Chronic diseases are a serious problem in this country and many of them are related to our health crisis and the connection to food choices. Eating a real food diet high in produce and fiber keeps the risk of diabetes at bay. Plus, it keeps cholesterol and blood pressure lower . About one-third of children in our country are overweight. Parents making healthy changes in lifestyle by cooking healthy and being active with their families gives their kids a better shot at minimizing the risk of developing some very preventable health problems.
Reduce Your Risk of Cancer
Antioxidants are powerful cell protectors for our bodies. They protect cells against free radicals, making cells less likely to become cancerous. Eating antioxidants like vitamin C may protect against cancer of the oral cavity, stomach, and esophagus. Antioxidants may also reduce the risk of developing cancers of the rectum, pancreas, cervix, breasts, and lungs (source). Fruits and vegetables contain the highest density of antioxidants, so eating a rainbow of fresh produceeveryday helps you give your body the tools to defend against cancer.
Better Memory and Brain Function
A healthy diet is also your key to a sharp mind. Foods rich in Vitamins C, D, E, and Omega 3s are your best tools to fight cognitive deterioration. Fish (there are those sardines again!) are one of the best known sources of these nutrients needed for boosting our memory because of the nutrient group they contain. Eating a rainbow diet that includes all the food groups can provide the greatest variety of vitamins, and minerals that the body needs to support your brain. Also friends, don’t cut out all carbs or whole meals – you’re much more likely to be grumpy from low blood sugar!
Healthy Colon
As Hippocrates famously said, “all disease begins in the gut.” A healthy colon has all the essential bacteria in place to help in the digestion of the food we eat. When your diet is sugar-rich and low in fiber, the natural environment in the colon where the good bacteria thrives can be destroyed, causing inflammation. A real food diet based on vegetables and fruits and including some fermented foods, like yogurt, will provide fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics, all of which are vital for the good bacteria to survive inside our colon. Fiber also helps in developing proper and healthy bowel movements – and who doesn’t love that?!