Ultimately, even if you eat enough calories per day you can be malnourished. While eating a classic American diet rife with take out, fast food, frozen meals, processed goods, easy meals, the demands of this diet takes a toll on the body. Especially long term, spanning years or even decades. Which is why the hype over vegan, vegetarian, raw food and paleo diets has been so successful. They highlight and encourage eating more whole foods, fresh produce and even reduce foods that potentially cause inflammation in the body (dairy, meat, sugar, alcohol, wheat, corn). When you eliminate so many problem foods and give the body fresh produce, it heals itself faster and you feel a lot better. This could potentially reverse damage built up over the years.
Eating more whole foods does not mean making sure to buy all your groceries at the Whole Foods grocery store! What it does mean is making sure you are eating foods with the minimum of processing and a short list of ingredients that are basically whole foods themselves. With no additives, artificial flavors and preservatives. That means more fruit and vegetables than what is provided in the classic American diet. And cooking your own meals with whole grains, lean meats (if preferred), lentils and beans. Does that take more work than some are willing? Maybe. Which is why many have to get sick in order to change their diet for the better.
It isn't necessarily that these additives are bad for you, but taken in large quantities, over time and add in the regular daily grind of life's normal level of stress in the mix? It could create a synergistic response in the body where it cannot handle the poor diet on top of not having enough essential nutrients and adding potential personal stress on top (yes our emotions can influence our health and bodily functions). It is like owning a home and then refusing to clean or maintain it. But eventually the appliances break down, the light bulbs burn out, and you need to do some major overhauls.
That isn't to say there is one diet out there to rule them all. Some of us can handle wheat and dairy better than others. Some of us cannot manage a vegetarian/vegan diet without feeling extremely drained or fatigued by the lack of animal protein. One of the hardest things is to convince yourself, beyond how you may feel, why it is imperative to invest in a good quality diet. We have the power to choose our diet and must take responsibility for what we eat. This is partially where eating more whole foods in your diet becomes significant.
I would like to bring forth some simple truths. We always have a choice. Every day, you have to make choices. And we are all responsible for our choices. Sure, there are reasons and circumstances on why you made your decisions, but does that take away the fact that you made them? No. Does it take effort to cook with whole foods, improve your health and nutrition? Yes, absolutely. I won't sugar coat the fact that good health takes effort.
But most importantly, it is all worth it. Eating well for better health and wellness is worth it. Investing in a better quality of life with proper nutrition and exercise allows us to enjoy the little things that make us happy as individuals. Saying you are worth the effort to be healthier also allows you to spend more time with friends, family and loved ones in a greater foundation of peace of mind. Make the choice to improve your diet since it will add up and catch up with all of us eventually.
