Why Eating Plants Is Important
Why Eating Plants Is Important
I have written many times about the importance of getting more fruits and veggies into your body. You have heard me talk about the healing powers of plants. You have read how diseases can be reversed through diet and lifestyle changes. There is a reason I am so passionate about educating you on all of this. I CARE about you!
PHYTOCHEMICALS
They are the most prolific and powerful nutrients in food. Tens of thousands exist and give plants their color, taste and mojo.
Phytonutrients are an ergogenic, adaptogenic and epigenetic advantage. They are biotechnology at its finest.
Phytonutrients condition your physiology like cross fit training for your cellular function. Their impact comes from the great biochemical synergy produced by your body interacting with the tens of thousands of phytonutrients found in produce.
The compounding effect of phytonutrients gives your body a competitive advantage.This is what human performance looks like inside your body. It is sub-clinical, meaning most often you can't see it, touch it or feel it.
The compounding effect of daily training and conditioning elevates performance in sports, academics and art. The same effect occurs in your body through nutritional conditioning.
The compounding effect of phytonutrient conditioning elevates your game and takes you from Good to Great nutrition.
I recently watched the movie The Game Changers.
I posted on my facebook page to watch it. As with all topics, there is some controversy over it. I am not a vegan. I do eat meat, fish, and eggs on occasion. For me, the point in encouraging people to watch the movie is for you to understand how what you eat affects your body.
The movie uses science to show what happens in blood when plants are consumed vs meat consumption. The science is irrefutable even though the stories of the athletes may not be. Most claim to eat vegetarian, not vegan. Some actually still eat meat. The fact is that plants provide all the protein, calcium, amino acids, phytonutrients, and antioxidants our bodies need. We do not NEED to eat meat to fuel our bodies optimally.
I know for a fact, that changing my diet to mostly plant-based has helped me heal and recover from several ailments. My husband thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail (2200 miles) at the age of 67, finishing in 4 months, instead of the average 5-6 months. He is now, at 69, thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (2,653 miles). He has used concentrated plant powders to get his phytonutrients since fresh fruits and veggies are not an option when hiking. He is out hiking the 20-30 year olds on the trail, averaging 20-30 miles a day. He doesn’t take ibuprofen for inflammation and cramping, he eats more plant powders. And it works for him. When his supplies run low (due to lack of resupply locations) he definitely feels the difference!
I am not saying we should all go vegan. I AM saying we should all increase our intake of plants and decrease our intake of animal protein, refined sugars, and processed foods. If you are going to eat animal proteins, just be sure it is grass-fed, sustainable, not filled with hormones, antibiotics, chemicals, and artificial ingredients. Our guts will thank us for it! Our cardiovascular system will perform better. We will just feel better overall.
The bottom line is to eat pure, clean, whole foods that are not genetically modified or pumped full of chemicals and artificial ingredients. Buy fresh and local whenever you can. Eat LOTS of plants, at least half of your plate should be plants. If you do eat meat, be sure to chew it really well, about 30 times before swallowing it. Chewing helps stimulate the digestive juices as well as break down the hard to digest particles.
I could go on and on about the benefits of a mostly plant-based diet, but I have covered that before. I just really want you to understand WHY we need to eat more plants and HOW to get them. If you would like to know more in-depth science behind the reasons for eating more plants and what actually happens in our bodies, I have a couple of great video links I can share with you. CLICK HERE to request copies of those.