Holistic nutrition is one of the fundamentals of a holistic lifestyle and is a natural way to approach diet and nutrition. Evidence-based studies are used to improve health with proper nutrition.
Whether you work with a holistic nutritionist, or prefer to DIY it, you must look at your medical history, lifestyle habits, and emotional health and factor these into your diet plan. The goal of holistic nutrition is to educate and empower people towards better all-around health through the benefits of healthy nutrition.
What ‘Holistic Nutritious’ Foods Do You Eat?
Holistic nutrition helps the body function at its best by feeding it with ‘SOUL’ foods. The acronym ‘SOUL’ stands for Seasonal, Organic, Unprocessed, and Local. Therefore, if you want to adhere to holistic nutrition and reap its many benefits, you can expect to eat more whole, unprocessed, organic, and locally sourced foods.
There is an importance on eating whole and organic foods because they are heftier in terms of nutritional content, and they are less likely to (or ideally shouldn’t) contain any chemicals or preservatives.
This is one of the reasons why sourcing locally is an integral part of holistic nutrition. You can personally ask the growers or sellers if the purchased goods, such as fruits and vegetables, have come fresh off the farm, and if they have been grown organically. But this may be challenging for some people, depending on where you live. You can check out farmer’s markets or vegetable stands or shop at the nearest grocery store that promotes organic, natural, and/or healthy growing practices.
If they have been grown organically, it means there haven’t been any health-inhibiting chemicals applied at any time.
Whole, Unprocessed Foods
The nutrients obtained from eating whole and unprocessed foods helps ensure the optimal processing of vital body functions. Holistic nutrition emphasizes the consumption of foods that are excellent sources of macronutrients, including fats, protein, and carbohydrates.
Foods rich in micronutrients are also an essential part of holistic nutrition. These micronutrients play a crucial role in the body’s ability to produce and synthesize proteins, enzymes, and hormones.
Holistic Nutrition for People with Illness
Holistic nutrition is not about engaging in treating disease or illness. The focus is on utilizing nutrition to make the mind and body stronger, more vital, and more resistant to illness and disease. This helps could even help a person overcome any existing conditions and symptoms and buffers them against future health problems.
When it comes to holistic nutrition, there is always an emphasis on education regarding the role of better nutrition and the modification of certain lifestyle habits that inhibit optimum health.