Taste or Health? (Part 1)

Written by Tanny PC

Have you ever wondered why we feel so energetic and satiated after nibbling on a plate full of green veggies (or a bowl of colorful fruits)? And, on the contrary, why do we experience fatigue, drowsiness, and lethargy after gobbling down a cheesy hamburger?

Well, the simple answer to these questions is that ‘our food choices help our body’s microbiome to function and provide nourishment for an active lifestyle.’

How Do Our Good Food Choices Navigate Us Toward an Active Lifestyle?

Earth, the only livable planet in the Universe, is home to diverse and bountiful natural resources. Each nibble of food from our plate involves a tiny bite of the Earth’s resources, without which our survival on this planet is impossible. So, what sort of food choices can our planet realistically support? How to invest in planetary health for sustainable living for generations to come?

Nutritious (plant-based) food is the essence of our survival. And a healthy lifestyle is the key to an active life. They are like ‘two peas in a pod’ responsible for rejuvenating and replenishing our body with all potential means for survival.

Researchers have concluded that whole-

food plant food choices are a pathway to correlate us with Nature’s bountiful resources. It is simple, sustainable, and nutritious. What else do we want? After all, there must be a reason why Earth has such rich and diverse natural resources, right?

The global population on this planet follows various food cultures and relishes different kinds of food to satiate their taste buds and hungry bellies. While choosing a wholesome, nutritarian, and hearty meal, we should be cognizant of our health and environment. So what makes our food choices sustainable to lead an active lifestyle? I believe, “The more complicated a recipe is, the lesser the chance of it being sustainable.” Nutrition experts say that if a particular food requires a prolonged cooking time, it surely loses its healthy and essential nutrients.

The health-conscious population consumes a wholesome, nutritarian diet comprising fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and legumes. These plant-based foods contain valuable phytochemicals and antioxidants, which are necessary for the utmost vigor and vitality of our body. They are loaded with carbohydrates, fats, proteins, fibers, vitamins, and minerals. These foods work as a charm to establish excellent nutrient intake in our body without excess calories to help prolong the human life span, decrease the risk of cancer, and keep the brain functioning well for many years (Am J Lifestyle Med). They also provide nourishment, boost our metabolism, improve our gut health, uplift our mood, and make us feel happy, satisfied, and full.

According to UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), a ‘sustainable, healthy diet’ is a food system that provides food security and nutrition for all consumers without compromising the economic, social, and environmental bases to generate food security and nutrition for future generations. That means these food choices are economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable.

Eating a healthy and nutritious diet is like doing ‘Yoga’ - a long-term commitment that we make to our body for its well-being. Adequate exercise and rest are the other vital necessities for a disease-free, active lifestyle. Bonding ourselves with nature means involving in some outdoor, physical activities (such as exercising, gardening, playing outdoor games, and so on) that can dramatically improve our brain function and make us tired to fall asleep sooner and longer.

To counteract, replenish, and save our only ‘Home - Earth’ for the present and future generations, agricultural researchers are developing many new practical theories to improve the productivity and capacity of the soil, increase the sustainability of field crops, and enhance biodiversity. Some of these theories involve ‘Food Forestry' and ‘Permaculture.’ So, read on to know more!

“To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art.” (François de la Rochefoucauld - French author)