You Are What You Eat

You’ve probably heard the expression, “You are what you eat.” But have you ever really thought about what that means? And do you think about it when you’re making food choices?

In some ways, we do become what we eat, literally. Have you ever seen an example of your blood plasma after eating a fast food hamburger? What was previously a clear liquid becomes cloudy with the fat and cholesterol that’s absorbed from eating a high-fat hamburger made from animals made fat on an unnatural diet of corn and growth hormones.

A delicious vegetarian meal. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

And when you think about it, we also become what we don’t eat. When we switch from eating unhealthy processed foods to a diet rich in whole, natural foods and vegetables, we become less fat, and less prone to many types of cancers, as well as other diseases. Our cholesterol can improve. The incidence of Type II diabetes is reduced. Blood pressure falls into normal ranges.

If you have a family history of high cholesterol or high blood pressure, then it’s particularly important that you revise your eating habits. Moving towards a more vegetarian diet - or at least eating more vegetables and fewer animal products and processed carbs - has been shown statistically to reduce the incidence of so many of the diseases of industrialized countries. Those who eat more vegetables have historically been healthier and lived longer.

Isn’t it time to think about what you want to be and to eat accordingly? Do you want to be sluggish and fat? Do you want the risks that come with eating an unhealthy diet full of processed, foods and unhealthily raised meats?  Or do you want to look like and be what healthy eaters are: leaner and fitter with a longer anticipated lifespan? It’s never too late to change what you’re doing and increase your chances for a longer, fitter life.

Check out some of our healthy, super-simple recipes this month for some delicious and easy ways to incorporate more fresh, healthy veggies into your diet!