4 Facts Everyone Should Know About Food

1. Everyone needs food
You might think this is a given. What I actually mean, is that everyone needs real, unprocessed, nutrient-dense foods. This does not include packaged, processed, sugar- and chemical-loaded ready-made meals. Our bodies have not evolved as fast as the food industry and therefore are not able to process and use those altered foods. In order to stay healthy and absorb a maximum of nutrients, food needs to be fresh, preferably organic and unprocessed. 

2. Food is not what is was 
Suffering from food intolerances myself and noticing more and more people developing allergies, made me see the connection between intolerances and modified food. Over the past decades the demand of certain foods like soy, wheat and corn increased and farmers struggle to keep up. They use pesticides, herbicides and fungicides to minimize crop loss and turn to genetically modified foods that promise a bigger and better harvest. Our bodies are not designed and not able to recognize altered crops and as a result, the body will trigger an immune response to get rid of the perceived ‘invader’ when absorbed into the bloodstream. To minimize this inflammation and stress on the body, it is important to check labels for GMO foods and stay clear of mass-produced food. Rather, visit a local farmers market or support small companies. This is not only better for your body but for your environment and community.

3. Too much of a good thing can be bad
Everyone has heard of “superfoods”. Kale, chia seeds, quinoa, certain berries... and the list goes on. Yes, they are all great but always in moderation. Just because a study found out that kale has amazing healing properties, it doesn’t mean that we should only eat kale from now on. Our body is designed to eat a variety of foods and needs all the variety it can get. No single food could possibly contain all the nutrients necessary to keep us alive which means that if we only focus on one food, we might end up with a deficiency sooner or later. One example of how a good thing can go bad is kale. It contains oxalic acid which is involved in the formation of kidney stones, therefore eating too much raw kale could promote stones. In moderation, however, the body is able to deal with oxalic acid just fine. 
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4. Food can prevent or promote disease
Food is more powerful than most people give credit for. Several studies have shown that with the right diet and exercise, people can grow old and stay active until a very high age (Mediterranean Diet). However, one example of how food promotes disease is the intake of sugar and a high consumption of trans-fats. Once introduced, health issues like diabetes and heart disease occurred more frequently. 
To sum it up: you hold your health in your own hands. It is up to you what you chose to put into your body and there is no special diet required. Make sure to eat a variety of fresh, clean, unprocessed local foods and listen to your body!