Proper Nutrition For A Healthy Lifestyle

Remember to listen carefully to your body. By doing so you can learn what is beneficial and what is not useful for you. Be aware of how much you eat and when you need to eat. Amounts: As a rule of thumb, your body will tell you how much you need, as much as your body really wants, but avoid overeating because it will overwhelm your system.

What: As far as ‘what to eat” you should take into account the natural ‘cycle’ know as the “food cycle” or “food chain”.

The Sun is the source of energy for all life on the planet. It nourishes the plants (top of the food chain), which are often eaten by animals (who are vegetarian), which are then eaten by other Animals (carnivores). The food at the top of the food chain, being directly nourished by the Sun, has the greatest life promoting properties. The food value of animal flesh is termed as “second-hand” source of nutrition, and tends to be inferior in nature. Natural foods (fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and grains) have essential nutrients that are easily assimilated by the body. Second-hand food is more difficult to digest and has less nutritional and metabolic value.

WATER: Humans are essentially made up of 60% water. In human babies it is 78% and by age one it is 70%. We all need to stay hydrated. Early childhood is an ideal time to teach your children that drinking regular water is good for them. Lifetime health habits can form at this time. Beverages count as part of the water needed, but avoid those options that have a lot of sugar which is another problem.

Children from 1 to 3 years old should drink 4 cups or 32 oz daily.

4 to 8 year olds should have 5 cups or 40 oz daily.

9 to 13 year olds should drink 8 cups or 64 oz daily.

A rule of thumb as we age is that we drink at least one half of our body weight number in pounds in ounces. Do not drink it too fast and consider the quality of the water you are drinking without chlorine or fluoride is best. Most people are not always aware of when they are becoming dehydrated, so drinking it regularly is ideal. Children who are active should drink it, even before they feel thirst.

When: Eat three times daily and try to leave at least four hours between meals. Try to eat as close to 6pm as possible for your final meal of the day. If you eat late, it will slow down your digestion and possibly disturb your sleep.

Feasting: Once a week have a feast!!! Enjoy your food in a delightful manner, eating slowly and chewing completely. Have something special that you really like to eat.

Attitude toward eating: Think about eating in the highest state of awareness, and with the sense that everything serves a purpose of striving for the highest goals.

Attitude toward preparing food: Be HAPPY and ENJOY the time you spend preparing food. Prepare it with LOVE in your heart and send that LOVING KINDNESS, not only to those for whom the food is being prepared, but to all mankind. As you do so, fill yourself with gratitude and appreciation for you many blessings.