How are you feeling? Do you feel in good health or are you experiencing increasing number of aches and pains and minor health issues?
I was diagnosed as being prediabetic the other month which came as a bit of a surprise, as I consider myself fit and active with a healthy balanced diet. Anyway, it got me thinking, particularly after I had a coffee with an old colleague, Jo Shacklock. Jo is a Naturopathic Health Coach helping women in their 50’s and beyond to re-claim their health and vitality and restore them to optimal health through food and lifestyle choices. So, I thought you might also be interested in Jo’s very sound advice. These might be things you do already but it’s always good to get a reminder, especially as when life gets busy good intentions can slip by the wayside.
Like me Jo is passionate about living sustainably in a rapidly changing world where resources are becoming increasingly compromised.
Here are her top 3 tips for being more sustainable in your food choices for a healthier you and a healthier world –
1. Eat a whole foods, mainly plant based diet
2. Buy Organic when you can
3. Nurture your 5 Pillars of Health
1. Eat a whole foods, mainly plant based diet
A whole-food, mainly plant-based diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and a limited amount of quality meat and fish offers numerous health benefits. It’s linked to reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. This dietary pattern also promotes healthy weight management, improves gut health, and may even contribute to better mental health. When advising clients Jo uses a food pyramid which encourages 9 portions of fruit and vegetables a day – the results from doing this in reversing chronic conditions can be amazing. It can fast track you from feeling sluggish and bloated to feeling energised and vital. Bye, bye digestive issues and other symptoms like stiff, achy joints, belly fat and fatigue!
A whole food plant-based (WFPB) diet offers significant environmental benefits too, by reducing the demand for resources like land, water, and energy, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions compared to diets that include animal products. Plant-based foods generally require less energy, land, and water to produce and have lower greenhouse gas intensities. So, one of the most effective changes you can make for your own health and the health of the planet is to eat more plants and less meat, especially avoiding processed meats like sausages and salami – both considered as Class 1 carcinogens by the World Health Organisation.
2. Buy Food from a sustainable Organic Farm
*Pesticides, used in conventional farming, are poisons and, unfortunately, they can harm more than just the “pests” at which they are targeted. They are toxic, and exposure to pesticides can cause a number of health effects. They are linked to a range of serious illnesses and diseases from respiratory problems to cancer.
Organic farms can use pesticides, but they are restricted to a limited number of naturally-derived substances. Unlike conventional farming, organic farming prioritises natural pest control methods, including crop rotation and attracting beneficial insects, with pesticides used only as a last resort.
Organic produce also contains more polyphenols. What are polyphenols? They are a type of antioxidant found in plants, offering numerous health benefits, including protecting against heart disease, certain cancers, and neurodegenerative diseases. They also contribute to managing blood sugar levels, promoting digestion, and supporting overall brain function. What is not to like? If you are interested to try organic produce, you can support organic farmers by ordering a weekly delivery from www.Riverford.co.uk
3. Sustain and Nurture your 5 Pillars.
The five pillars of health are: nutrition, sleep, stress, exercise/movement and relationships. If any one of these are out of balance your health is likely to suffer. To sustain a healthy body it’s important to focus on a balanced diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and stress management. These pillars, combined with avoiding harmful substances like tobacco and excessive alcohol, contribute to overall well-being. Health is multi factorial – it is never just one thing that might cause us to feel unwell. As a health coach, Jo works with clients to set goals around each of these areas to ensure that the balance in your life is maintained. As the saying goes, you can’t outrun a bad diet! So, in other words, you may consider yourself fit, but if the food you fuel yourself with is sub optimal in quality your overall health will be compromised. Likewise, if you are suffering from long term stress, your ability to absorb nutrients will be lower.
We all can feel proud of ourselves when we take what may seem like small steps to make the world a more sustainable place for us and our children. When those steps translate into feeling better about ourselves and living a life free from chronic diseases then that is indeed worth a pat on the back.
If you’d like to find out more about Jo’s work, you can visit her website – www.joshacklock.co.uk
