Nutrition Simplicity

Too good to be true right? When I think about nutrition, the biggest barriers mentally are time and expectations. For the most part, people know what’s healthy, they just choose otherwise because of convenience or overwhelmed.

Here’s the truth:

We need to plan.

We need to keep it simple.

Mindset:

Meal prep is so important.

I’m not even talking pre-cooked meals for the week.

What I’m talking about is that you have what you need, you know WHAT you are making, and you know WHEN you’re making it!

The next obstacle to overcome is the need for the extravagant. Sometimes we feel like if we can’t produce a great recipe or a 3 course meal then why even try?! Meals can be and should be simple. The likely-hood of consistency goes way up! There is nothing wrong with a protein and a veggie driven meal. Simple is key.

The Application: 3 key steps (for 30 days)

Inflammation Elimination

-Eliminate all grains, dairy, and sugar. Yes, it will be difficult. However, the results will be worth it.

Sugar- more addictive than heroine—Anti nutrient, destroys the immune system, and creates massive inflammation.

Grains— instantly metabolized as sugar as soon as they hit the mouth…yes there are healthier grains (sprouted/ancient grains) but it’s still sugar. When trying to limit inflammation, these have to all go for awhile.

Dairy— dairy is naturally inflammatory as no-one can digest casein protein, which is what creates the inflammatory response! Not to mention dairy is pasteurized at such high temps that all healthy enzymatic activity in dairy is destroyed.

Quality Matters

Meat/eggs/fish/poultry are the first foods that you need to focus on the quality of what is purchased.

A lot of animal products are raised in really unhealthy environments where antibiotics are used because of living conditions, GMO grain for feed (which alters omega 3 ratio, inflaming the animal) and then the heavy processing with nitrates and nitrites. 

Example: sandwich meat (class 1 carcinogen) equal to smoking as far as toxicity and has been proven to cause prostate cancer.

Example: eggs —> There are LEVELS: caged eggs are the lowest quality//cage free eggs are still raised in a dark barn// vegetarian fed chickens are fed grain products which don’t carry proper nutrient ratios//pasture raised/ organic pasture raised are the target to purchase and use.

Fish: Farm raised vs wild caught —always want to choose wild caught for omega ratios.

What about fruits and veggies you ask….that’s next.

Yes fruits and veggies grown conventionally carry multiple chemicals and pesticides that can’t be washed off. I recommend following the “clean 15 and dirty dozen”. If you want more info on that check out USDA Pesticide data research.

Shrink Your Eating Window

The big idea is to give your body a “digestive rest”. So much energy is spent digesting and processing food. We want the body to be able to focus on HEALING.

If you are looking to make significant change in the inflammation of your body, and ultimately overall health, nutrition is a great place to look!

Love you guys! 

Dr. Matt Horn