As you scan your news feed every day there are 4 to 5 advertorials on diet trends. Some of them have elements of accuracy and so it’s easy for confusion to reign in one’s search to live and eat in a healthy way.
True Health Initiative (THI) is a global organization that exists to promote lifestyle as medicine. They believe that a unified voice for evidence-based, fundamental principles will rise above the din of “fake news”. They believe that a global consensus of 370+ experts will offer clarity and trust for individuals actively pursuing healthy, sustainable eating and living. Twitter: @truehealthinit
According to THI physicians, nutritionists, and health leaders agree on 6 core principles of healthy living. Your diet and lifestyle choices should align with these:
1) FORKS: A diet comprised mostly of minimally processed, generally plant-predominant foods in time honored, balanced combinations (e.g., traditional diets of certain Mediterranean populations, certain Asian populations, etc.). The preferred beverage for satisfying thirst in almost all situations is water.
2) FEET: Routine physical activity at moderate intensity, frequency, and duration.
3) FINGERS: The avoidance of toxins, particularly tobacco and excess alcohol.
4) SLEEP: Sleep adequate in both quantity and quality.
5) STRESS: The effective mitigation of psychological stress.
6) LOVE: The cultivation of meaningful, supportive relationships and strong social bonds.
What this does not say is meat, eggs, or fat is off limits or that nutrients like protein or carbohydrates are good or bad. It says – eat real food (not processed or mass produced) in a balanced way (moderation in all things). Eat more plants than you probably do right now. Drink a glass of wine, but don’t enjoy it to excess. Get a good night’s rest and love people.
If you like documentaries, check out: Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food on Netflix. It expands on many of the fundamentals of real food choices. Check out https://oldwayspt.org/ if you are interested in traditional diets around the world. And visit http://www.truehealthinitiative.org/ if you want to know more about THI.
FitWorth has always been on the right track and promoted two basic elements of a healthy living. Increase your fruit and vegetable consumption and increase your physical activity level. Family health will improve long term by successfully incorporating both of these healthy elements into your life.