Is it really that simple?
People in our society make choices about their health every day. Whether they exercise today, eat right or not, these are all choices. For the longest time I used to think that people really knew what the right thing to do was but they just chose not to do it. Although I know that this is true for some, I honestly now understand many people just don’t know.
I believe everyone old enough to think rationally knows that a cheeseburger and fries with a soda at your favorite fast food chain is not as healthy as eating a fresh salad full of vegetables. However, talking to people about how bad their food choices are is another story. People buy into the advertising and misleading marketing ploys of food manufacturers and really think what they are doing isn’t that bad for them. With our patients we will often have them keep a food diary for a few days and then assess areas of concern. I had a consultation with a newer patient last week and out of the 12 meals she wrote down over 5 days, 11 were either processed and/or prepackaged food. She told me these things were convenient for her and due to her hectic schedule it was hard for her to do much different.
My patient felt she was making good choices because she was was eating things that said stuff like: healthy choice, no fat, natural and low calorie. While there are foods that occur in nature that are all of those things above, when you eat cookies that are fat free, you can bet there is something that is not right with that recipe. People need to realize that our bodies were designed to take in whole foods, absorb the nutrients and build strong healthy cells. When you feed your body “food-like things”, you don’t end up building a strong body.
We are seeing our children develop the diseases of old people right in front of our eyes. Diabetes, cancer, heart disease, arthritis and depression just to name a few. Medicine has an answer to these problems: “let’s give them metformin for diabetes, chemo/radiation for cancer, lipitor for heart disease (starting at age 8), some NSAID for the arthritis and daily prozac for all children.” We can replace a daily multi-vitamin for these instead. Maybe the drug companies can make them cool shapes and colors so the kids will really like them. They have a pill for every ill you know.
I have a better idea, see which one you think is better. First let’s make sure our children’s nervous systems are functioning well. We know that if we cut or damage nerve cells, then tissues, organs and individuals die. Research has proven this since 1921. To give our kids their best chance to develop and live to their potential, it starts here.
Second, our kids need to get off all the junk food (aka Kid Food) that is filled with chemicals, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup and many other anti-nutrients. Children are building bodies that they need to use in the future. Would you want a body made up of cells made from your favorite fast food place or a body full of cells made from high quality whole food nutrients? People wonder why the diseases of the “old” are being seen in the “young” and the answer is clear.
Third, our kids need to move. The computer/game age is having a terribly negative effect on the physical and emotional health of people. If you don’t want overweight kids don’t allow them to sit for hours in front of the TV or computer. Kids are supposed to play alone as well as with others. A very important social and emotional development occurs when kids play and interact with each other.
Finally, kids need to be encouraged to be problem solvers and develop emotional maturity along with their physical growth. Computerized interactions do not allow children to develop at a level that teaches them how to live in the real world. Many studies have been done to show that although the IQ of many of these kids is increasing, the EQ or emotional development is falling further and further behind. The result is smart kids that have no ability to interact with others, no ability to cope with problems and no ability to problem solve life issues. What do we do with these people? Give them ADD drugs, anti-depressants, bi-polar and anti-psychotic medications. When you are not able to cope properly on your own the drugs can try to do it for you.
I am not a weak person! Either are you! Stand up and take control of your life. As an adult you are the only person responsible for this. If you have children then be the best role model you can for them. Encourage them, support them, keep positive attitudes and affirmations but DON”T LIVE FOR THEM! They need to figure life out on their own with your guidance!
I look forward to leading 1000’s of people to better health today and in the future.
Be well,
Dr. Tim