Food - The Foundation

Your diet plan is like building a house. You need the basic foundation and then you build up your supporting structures and finally you add the finishing touches to personalize it and make it really yours! So the first order of business in building your house is laying the foundation - the dietary foundation of proteins, healthy carbs and healthy fats. The next step is dividing up these calories from the protein, carbs and fats to the right dimensions- kind of like putting in the right size rooms in your house

How do we know what and how much to eat?

What we eat is central to our health! Food acts as medicine - to maintain, prevent and treat disease. The nutrients in food enable our cells to perform their necessary functions.

"Nutrients are the nourishing substances in food that are essential for the growth, development and maintenance of body functions."

When nutrient intake does not regularly meet the nutrient needs of our cell activity, the metabolic process can slow down or even stop.

The question becomes, "What foods should we include in our diet?"

Protein
Carbohydrates
Fiber
Healthy Fats
Vitamins & Minerals
Phytonutrients
Water

Look for lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, seeds, beans, whole grains, peas, lentils, nuts, olive oil, avocados, ocean-caught fish, science-based supplements, and water, water, water!

Protein Foods

• Protein rich foods are the building blocks of body proteins and muscle. Protein helps satisfy hunger, maintain lean muscle mass and gives lasting energy.

Carbohydrate Foods

• Carbohydrates are a primary source of energy and fuel for the body.

Fiber Foods

• Fiber helps with digestion. Fiber foods help fill you up and support the growth of friendly bacteria.

Healthy Fats

• Healthy fats are a source of energy and Omega-3 fatty acids help support cardiovascular health.

Vitamins and Minerals

• Vitamins & Minerals play a key role in cell function, help convert macronutrients into energy and support the immune system.

Phytonutrients

• Phytonutrients are plant-based substances that improve health.

Water

We need water to transport nutrients to cells and to get rid of waste products. Water also works to control body temperature and to provide lubrication to joints, organs and tissues.