The Importance of a Diverse Diet
September 5, 2019
I was shocked and not shocked all at the same time when I read this article. It is about a young teenage boy who was a “picky eater” who went blind due to poor diet and nutrient deficiencies. Here is an excerpt.
“Two years after that, he was 17 and legally blind. That’s when they discovered a severe vitamin B12 deficiency, low copper and selenium levels, high zinc levels and “markedly reduced” vitamin D and bone mineral density, the researchers said.
He revealed that his diet consisted mainly of Pringles, French fries, white bread and occasionally some processed meats like ham and sausage.”
We know that our bodies and our minds need a diverse diet full of nutrient dense foods to enjoy optimal health.
We are also learning more and more about how diet diversity or lack of diversity affects our microbiome and therefore our gut and our brains.
I mention all of this because if you eat the same five foods all the time ( I am kinda joking but you know what I mean ) or you are a parent of a picky eater I want to encourage you to think about the importance of a diverse diet for optimal health.
5 Ways to add Nutrients and Diversity to your Diet
- A nutrient dense smoothie is a great way to take in a lot nutrients and fiber that is easy digest and tastes great. Contact me if you want my Ultimate Protien Shake Recipe.
- High quality supplementation is another way to fill in the gaps. If you are your child struggles with swallowing pills, there are lots of liquid options and chewables that taste good that can provide those nutrients. As an example I don’t eat red meat or seaweed, so I fill in by taking all the B’s, B12, and Minerals from high quality supplementation.
- Kids watch what their parents eat. I am betting that the parents of the child in this article did not consume a diet that was rich in phytonutrients. If you want to encourage healthy eating habits in your children then make it a family affair and start early.
- If you or your child struggles with digestive issues or food allergies then healing the gut and re-seeding with good probiotics might be where you start first.
- Don’t give up. I have also included an excerpt from one of my favorite podcasts. It is about Jason Karp and how he had reversed his failing eyesight by changing the way he approached his nutrition and the way he dealt with stress. Click the link above to listen.
Food is Medicine for the Body.
The bottom line is that a variety of nutrient dense foods is medicine for the body.
A diet filled with empty calories over a period of time can lead to devastating consequences.
If you feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start on the journey to better health or you have a child who is a picky eater don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
We can help.
Have a healthy week and if your have let you health goals slip over the summer, jump back on the bandwagon and finish the year strong !!!
Dr Pia
