Holistic Nutrition

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced."

First of all: Why is Nutrition Important?

We are what we eat. Nutrition is important to every area of human life – it is our fuel. The foods we eat and our ability to digest them properly are at the foundation of our beings. In the absence of quality nourishment good health gives way to disease, brain function diminishes, and our joy of life fades away.

Nutrition becomes crucial as we consider the toxic environment we live in today. In today’s world we are faced with a burden that humans have not met before. In order to cope with the daily toxic load, it is essential to eat foods that will provide clean sources of fuel without further harming the body. Whole, organic, seasonal foods offer a significant amount of nutrients not found in foods that have been processed, denatured or genetically engineered. Knowing what to eat and what not to eat is becoming more important each day, as we continue to live in a stressful, toxic world.

What is Holistic Nutrition?



By definition, holistic nutrition, and by expansion, a holistic health approach, strives to bring balance to all aspects of a human being: physical, mental and emotional. The holistic view sees the human body as a whole unit with intricate systems that depend on one another to operate optimally and efficiently. At a fundamental level, holistic nutrition focuses on the biochemistry of the human body, and recognizes the importance of creating balance where imbalances exist.

Holistic nutrition uses various combinations of food and nutrients to help individuals achieve optimal mental, physical and emotional health. It can be used as a preventative health approach for the average person without any ailments or as a modality for healing or symptom management for people living with chronic illness or other medical conditions.

Food is the foundation of holistic nutrition. With an emphasis on quality ingredients, the holistic diet consists of organic, whole foods that are grown locally and enjoyed in-season. A key element of holistic eating is to incorporate foods that are nutrient-dense while avoiding foods that have been depleted of their nutrient content, such as processed foods or foods that have been degraded during growth and/or preparation.

Diet and nutrition have a profound impact on mental and physical health. The wrong food and lack of balanced nutrients can lead to many debilitating psychological and physical symptoms and degenerative health conditions. Holistic nutrition also recognizes that diversity among the population is as important as diversity in the diet. It takes into account a person’s heritage and biochemical individuality to formulate the optimal diet.

The Basics of Holistic Nutrition

Although holistic nutrition is largely individualized, there are some basics that apply to all individuals who wish to follow a holistic nutritional plan. They include the following:

• Eat whole foods in their natural state as much as possible.
• All food should be organic as much as possible.
• Avoid junk food and processed food.
• No food with additives and preservatives.
• Drink adequate amounts of pure water. Filtered and free of chlorine and other contaminants.
• Avoid microwaves.
• No genetically engineered food.
• Address nutritional deficiencies.