What comes to your mind when you think of healthy eating?
For some, it would be a list of diets- keto, intermittent fasting, the list goes on. For others, it is serving sizes, a salad, and the occasional ‘guilty’ pleasure of chocolate. Across the board, we think that food is fuel, and a social activity (hello, birthday celebrations!), but have we considered its impact on our body, mind, and even the environment?
Meet holistic nutrition.
Unlike many diet fads, holistic nutrition is a lifestyle of listening to your body and reaping the benefits both physically and mentally. “Food affects your mood, your digestive system, and your health later on in life,” says NourishMe’s co-founder Marissa Perry, who’s seen it all since entering the health and wellness industry in 2008.
We spoke to her recently and learnt that Marissa is a big believer in eating what makes your body feel good. She talked to us about simple ways that anyone can incorporate holistic eating into their lives:
1. Eat what feels good
Before you tap on your Grab app to get McDonald’s, consider whether your Spicy Chicken McDeluxe is making your body feel good, or just fixing a craving. “You can eat anything you want. It is how much you eat, how often you eat, and everything else you do for your body,” says Marissa.
While fast food -or any other processed food- can make you feel good in the moment, the bloat and rumbling stomach may not. Figure out food that gives you energy and makes you happy mood-wise, and eat that instead! Try out our healthy brownie crisps, maybe?
2. Build a strong foundation
What do you eat when you’re sick? Porridge, soup and plain tea come to mind; spicy foods do not! If we’re eating to heal our bodies when we’re sick, then we also should be eating to prevent sickness.
“There’s a lot on the internet, but eat to help your body through illness & prevent illness. If your foundation is good nutrition, your body will be better able to support you, and manage any illness a lot better,” says Marissa, while adding that people who are diagnosed with chronic illness should first consult their doctor before making changes to their diet.
3. Eat organic where you can
Pro tip for anyone thinking about how expensive this would be: buy local vegetables instead, like bok choy! Veggies from your local farmer’s market would probably not pump it with hormones.
In our IGTV session, Marissa said the most sustainable way to eat organically as a lifestyle is by finding a balance. “Try to eat well at home so that when you go out, you can afford a little bit of flexibility in the kinds of foods you eat.” Organic food isn’t necessarily your fancy spirulina, either- she reminds us that we don’t always need superfoods to be healthy.
In summary, holistic eating is a lifelong process. Start off the process by eating what feels good for your body, building a strong foundation in terms of nutrition, and eating organic where you can. You got this, #LIVLOLAFAM!
