When did you first realize that nutrition is essential to health?

 

The importance of maintaining good nutrition is not something we are born knowing. We may have intuitions or inclinations toward certain foods when we lack a particular nutrient, but for the most part, we learn about nutrition and what we need to maintain good health. Some people know this at a young age and can use that knowledge to make informed decisions about food and health. Others may come to this realization a bit later in life. Either way, what you know now is what is vital for today.

 

We can't change what we've done before, but we can change what we do today and tomorrow. Food holds the power to nourish and heal but also holds the power to sicken us slowly. Consider for a moment your average soda consumption. With the potential consequences in mind, it is worth reflecting on habitual and even occasional soda consumption. On average, individuals in the United States tend to consume approximately 5,158 ounces (or 40 gallons) of soda annually. Obviously, not everyone drinks soda, so that amount is probably considerably higher for those who do. It's estimated that half of Americans drink soda daily. That's a LOT of additional sugar or artificial sweeteners. But there are other places sugar is added. There are at least 65 alternative names for sugar. Added sugars are one of the most common ingredients in processed foods. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 36 grams of sugar daily for men and 25 grams for women. If we're not paying close attention, we can easily exceed those numbers every day by 2-3 times, especially if our diet consists of processed foods.

 

The solution is a simple one:

1) know the ingredients in your food.

2) know who raised it or, in the case of processed foods. who manufactured it.

3) know how your food was raised or the processes involved in manufacturing it.

4) eat food that is as close to nature as possible with as few ingredients as possible.

5) teach your children and grandchildren the importance of good food and nutrition.

 

Our Kids' Picks category is on sale this week through Saturday and is the perfect starting point for healthy staples for your entire family. We offer 20+ Grass-fed and Pasture-raised cuts at 15% OFF, and our Weekly Sale Items are currently up to 20% OFF!