Have you ever heard the saying, 'You are what you eat' and wonder what exactly that means? So, if I have a hamburger, I am a hamburger? Maybe not in the literal sense but to a certain degree, this is very much true. In order to fully address this, we must take the time to investigate and see what this means and whether it applies to health and nutrition today.
What does 'You are What You Eat' actually mean?
The phrase was originated by French lawyer Anthelme Brillat-Savarin in 1826. His version was 'Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are' referring to the idea that if you want to be healthy, you must eat healthy foods. This was then exercised in England in 1930s by nutritionist Victor Lindlahr who used this theory to develop the Catabolic Diet and carried over into the 1970s and even until today.
Nutrients from the foods we eat provide the foundation of the structure, function, and wholeness of every little cell in our body, from the skin and hair to the muscles, bones, digestive and immune systems. We may not feel it, but we’re constantly repairing, healing and rebuilding our body every time we move around, exercise and live our lives. Healthy foods and eating healthy may mean something completely different to all of us depending on our culture, demographics and location.
Read more: You Really Are What You Eat
What is considered healthy food?
Eating foods that we grew up eating may not necessary the best kinds of foods. Foods like pork and white rice and breads are very high in starches and fats and low in vitamins and minerals the body needs. Eating until one feels full or serving yourself heaping mounds of these types of foods is not eating healthy. The foods that are considered healthy are those that are nutrient-rich and are necessary for rebuilding the body to be better and stronger are:
Fruits
Vegetables
Whole Grains
Nuts and Seeds
Lean proteins such as chicken, fish, and turkey
These foods are high in fiber and water and low in calories so eating these foods have been scientifically proven to help you feeling more satisfied when eaten in the proper amounts per day. Eating these types of foods, along with exercise, can help you look and feel better and have even been proven to reduce the signs of aging. Whenever you grab for those chips, your body at a cellular level starts to imitate the same consistency of the chip and because they are low in water and fiber, you are more likely to overeat the serving size, thus gaining weight and feeling sluggish.
Read more: You Really Are What You Eat, Science Says
So how do I know what portion sizes are recommended for my goals and what foods are good to eat for my specific body type and fitness level??
Thanks! Great information. Definitely, I need to get more disciplined.