Are we still eating so healthily?

The foundation of a healthy body is healthy eating. But what is healthy food? Everything these days is processed to make foods appear “natural.” Additives such as dyes, flavor enhancers, fragrances, preservatives and emulsifiers are incorporated into our products in such a way that they are not noticeable. It is these unnatural additives that our metabolism is increasingly struggling with. And then sugar: “sugar is the disease maker of our time.” Sugar is in everything, in all ready-to-eat products, canned vegetables, sauces and even processed meats, because sugar is the cheapest preservative. There are extreme amounts in soft drinks. Our bodies are addicted to sugar. Excess sugar, combined with deficiencies in essential minerals, leads to the development of adult-onset diabetes.

Modern farming methods

Modern farming methods, using fertilizers and pesticides, have impoverished the land. The products are therefore low in magnesium and other trace elements. This is exacerbated by industrial processing, where even more vitamins and minerals are lost. Over the past century, our diet has deteriorated in quality. Until ± one hundred years ago, the diet consisted of many fresh plant foods, such as nuts, seeds, grains, carrots, vegetables, fruits and legumes, as well as game, poultry and fish. Refined carbohydrates and sugars that we now consume in many forms were virtually non-existent among our ancestors. In the original diet, carbohydrates were eaten in the form of whole grains. These contain a wealth of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. The original diet also contained much less saturated fat and more polyunsaturated fatty acids from vegetable oils. Today we eat far more saturated and animal fats than unsaturated fatty acids. The evolution of modern food has been so rapid in less than a hundred years, a fraction of human history, than humans have been unable to adapt properly.
Because man lives and works so intensively and at such a fast pace in these hectic times, he actually needs these essential nutrients even more than before. Thus, it is easy to create a food package that contains products that, invisible to the consumer, lack many essential nutrients. No wonder nutritional deficiencies play a role in the development of many diseases!

Good nutrition

Good nutrition is important because of its impact on health (physical and mental), and the influence it has on preventing degenerative diseases. Many studies consistently show that the majority of illnesses and deaths occur because of what we eat. Common cries are “I eat sensibly,” “I eat healthily” and “I am never sick.” It is also the opinion of the nutrition center in The Hague that if one eats a good and varied diet, one does not need extra vitamins and minerals. However analysis of nutrition shows that our diet is not optimal. The study “Zo eet Nederland 1998” revealed that we are eating less and less potatoes, bread, vegetables and fruit. From fruits and vegetables we get about half of the daily recommended amount. We also eat less and less butter and margarine, less fats (total) so also less of the good fats. This causes vitamin A deficiency in many populations.

The action “Watch Fat”

The “Mind Fat” action of several years ago did not produce the intended results. People generally did reduce fat, but many were deficient in the good fats (the unsaturated fatty acids). The use of “light” products is also not recommended, because ± 30% less fat, means: still 70% mainly saturated or animal fat. Thus, light is not “healthy” but “less unhealthy”!

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a useful substance in our body; it is made in large quantities in our liver. The portion from food is about 20 – 25 %. When we reduce supply through diet, our own production is increased. When we are given cholesterol-lowering drugs, the cycle of cholesterol production is interrupted. It also results in blocking the production of CoenzymeQ10, which affects cellular energy supply, among other things.

Intestinal complaints

A large portion of the population suffers from intestinal problems. The vast majority of our immune system is in the gut. Without a properly functioning gut, good health is inconceivable. So for good health, good digestion is important. Healthy eating contributes to this. But what really is healthy food; food consists of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, fiber and water. Healthy eating consists of as many unprocessed staple foods as possible. Lots of vegetables (raw vegetables) and fruits. Moderate with animal protein and fat. Sufficient unsaturated fatty acids. High-fiber products. Moderate sugars, salt, coffee, tea and alcohol. Grown organically (dynamically) as much as possible, according to the rhythm of nature (seasonal), crops from our own region.