Guest Author - Colleen Forgus
“Your body is designed to be healthy – it wants to be healthy.” - Hungry for Change
I recently viewed “Hungry for Change” – an inspiring documentary from the makers of “Food Matters”. In fact, I loved it so much - I watched it twice!
Several doctors, nutritionists, authors and diet experts are interviewed throughout the film regarding food choices, diets, nutrition and sugar. As a proponent of making conscious, healthy, food decisions, this movie was like a religious experience for me. I found myself talking back to the screen with my own version of “Amen!”
The first topic the movie addresses is diets and their high failure rates. At any point in time, one third of all women and one fourth of all men are on a diet. And, sadly, two thirds of those on a diet end up regaining all of the lost weight and more.
Consider these highlights:
• We are not eating food anymore; we are eating food like products.
• The average American consumes more than 150 pounds of sugar or sugar substitutes a year - which breaks down to 22 teaspoons of sugar per day.
• Sugar makes you fat – not fat.
• Many people are overfed and starving to death.
• No matter how many calories you eat – if you are not getting the proper nutrition, you will stay hungry.
Amen! I completely subscribe to every one of these statements. A calorie is not a calorie, and when we consume food that is devoid of the healthy, nutritious calories we need, our bodies keep craving food in hopes of getting the right food. As the movie states, high calorie foods are low in nutrition value and low calorie foods are high in nutritive value. That is not a new concept, but one that is always worth repeating.
“Hungry for Change” addresses the fact that food manufacturers make money by creating processed food that people want to eat. MSG, sugar, artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, unhealthy fats, artificial flavors and convenience are some of the tools in their arsenal.
And, for those who think fat free is the answer, consider that fat free foods are loaded with sugar, which causes a spike in insulin levels, which in turn causes weight gain. Eating low fat or unhealthy fats, such as soybean, canola and corn oils, does not allow the body to feel satiated – instead in continues to crave more food.
Making an active, conscious decision to incorporate more of the healthy food choices in your diet may be more productive than telling yourself what you cannot have. One expert spoke about dieting this way, “Instead of saying ‘I want that but I CAN’T have it.’ Try, ‘I can have it but I don’t want it.’ When you add in the good foods – you will no longer want the bad stuff.”
Avoid the man made foods, shop the perimeter of the grocery store, and recognize that the good foods full of vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and zero chemicals are what your body is really craving.
Toxins and chemicals in the food we are eating also contribute to weight gain. When the body is overloaded with chemicals, it protects the organs by creating fat to store the toxins. When chemicals and toxins are no longer being introduced into the body through unhealthy food choices, the body has the opportunity to detox and the fat will disappear.
Incorporating more vegetables and fruits, preferably organic, will help the body detox. If you are able, consider juicing. I juice and can attest to the tremendous benefits of flooding the body with nutritious, healthy juice.
Dr. Christiane Northrup says, “when you take care of yourself, you realize your are precious – you want to love yourself and love others.” She suggests a daily affirmation, “I accept myself unconditionally right now.”
You are important! I strongly suggest watching “Hungry for Change” to educate and inspire you. No matter how healthy your diet is now, there is always room for improvement and affirmation of the positive choices you are making each day.
The closing line of the movie says it all, “Your body is designed to be healthy. It wants to be healthy.”
I viewed “Hungry for Change” during free promotional period in the month of March. I was not compensated in any way to review this movie. http://www.hungryforchange.tv/
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