The 2 Most Important Food Rules

January 16, 2012

This is getting down to the basics, people. These two food rules apply to every single person in the world. I don’t care if you call yourself gluten-free, vegetarian, paleo, GAPS, vegan (which isn’t actually healthy – more on that later), locavore, primal, or omnivore.

These are the two MOST IMPORTANT food rules.

It all boils down to this.

Every single person in the world can start with these two rules as a basis for eating healthy.

1. Eat Real Food.

Here’s the thing. Way too much of what we call food and insert into our mouth to swallow isn’t actually food! It’s been mangled and processed in a lab or a factory to the point that you can’t even call it food anymore.

Sure, you can debate the finer points of this argument until the cows come home. Is (fill in the blank) considered a real food because of (fill in the blank) or in spite of (fill in the blank)? What about (fill in the blank) or (fill in the blank again)? Those things aren’t technically (fill in the blankety blank). (What a fun game, don’t you think?!)

But for real, people. Get a grip. Use common sense.

You know what I mean. If you can make this one change for at least 75-80% of your diet, you’re light years ahead of the rest of the country who are falling for those badly disguised marketing tactics (Lucky Charms are healthy because they have whole grains? Fruity Pebbles are healthy because they have antioxidants? Are you freaking kidding me?)

Let’s look at another example or two:

An apple = real food.
Apple flavored fruit roll-up = not real food.

An orange = real food.
Packaged, pasteurized, sugar- and chemical-filled orange juice = not real food.

Another way to check for real food or fake is to read the ingredients list on any packaged food (do this for EVERYTHING you buy that comes in a package). If it contains more than 5 ingredients, it’s probably not real food. If you have trouble pronouncing one or more of the ingredients, it’s probably not real food. If you detect the presence of colors with numbers after them (blue-5, yellow-3), it’s not real food.

Stick to food that is as unadulterated as possible. Shop along the outside edges of the grocery store, not the aisles. Even better, find local farmers, farmer’s markets, or co-ops and support them. Your food will be even more real that way.

2. Listen to your body.

This is a huge one for me. I get so fed up hearing about the latest nutritional fad – even within the ‘real food’ world. Only eat fruit in the morning. Don’t combine this food with that. Don’t eat gluten, it’s from the devil. Figure out your metabolic type so you can eat the right foods. Get tested and eat right for your blood type.

I just don’t honestly believe that God meant for us to have to know our blood type in order to eat healthy.

photo credit: Kathleen

But before you say, “It worked for me!” Or “It worked for my aunt’s co-worker’s boyfriend!” Allow me to say this: Yes, these types of fad diets do work for some people. Why is that? Well, everyone’s body is different. And everyone has different issues that need to be worked out nutritionally.

It could also be that a specific fad diet worked for you simply because you started eating more real, whole, nutrient dense foods with the new diet as opposed to the fast food and packaged stuff you were eating before.

This is why it’s huge to listen to your body. Here’s a big tip: start a food journal. Grab a notebook and write down everything you eat in the day, what time of day you eat, how your body feels before, during, and after eating. Include any external factors like stress, exercise, what part of your menstrual cycle you’re in (provided you’re a female, of course), and if you’re traveling.

Start to notice patterns. If you realize that your stomach was queasy on the same days that you drank milk with your grilled cheese sandwich, try eliminating dairy from your diet for a week or two. Keep listening to your body. Are you still queasy? When do you have the most energy? Is there any correlation between your breakfast and your energy levels (or lack thereof) for the day? Your body will tell you what it needs if only you know how to listen.

Be aware that if you are switching from the SAD (Standard American Diet) to a diet of real food, you will most likely experience some withdrawal or detox symptoms. But don’t worry, they won’t last forever! Rome wasn’t built in a day, and sometimes you do have to get worse before you can get better. Detoxing isn’t always pretty, but it’s worth it. Once you start the process, you realize just how toxic you actually were. Note these things in your food journal.

Taking it Further

So I guess here is where I have to insert that cute little disclaimer that says I’m not a medical professional or licensed nutritionist, so take this post into consideration at your own risk. (Of course, I would even prefer you did that even with the advice of medical professionals, who are required to study little to no nutrition in med school).

But do realize that these two food rules are just a launching pad. It may be all you need to know. So don’t stress yourself out with the latest nutritional fad diet. Or you may still be dealing with symptoms that won’t go away or excess weight that won’t come off. Start by eating real food and listening to your body. Then branch out from there. Educate yourself on issues like gut health and balancing your hormones. Consider getting tested for food allergies by a holistic doctor.

But never leave these two food rules behind. I’m convinced they are the cornerstones for healthy eating.

What are your biggest recommendations or tips for eating well?

