Every morsel we consume carries the potential to either fortify our health or erode it. Simply put, the choice is yours.
Our dietary habits, fundamentally, are about consuming wholesome, unprocessed foods such as lean meats, fruits, and vegetables.
We prioritize nutrient-dense food packed with a wealth of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals over empty-calorie foods lacking in nutritional value.
Quality is paramount to us, so we’re cautious about our meat, seafood, and egg sources and opt for organic, local produce whenever feasible.
Promoting this health-conscious perspective on nutrition are Dallas and Melissa Hartwig, the brains behind the transformative ‘Nutrition in 60 Seconds’.
Despite being an ‘eighty percenter’ – someone who masters a task with up to 80% proficiency – their work inspired me to raise my nutritional practice by another 10%.
The Anatomy of Good Food Standards
Their book, ‘IT STARTS WITH FOOD,’ sets out a compelling framework of good food standards, constructed upon four pillars:
- Fostering a healthy psychological response.
- Encouraging a healthy hormonal response.
- Supporting a healthy gut.
- Bolstering immune function and minimizing inflammation.
This straightforward structure offers an invaluable lens to assess potential food choices.
The deep dive into these standards (Chapters 3-7) further enriches our understanding, driving home the point that what we consume profoundly impacts our health.
The Dark Side of Modern Food
The book doesn’t shy away from revealing the darker side of our contemporary food landscape.
It targets the ubiquitous presence of sugar, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, seed oils, grains, legumes, and dairy products.
These products often masquerade as ‘Supernormal’ foods or food creations – foodstuff that strains our bodies as they’re far removed from what nature intended.
These Frankenfoods send our hormonal systems into a tailspin, leading us to overeat and bypass our natural satiety cues.
Healthy Eating and Meal Planning Simplified
The book’s fourth section segues into a brighter perspective, laying out the blueprint for healthier eating habits.
This is followed by an easily digestible guide to meal planning, offering practical solutions to the often-daunting task of planning nutritious meals.
The Famous WHOLE30 Elimination Process
The icing on the cake is their renowned WHOLE30 elimination process. This groundbreaking method entails purging less healthy foods from our diet and embarking on a 30-day clean eating journey.
This isn’t merely about physical transformation; it’s a mental exercise in self-control and willpower.
The authors acknowledge that the magic may not happen within the 30-day timeframe – it could take longer, and that’s okay.
Reintroduction of Foods and Tasty Recipes
The final step involves reintroducing the eliminated, less nutritious foods, with a schedule to discern which foods may or may not suit your diet.
The book also boasts a plethora of delicious recipes, such as the Dreamy Avocado Dressing and Mocha Steak Rub, certain to satiate the taste buds while adhering to nutritional goals.
‘IT STARTS WITH FOOD’ is a seminal guide to conscious eating. If it’s not the best in its category, it certainly ranks among the top contenders.
Take advantage of the opportunity to transform your health – grab your copy today.
