Opinion
Don’t be surprised if your poor eating habits turn you into a slob
- Details
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09 Jun 2011
- Written by Tri-State Defender Newsroom
Dr. Timothy Moore |
You don’t have to convince me that life is important. Try facing a serious health challenge and see how important life is to you. In most cases, we deal with whatever happens to us. But then we look for excuses when we can alleviate them by doing the right thing.
Question: What is so hard about giving up foods that might taste good but contribute to poor health and catastrophic diseases?
Maybe it’s the wait-and-see attitude, or “I have to die from something.” Some people would even say, “If the Lord made it, I can eat it.”
That’s hogwash and inexcusable behavior. One out of three Americans is obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The root of the problem is that many of us consume food that is high in fat and calories. Then we don’t exercise to rid our body of excessive weight.
We have become a nation of people with exorbitant appetites, which is not good based on the high cost of health care in this country. Consider the more than $2.3 trillion dollars spent per year on health care – and the cost is rising rapidly, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
What happened to just plan common sense?
I’ll tell you. For many of us, it’s lost in fast food restaurants, which have grown to more than 160,000 in the United States and patronized by 50 million people daily, according to the web site numberof.net.
When it comes to food choices, it may be difficult for some people to make a decision to eat healthy. But don’t sweat it. You can do it. But let me ask you this: Are you afraid to switch to a diet that’s nutritious as well as tasty? I think it’s those green vegetables that you are afraid of because of all the health benefits they provide.
It’s still cool to eat healthy even though it’s hot and the temperature is still climbing. Even so, veggies are great for regulating the body temperature and keeping it under control. They’re full of water, you know, which our bodies need to function properly.
What can we drink to stay cool this summer that’s refreshing and good? Try a watermelon smoothie with ice mixed in a blender. It’s a cool refreshing drink. And if watermelon is not your choice, any water fruit will do just fine. Just limit your intake of drinks that are full of sugar and drink plenty of water. Nothing replaces water; that’s a fact.
If you are exercising, do it early before the temperature rises or late in the afternoon. Then listen to your body for signs to rest. Don’t believe the hype of “no pain, no gain.” Your body knows. Always check your clothing and wear the proper walking shoes and running shoes. But don’t forget to pre-warm up and cool down.
Eating small meals throughout the day will keep your energy level at an even pace. A green salad twice a day will keep the doctor away, and you away from the doctor. It’s full of life and energy. So it’s your choice if you hope to live a long life full of happiness.
Some people are uncomfortable with change. You’d be surprised if I told you that I met a woman who was eating a package of bacon, a roll of sausages, a dozen eggs, a half a gallon of milk or juice, a loaf of toasted bread, and nearly a half jar of grape jam every morning.
You don’t believe me? It’s true. I discussed with her some ways she could change her diet and lose weight. She has to. I could feel her pain because she has not been able to enjoy life. She said she had grown accustom to eating this way for 40-plus years.
Just like a baby, she has to take the first step.
(Dr. Timothy Moore teaches nutrition, heart disease and diabetes reversal through a plant-based lifestyle. He is a professional speaker, wellness coach and personal plant-based chef. He can be reached by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit him on the Web sites at http://www.cheftimothymoore.com or http://www.twitter.com/cheftimmoore.)
