By Arielle Giordano
When I decided to follow a caloric-based eating plan, I started letting go of foods such as dairy and meats and monitored my calorie intake. But I was not losing weight! I expressed my disappointment to my “eating for health” coach and she told me not to worry, saying that if I changed my eating habits to a plant-based nutritarian program I would never have to worry about my weight again!
The truth was that—for this plan to truly work—I needed to get really honest with myself. I focused with close attention on all the foods I put into my mouth. I was amazed to discover the truth and become aware of a huge discrepancy: What I thought I was eating and what I was actually eating were two different things. I believed the amount of food I was ingesting was MUCH less and all healthy choices. I did not think I had food addictions and felt I knew the definition of real hunger. My “aha” moment and realization was when I noticed that the body does not lie! I was not losing weight because I was not feeding my body the proper nutrition. I listened to my coach, and began following her instructions more closely.
Dr. Fuhrman’s book Eat To Live is a nutritional plant-based program which includes 90 percent fruits and vegetables. It defines the difference between “true” hunger and “toxic” hunger. Fuhrman explains that when we do not feed our bodies the proper nutrients, we do not feel well unless our digestive tract is continuously at work. Toxic hunger overpowers the natural instinct that controls appetite and leads to an increase in calorie consumption. Toxic hunger decreases with a lifestyle high in micronutrients. When the body is nutritionally satisfied, a new sensation of hunger appears when the body needs something, which he refers to as true hunger.
Body intelligence is a great guide and gift. Paying attention to the nutritional foods we eat can make a significant difference in the way we look and feel. Listening and being aware of the body’s needs and nourishment can impact health in a powerful way. For example, I have been shopping in the organic produce aisle lately, and I have been attracted to certain colors of foods, such as the orange in carrots or the red in beets. I followed my body’s guidance and purchased the foods. As a result, I experienced a physical sensation of well-being from satisfying these healthy food cravings. “Let the nutrition of the food be at the heart of the matter” became my new motto to improve physical health and well-being.
In learning to listen to my body, I have learned the importance of the nutritional value of foods instead of caloric assessment. I have shifted from a calorie-based approach to a nutritarian eating program. This means the quality of the food is more significant than the quantity. Portion control is not an aspect of eating nutritional foods.
You can have as big of a salad as you desire everyday! My weight has dropped off slowly and naturally. The Eat to Live program by Dr. Fuhrman has transformed my body physical health and well-being. For more information, please visit drfuhrman.com.
Healthy Recommendations:
- Listen to your body and follow through with healthy choices.
- Focus on the nutritional value of foods.
- Eat Organic.
- Avoid GMO products.
- Review ingredients and labels carefully.
- Review the “Dirty Dozen” list from the Environmental Working Group shopper’s guide to pesticides in produce.
Transform your body, your health, and you!
Arielle Giordano, with a Master’s of Arts and Master’s of Education, is a professional dancer, choreographer, teacher, facilitator, and published author. From belly dancer and snake charmer to Salsa and Hawaiian Hula dancer, she enjoys sharing her gifts and talents with an authentic style rich in grace in dance, psychology, philosophy, and the expressive arts. Arielle is a Lead Faculty Area Chairperson and Faculty Member for College of Humanities at the University of Phoenix. She inspires students with her profound knowledge of Humanities, Art, Psychology, and Philosophy. She is a published author of two books and many magazine articles. In 2013, she published the Psychology, A Journey, 4th ed. Study Guide. In 2011, she wrote the Barlow Abnormal Psychology 3rd ed. Instructor’s Manual, and in 2009, the Psychology, A Journey 3rd ed. Study Guide, published by Nelson Education. She has been a guest speaker and interviewed on radio and television. In addition, Arielle has been featured in newspapers and magazines across the United States and Canada. For more information, visit dancingfromtheinsideout.com or email agbeautifuldance@gmail.com.