This post is linked to Fat Tuesday

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Rasul
January 17, 2012 at 12:22 am

Finally, somebody said it….(smile). I’ve been studying nutrition for years and I know that this amazing is self regulating when given the right raw materials. You have a great sense of humor in bringing across the truth. Thanks.
1. Lori Winter
  January 20, 2012 at 1:54 pm
  
  Thanks Rasul! Good to know I’m not the only one laughing ;)
Audrey
January 17, 2012 at 12:38 pm

Great post, Lori! :) It’s such good, practical and non-overwhelming advice.
Sara Shay @ YourThrivingFamily
January 17, 2012 at 2:06 pm

Thanks for this! I have been trying to get our family to transition over. For the most part my husband doesn’t care as long as it tasted good. But this is a great – short – post that I hope he will read! And some good reminders for me.
1. Lori Winter
  January 20, 2012 at 1:55 pm
  
  Hope this helps out! Short, sweet, and to the point :)
Chris Antenucci
January 18, 2012 at 1:19 am

I’ve said these things to people so much, I swear I felt like I wrote this. You make really good points, especially about doctors not getting any nutrition in med school. Funny how they’re supposed to restore us to health but don’t know anything about the main thing that can do that- food. How far they’ve come from Hippocrates who advocated for using “Food as thy medicine and medicine as thy food”. I’ve been studying gut health and the immune system extensively for years after I developed leaky gut and food allergies. I found that the vast majority of doctors aren’t taught anything about these problems and aren’t interested in learning about them. We often have to be our own doctors these days and your post describes the two main principles we should follow to do that. So many of us don’t take time to listen to our bodies cause we’re so rushed and busy all the time that we don’t even have or wanna take that time. It requires a change in lifestyle and mindset, of reflecting not just on our health but on our spiritual lives. We have to step back and figure out who we are and where we’re going in our lives with our diet, our mental/emotional state, and our spirit. Nobody ever said it’d be easy, but it’s worth it in the end cause it’s the only way we find inner peace and happiness.
1. Lori Winter
  January 20, 2012 at 1:55 pm
  
  Amen! Love it!
2. Hanna
  April 14, 2012 at 5:27 pm
  
  Hi, just thought Id let you know that not all doctors are like that.
  My local doctor not only encourges people to eat right he will refer you to a dietitation if he thinks thats part of the problem (and will also recommend natural remedies if you ask!)
Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking
January 18, 2012 at 9:48 pm

Oh what an AWESOME post!! I so agree!
lo2043
January 18, 2012 at 11:45 pm

I agree with everything said here except that being Vegan isn’t healthy. I didn’t see anything about that later in the article, as promised. However, I would like to say that being vegan is good for the earth and for us, and especially for other animals. There is absolutely no need whatsoever for us to eat animal products.
1. Lori Winter
  January 20, 2012 at 1:56 pm
  
  Sorry for any confusion! By ‘later’ I meant ‘in another post.’ :)
judi
January 20, 2012 at 9:01 am

hi lori,
i found you via “a little bit of Spain in Iowa” mayo recipe comment and SO glad i did. i have been on a quest for eating healthier for over 6 years. i first cut out sugar, followed by anything white (flour, rice, etc.) in my diet. and have since changed our family’s diet by eating mostly whole, real food. i must say it is difficult when traveling or visiting family as this does a number on the digestive system but we try to be as choosy as possible and take along what we can that will get us by. this post is perfect for those starting out and i wholeheartedly agree that these are the 2 most important steps to take.
your blog is wonderful, keep up the quest for true health and spreading the information that we all so desperately need.
judi
1. Lori Winter
  January 20, 2012 at 2:01 pm
  
  Judi-it’s so great to connect with you! I’m glad you found Laurel of Leaves :) Way to go on all the diet and lifestyle changes you’ve made! Don’t you feel about million times better, too? My husband and I eat plenty of ‘vacation’ meals when we travel to visit family as well, but it does serve to keep the immune and digestive systems on their toes! ;)
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January 23, 2012 at 7:44 am

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Molly
May 2, 2013 at 11:14 pm

Lori,
Wow, what a beautiful blog. I am so enjoying reading all your posts and am glad I found it.
I’m only 21 but have such a long sad history with food and I have been struggling for years to leave these issues behind. I know in my heart that the Lord created us to be pure and free and simple and healthy and so thank you for refreshing me to get back to this point.
Please pray for my journey :)
Nicole
June 30, 2013 at 1:31 pm

Omigosh… You are awesome!! I’m a bit of a health freak, and I’m a bit OCD with processed food. I also never anything that is not natural onto my face or stomach. You’re blog is absolutely amazing and has shot up to my no.1 favorite blog, with all the music and other health blogs tagging behind.
I just wanted to say how awesome I think you are.
I also wanted to ask you if you’ve heard of a Korean Spa, which in a way is like cleansing your skin by getting rid of your old skin. I don’t know if you’ve already written about it seeing as I’m a newby to this blog. Also, I currently have honey on my face :P
Toniko
November 12, 2013 at 11:01 pm

I Love this! ! ! ! !
Just saw on tv last week a lady saying she started to weigh herself every day, do some sort of at home urine test to determine her carbs or something? (she did not have the typical medical reason/need for them she said), and cut her carbs down to under 25 then laughed and said you know an apple has 25 carbs in it…YIKES

Your method rocks :) Being healthy is so important unfortunately so many diets are making some people deficient in things they actually do need.