{"id":412,"date":"2023-02-14T22:16:45","date_gmt":"2023-02-15T05:16:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reliefsocietyactivityideas.com\/?p=412"},"modified":"2023-02-20T16:04:45","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T23:04:45","slug":"take-control-of-your-health-by-eating-a-rainbow-of-nutritious-colorful-whole-plant-foods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reliefsocietyactivityideas.com\/take-control-of-your-health-by-eating-a-rainbow-of-nutritious-colorful-whole-plant-foods\/","title":{"rendered":"Take Control of Eating for Your Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Eating for Health – <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Knowledge is Power.<\/strong> Below you will read about eating a variety of whole food plants and their nutritious colors that are made up of healthy chemical compounds. These help to fight disease and sickness and provide a basis for your healthy gut microbiome improving a better quality of life and immunity. Listen in on the latest reputable studies and fascinating new research being done. Also find activity ideas, recipes and links provided to create an action plan. Knowledge is great! When put into action, it becomes Power! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Story.<\/strong> I started being the most proactive about my health when I was a mom in my late 20\u2019s. I wanted to take control of my diet and increasing hormonal migraines.  Over the years, my health and migraines have negatively affected my life, often reflecting the stage in my life based on my central focus. I consider myself a migraine survivor.  That phrase may seem to take away the much earned meaning of being a cancer survivor, and it may hit at the heart for many of us, but, it does offer a glimpse of how difficult it can be to live with migraines as I have. Why do you want to be more healthy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Best Cure for Disease and Sickness<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As of now, there is no cure for migraines.  For many, there is no cure for cancer either. There is also limited help for living with disease and other extremes. However, there is something that each of us can do to decrease the likelihood of being affected by such difficult health problems and can increase survival rates of living with diseases and issues that decrease the quality or longevity of our lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nutrition\u2019s Dark Matter: The New Science of Eating<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

BBC The Food Program<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I often study the most recent research on health and diet through articles, news and podcasts by specialists and scientists.  This post is based off of a BBC podcast on The Food Program. Most of us have heard that we need to \u201ceat a rainbow\u201d and choose a variety of foods and colors in our diets to optimize the benefits we take into our bodies as we eat for our best health.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have also all heard about taking multi vitamins that include what we may not be getting enough of. There are also long aisles full of supplements that are shown to help with specific ailments.  This podcast episode takes us deeper into the why we benefit most from eating a variety of whole-food plants and the chemical makeup that is so important to gut health, and therefore, overall health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eating a variety of plants<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Eating a variety of chemicals and nutrients<\/strong> with the most benefits. Dark colors will typically supply the highest nutrient density a plant has to offer, having a higher concentration and variety of polyphenols. Berries with seeds offer another dense choice for the best defense chemicals. The saying \u201cthe bitter the better\u201d is true in terms of healthy properties as well.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eat a Rainbow of Colors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An easy way to get a variety of plants is to choose to eat a variety of colorful options. Choosing a vegetable or plant of the same kind, but in a different color, will also give different protecting agents in your diet for promoting a variety of healthy compound chemicals that benefit in additional ways. As I taught in my elementary school health class, \u201cEat a rainbow\u201d every day, and it\u2019s because different colors offer different advantages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Spinach, Broccoli, Strawberries, Blueberries, Almonds, Pecans, Coconut, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Poppy Seeds (in the dressing) and Avocado are all in this salad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

 <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Vitamins<\/strong> and Processed Foods <\/strong> Processed foods and vitamins or supplements are stripped of most of the many important and beneficial food chemicals from the original source of the whole plant. Supplements can give benefit as well but often is degraded and loses its potency in the process and storage. Fiber is lost in processing of these options which is needed for systems related to gut health. Offering the most benefit and advantages for health is eating 30 different whole-food plants in the spectrum of colors, fighting off diseases, improving the immune system, brain function and for whole-body health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gut Microbiomes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The newest research<\/strong> for health is in the gut microbiome and in all of the new chemicals being identified in foods. The studies suggest that gut health seems to positively compensate for many inherited DNA deficiencies. You CAN have control over your health regardless if you have inherited genetic challenges.  Of course there are other factors in being your healthiest, stronger immunity such as a healthy weight, exercising, limited alcohol use and not smoking, but a great advantage in eating a variety of plant foods has been strongly shown since Covid-19 broke out is related to the healthy gut microbiomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is easier than you think<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Add Mix-Ins<\/strong>  It’s easier than you might think to add more variety of plants in your diet. Start thinking about adding multiple varieties, creating mix-ins or toppings with a blend of seeds, berries and nuts.  Add spice mixes to your regular recipes and salads, as well as a mixed vegetable with a few different kinds and colors for the side dish instead of just one vegetable with the main course as the traditional fare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Make your own mixed toppings or snacks or buy some of the great options available<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n