A better life begins with what you put into your mouth

My biggest takeaway in the past few years of studying health has nothing to do with calories, fats or protein. It has nothing to do with how much you should eat to be healthy and has nothing to do the latest and greatest super foods on the market.

The most important thing I have learned can be broken down to this very simple takeaway:

You are what you eat, and everything is connected

Boom.  Let’s break it down.

You are what you eat:

When was the last time you ate a burger and jumped off the couch to go for a run? Probably never. The characteristics of red meat are heavy, hearty and slow (um, kind of like the cow it came from) and you’ll likely feel that way after eating it too.

A bag of chips, the early Halloween candy you’re sneaking and the donut you may have eaten last weekend have zero nutritional value. The only thing they’re giving to you is a big dose of strain on your internal system. They probably made you feel tired and sluggish.

It’s as simple as this – if you want to feel healthy, vibrant and alive, you need to choose foods that are healthy, vibrant and alive.

Everything is connected:

So – if you are what you eat, then your thoughts, your moods, your sleep and ultimately your actions all stem from what you put into your body. Sugar can make you cranky and irritable. Caffeine can make you jittery and nervous.

When your internal systems are inflamed and angry, trying to make sense of what you just ate, you’re not going to feel good and you’ll likely to be a little angry too.

On the other hand, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and small amounts of high quality animal protein all work to keep your body nourished, full and flood your system with essential vitamins and nutrients that you need in order to function. You eat this, you’ll feel vibrant, alive, energetic and happy.

Better eating translates to better living. Why? Because you just feel better. When you feel good, you’re happier, more productive, energetic and connected to life.

Imagine all you can do with that?