In this article, I would like to share with you the 5 keys to our ever-changing diet which influence the changing nature of our body and hence our diet. These factors continually intermix to form a new emotional picture of our biological needs.
Motherhood has its rewards and challenges and often guides us into unchartered territories. As a mother myself, I have been led into the world of alternative medicine and holistic practices. Having 2 young boys with food allergies, hypoglycemia and gut inflammation, food plays a star role in my household, which is the main reason why I have chosen a profession in holistic wellness.
This information has enabled me to better understand nutritional and dietary requirements for myself as well as for my family and I hope it will help you do the same for you and your loved-ones.
Lifestyle
- NEW CAREER, NEW HOME, SHIFT IN FINANCES, CHANGE IN SLEEP PATTERNS, ETC.
Your body needs something different for every lifestyle change you make. For example, if you have a desk job, you will need less food compared to a landscaping job; your body chemistry is dramatically altered just by changing jobs or activity levels.
If you are in a boring or high stressed job or reoccurring situation, you may find yourself eating more than usual; food can be used to calm us down or activate our interest when we feel unfulfilled. Try to recall a time when you were so absorbed in an activity that you didn’t even think of eating for hours.
Environment
- AS OUR SURROUNDING CHANGES, WE CHANGE, WHICH LEAD TO DIET CHANGES
Many people report that when they transition into a new environment, they are attracted to the foods which are found in that location. This is because there’s an intimate connection between the foods native to the environment and the people who are living there.
We remain connected to our surroundings in tangible ways – just as an old house contains the memories of the personalities of the generations that use to live there, so does food. It contains the essence of its environment.
Season
For example, during the hot springs and summer months, the sun’s energy warms the body so that we have less need to produce internal heat through the digestive process. Therefore, our appetite naturally decreases and more fluid is needed to replace water loss which occurs through perspiration. The environment naturally provides us with cooling foods such as fruits and vegetables which will enable our body temperature to remain cool.
Another factor to take into consideration is that your metabolism increases during the spring, but might slow down in the summer due to excessive heat; hence the reason why we see Curry in India and Chili Peppers in Mexico; these spices help reactivate your metabolism.
In the colder months, metabolism slows down due to our body adapting to the cold weather and appetite will increase at this time in order to maintain the body’s temperature at normal range. Usually, people are attracted to high protein and high fat foods such as meats, cheeses and casseroles or warm foods such as soups. These foods are slower to digest and yield a sustained heat release over a longer period of time which is essential to keeping that inner fire burning. One of the main reason why people get sick in the fall is because they forget to implement dietary changes according to the season; root vegetables, bone broth, hearty stews are all great foods to add to your menu.
The body will also call for more body fat during the cold seasons; it’s an adaptation which provides us with the necessary insulation to the cold. Now we can justify why we put on a few pounds over the Holidays!
Age
In a few short years, our body transitions from the nourishment of the umbilical cord, to breast milk, to pureed foods. Then the body longs for more complex foods to challenge the digestive system into full function and to meet the growing child’s nutritional needs.
This transformation of nourishment continues into adulthood; you might have encountered a very hungry teenager rummaging through your cupboards at all hours of the day or night! Whereas elderlies will only need a fraction of the calories since their metabolism has decreased.
Health
- HEALTH PLAYS A HUGE ROLE REGARDING OUR BIOLOGICAL NEEDS
We are accustomed to change our diets during certain illnesses such as colds, flus, fevers, but for many people with health conditions, they have to alter their diet for life.
Special diets are crucial during chronic illnesses such as heart disease, liver disease, diabetes and ulcers. Each of these ailments have a corresponding therapeutic diet which will help heal and support the body.
As you can see, these 5 key To Our Ever Changing Diet interact to create a continuous evolving diet. Change is the one constancy in life that we can expect. The more we welcome change and respect it, and listen to it, the better we can navigate the body’s ever-changing needs and the better we can provide and support our family’s well-being as well as our own.
Julie Cloutier @JulieCloutier6
This post is so correct out dietary needs are changing all the time!
menopause doesnt help either in the age department.
I totally agree. Menopause definately belongs in the ever changing diet!
Interesting read. I definitely find that our diet changes based on the seasons.
Thanks for the great pointers.
I definitely find that our diet changes as we get older,there are foods now i enjoy very much that i didnt care for when i was younger!
I find as well that our diet does change as we get older and wiser! I now eat more raw vegies and fruits, and also eat a different variety of raw organic coconut granola and try to find pure organic raw honey.
Our diet changes based on the seasons,also as we age
I always love exploring new foods and retying things I did not like. Our palate definitely changes as our diet changes.