The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 90% of the nation’s annual
health-care expenditures go toward chronic mental and physical conditions. Many of these diseases
are linked to the SAD (Standard American Diet), meaning most—if not all—of the conditions affecting
the nation’s citizens are preventable.
The saying “you are what you eat” is not just a cliché; it is a fact. Every 30 days, the body generates
new cells using the nutrients—or lack thereof—from the foods we have consumed over the previous
month. Live, electric, whole foods provide the vitamins and minerals our bodies need to perform at their
highest level, while junk foods do the exact opposite.
Grocery shopping can be challenging, especially for larger families with different tastes and
preferences. So where do you start?
First, local fresh produce is always the best option. That means growing your own food when possible
or visiting local farmers markets and getting to know your farmers. Many also raise chickens, goats,
and sheep, providing additional access to fresh, whole foods.
Second, when shopping in grocery stores, your best chance of finding real food—not food products—is
by sticking to the outer perimeter of the store. This is where you’ll find Produce, Seafood, Meat, and
Bakery. The inner aisles are mainly for grains, cereals, and packaged products. Be mindful that
prepackaged foods are often high in sodium and processed sweeteners, contributing to many of the
nation’s chronic illnesses.
Understand this: the system is designed this way. It’s not your fault, but it is your responsibility to
protect yourself and your family and to take ownership of your health. The body is a temple, and we are
the priests and priestesses responsible for its care. Most corporations prioritize profit over people, and
placing our health fully in their hands is, in my opinion, unwise.
Doctors and nurses are essential, but the medical system itself is deeply flawed and heavily driven by
profit. A key part of the Hippocratic Oath is “to do no harm,” yet the U.S. medical system routinely
harms those it is meant to heal.
This is why we must become our own health-care system by practicing preventive maintenance. “An
apple a day keeps the doctor away.” “Beans, beans, good for your heart…” “Let thy food be thy
medicine.” These should be seen not just as sayings or jokes—though some are funny—but as life
lessons to be passed down through each generation.
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