The reality of today is as follows: we have forgotten why we have to eat, instead we are getting obsessed with what, when, how, how much, where to eat. There are many millions of diets and food recommendations, no surprise we get easily lost.

Why don’t the wonder diets work? Why aren’t we all physically and mentally fit and living very long, peaceful, enjoyable life? Based on so much research and findings, it’s about time we should be getting to the point when every single person, who follows suggestions about what to eat and what to avoid, should be getting extremely healthy and free of diseases and health related problems. In fact, the health situation is becoming worse and worse, and we never thought cancer would be present in newborns, yet it is, and in multiple hard to cure and very rare forms.

It is very logical to conclude, that something does not add up and something must be profoundly wrong.

The first reason why many diets don’t work is that they may be suited to the person/persons who tried them, and they are completely useless or even harmful for you, me or whoever else. How so? Just like our DNA is absolutely unique, everything else about a particular person is absolutely unique. While all humans have lots of similarities, they also have plenty of distinctions. Our DNA is much older than our personal age or the age of our closest relatives. It has the knowledge of things we have no idea about.

Therefore, the main principle in choosing our food should be using such products which suit our health condition, age, lifestyle and activity level, any existing physical or mental problems and is as natural as possible. It should be also easy enough to find, get and prepare. That’s theoretically, but practically we should follow more our own feelings, listen to our body, make conclusions and correct our previous mistakes. That means, not everything which is good for some celebrity is good for you or me. That also means that not everybody should or can be a vegetarian, vegan or use any other restrictive food choices, unless clinically indicated. Clinically indicated as in: tests are done, and the condition has been confirmed. That means not to base the exclusion of an important food group and nutrient on somebody else’s assumption that they feel better using that particular type of diet.

Balance and moderation is what nature teaches us. Balance in everything, because it is so easy to overdo with things which are deemed good and excellent.

The second principle which applies to food, and especially nowadays: we should always choose everything in its most natural form: plants as plants, vegetables as vegetables, grains as grains, etc. The less unchanged something is, the better.

What do the grocery stores offer? Many processed foods, packaged foods, products with something added, something taken off. Lots of as if improved products: with different flavors, in different colors. Any grocery store has obviously vegetables and fruits. However, I would like to ask: how rich in nutrients are your vegetables and fruit at the closest supermarket? I am talking about Ontario with its long winter, cold spring and fall. Place like Wal-Mart? They’re always busy. The answer is: very little. These vegetables can even look good, they might have some flavor and smell attractively, but if they have traveled for thousands of kilometers and then have spent quite a while in storage and sorting departments, it is very unlikely they have the same amounts of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants as the freshly picked ones.

The most over-used food labels include: fresh, natural and organic.

By a short definition, natural is present in or produced by nature, and it could no way contain additives, chemicals, sweeteners, flavorants, taste enhancing substances, added vitamins or any substances which were not present in this product when found in a natural environment. Organic food in the context of regulations is food produced in a way that complies with organic standards set by national governments and international organizations. These standards greatly vary. There are very distinctive approaches for labelling, handling and processing products in order they were described as organic. Therefore, organic might cost a lot more, but it does not necessarily mean it is free of pesticides, chemicals or other harmful substances. Basically, organic food is food which is grown and processed in accordance with standards in that particular country or region, and the company which is putting it out on the market, has the certificate.

What do we choose?

Whether organic or not: the freshest, the most natural and the least processed. I suppose, if we could, we would grow every single vegetable in our backyard. The quality of some products is so low in Canada, that I have been seriously thinking about baking my own bread.

The attached pictures are from the local farmer’s market. Well, it is a better choice than supermarket, but there is no guarantee you are getting all nutrients you think you are. I will continue in some other post. Thanks for reading! Please share your thoughts!