:
- Spirulina – this is a whole protein, the highest protein plant based whole food on the planet, helps to protect from cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and allergies.
- Maca- A must for all wanting more energy E.g. most people on earth! Balances the Endocrine system, which can help pre-menstrual symptoms but also helps both males and females to regain endurance and mental balance.
4) What is your number one rule/guideline to healthy living via nutrition?
Unless you change what you put in your body, your body will not change – increase whole food nutrients, reduce refined foods (packaged, processed and refined white foods e.g. bread, pasta and white rice) and feel your energy come back! “If you always do what you always done, you will not change” – Rachel Watts Northland Nutrition.
