This week, I’m sending along a short but hopefully power-packed post for you to chew on (or not!).
Believe it, or not, what you eat plays a major role in your health. I really, really hope this isn’t the first you’re hearing of this and that you’re pretty aware that food=health, when you’re eating the right things.
Anxiety, depression, fatigue, chronic pain is no exception to the rule of good food and drink choices
In my Chiropractic practice, I like to give folks food and drink to ADD so that they can start feeling that there’s lots of good stuff around before I give them the bad news of what they can’t eat, because, unfortunately, most of the food in the Standard American Diet are detrimental to health and healing. When I mention what NOT to eat and drink, for most, I get a terrified look followed by, ‘well, what’s left to eat, because that’s my entire diet?’.
Let’s start with the great news!
For the most part, unless you have specific food allergies that aren’t ‘the norm’, you can eat all of the fruits, vegetables, grains, beans and lean meats that your heart desires!
Sticking with blueberries, apples, bananas, carrots, celery, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, squashes of all kinds (the list goes on and on….) will help balance your blood sugar, balance hormones, calm your nervous system, and decrease inflammation. Of course, this list is only 1% of what constitutes healthy, nourishing and healing foods.
For breakfast, choose an amazing caffeine-free herbal tea like Celestial Seasonings, Numi Roiboos, Equal Exchange. For the mid-afternoon crash, reach for a chai mix for a natural and supportive pick-you-up. Before bed, I love Traditional Medicinals bedtime tea to soothe my nervous system, calm my mind and ease digestion. Herbal teas are great any time of day. For my very favorite sun tea recipe, watch my video here.
For snacks, instead of reaching for candy, pastries and chocolate for the inevitable mid-afternoon energy dip, pack yourself some celery sticks, red pepper spears, raisins, nuts, gluten free crackers with hummus or a hard-boiled egg. Keeping your blood sugar balanced helps to keep your nervous system more regulated.
If you’re in need of an after-dinner treat, I highly highly recommend finding some nice snacks like a date with cashew or almond butter, apple slices with nut butter, or one of the dessert recipes from one of my favorite cook books: Oh She Glows by Angela Liddon.
I also recommend searching for ‘gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free’ snacks, meals and drinks. I love Gluten-free Goddess and Chocolate Covered Katie for inspiration and meal prep.
The take-home message here is:
Stick with foods that are healing, reparative and calming for your nervous system.
Food can be your friend or your enemy. Make yourself that priority. You can start healing today by being mindful of your food choices. I know it’s hard. I really, really do! At the same time, loving yourself enough to make choices that support your glowing health and vitality will make all the difference in the world. You’ve got this!
Always, in healing,
Dr. Arjan
