Nutrition - Back to basics

We hear a lot about nutrition in the media and maybe the very sound of the word is getting on your nerves. But the fact is, malnutrition is one of the most serious problems of modern civilization. This fact may seem counter-intuitive to most Canadians and other rich nations but the truth is dietary abuse is rampant in our culture. There is enormous suffering caused by the way we feed ourselves to the point that we are dying of malnutrition.

It is ignorance and lack of interest in the needs of our own bodies that is bringing us to the brink of a "disease care" crisis. Fortunately, there is hope. Modern society is waking up to the importance of nutrition. People are becoming more curious about the sphere of nutrition that encompasses not only the characteristics of food, but also the quality of food and where it comes from, as well as holism of the individual.

Science has dominated the civilized world for the past half century. If something is not demonstrated scientifically, it is claimed to be invalid and unworthy of our attention. While this seems perfectly reasonable, it can also work against us: Food manufacturers are exploiting this phenomenon to their advantage. The marketplace is swamped with supposedly beneficial artificial foods. We have become a generation of gullible consumers. Many dietetic associations are backed by large processed food corporations, and are therefore unlikely to give us objective advice.

By getting back to basics this damage can be undone with the simplicity of live, natural, good-quality food. The quality of the food eaten affects the degree of health experienced. Changes in our nutrition can sometimes have immediate results but more often it takes time to notice the affect. And other times, you may not notice anything at all other than general well-being. If one considers things like long-term health, immunity, and well-being as being as important as the absence of the many ill-effects of poor quality food choices.

“Only natural, wholesome food can produce the degree of health that brings peace of mind and enjoyment of life. In our society, this requires constant vigilance as to what we choose to eat.” – Danielle Perrault.

With so much artificial food surrounding us, this statement has never been truer. Part of the solution is to avoid those establishments which cater to the convenience mentality that pervades consumer society.

What do these words really mean - live, natural, good-quality - in this context?

Live - food that still contains live enzymes, such as fruit, vegetables and sprouts

Natural - food in its natural state, as in unprocessed, unrefined foods like whole grains and legumes

Good quality - food grown in soil rich in essential nutrients such as organically grown crops free of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers

Awareness and understanding of the simplicity of our nutritional needs - live, natural, good quality - will inevitably lead to individual and collective good health. We need to look at nutrition, not only as a means to prevent disease, but also as a way to create our own immunity and overall good health.

As consumers we must demand the quality of food that we are entitled to. Only then will the food suppliers begin to provide it. We will then see a significant move towards the prevention of disease based on a foundation of natural nutrition.