Food as Medicine: Nutrition’s Holistic Impact on Health and Happiness

In a world where it seems like the norm is to take a pill or supplement, it is important to remember that more holistic options can also keep us happy and healthy. These options include nutritional strategies and using food as medicine.

Food as Medicine: The Importance of Nutrition for All

Due to the increase in obesity and preventable diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) now has an objective to “end hunger and reduce the prevalence of chronic disease in the United States by 2030.”

According to HHS, “Access to nutritious food is critical to health and resilience. Food is Medicine is a concept that reaffirms this connection, recognizing that access to high-quality nourishment is essential for well-being. By supporting the production of and facilitating access to nutritious food across a health continuum and range of settings, approaches to Food is Medicine support immediate and long-term resources for people, communities, and systems.”

Utilizing food as medicine is also a more holistic way to have a positive impact on our health.

Food as Medicine: Nutrition’s Holistic Impact on Health

There is little argument that the food we eat correlates directly to how healthy we are. Of course, it is not the only contributing factor to health, but it is a major one.

Acquiring health from nutrition is also one of the easiest ways for us to ensure we are functioning at our optimal level. The key is to find a proper balance between the foods we should eat as well as the ones we should avoid. Discovering that balance happens in nutritional therapy sessions. Nutritional therapy is a holistic therapy that’s become increasingly popular.

According to The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, “Nutritional Therapy uses food to prevent and reverse diseases that plague most western societies: diabetes, obesity, heart disease, arthritis, and depression. In order for food to be therapeutic, it must be nutrient-dense, measured in part by the nutrients and anti-nutrients, contained in consumed foods. Nutrients are plant and animal sources providing macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fat), micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, antioxidants, probiotics), and fiber,” and “Anti-Nutrients are food products that have no biological necessity.” Following this regimen for nutrition not only helps our body, but it can help our mind and emotions as well.

Food as Medicine: Nutrition’s Holistic Impact on Happiness

However, food as medicine is not just about keeping our physical bodies healthy. It is also about keeping ourselves happy. Yes, food and mood are directly related.

According to the British Medical Journal (BMJ), “In recent years, the relationships between nutrition and mental health have gained considerable interest. Indeed, epidemiological research has observed that adherence to healthy or Mediterranean dietary patterns – high consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes; moderate consumption of poultry, eggs, and dairy products; and only occasional consumption of red meat – is associated with a reduced risk of depression.” However, knowing what a healthy diet looks like and maintaining a healthy diet are two very different things.

Many people don’t get the proper nutrition they need because they may be unfamiliar with the exact foods (and portions) that they need. In some cases, people have had bad experiences with nutritious food and how it made them feel. When they ate healthy food, they didn’t enjoy it. This is where we at LifeSpring Home Nutrition can help because we offer the exact nutrients people need in their foods, in the right portions for them. Our meals are also tailored specifically to an individual’s preferences to ensure the food will also bring them pleasure and satisfaction.

Food as Medicine: Utilizing Nutrition for a Longer and Healthier Life

Utilizing food as medicine is also a great way to ensure not just a longer life, but a high quality of life. Food is not just holistic medicine that can make us feel good in the moment. It is also something that can make us feel good in the long run.

Utilizing nutrition as early on as possible can help to reduce the chances of acquiring the preventable diseases previously mentioned. Good nutrition can also ensure that our mood remains positive for years to come.

Healing at the Cellular Level With LifeSpring Home Nutrition

The expression “food as medicine” offers a great way to think about healing the body, mind, and soul at the cellular level. These healing powers are why we hold the concept of food as medicine close to our hearts.

We put our heart and soul into the entire process of getting our healthy medically tailored meals (MTMs) directly to our clients’ doors. From the planning, processing, and packaging, to delivery at the front door, we are intimately involved every step of the way. Here at LifeSpring Home Nutrition, we believe that food truly is the best medicine.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently initiated the “Food is Medicine” approach to “end hunger and reduce the prevalence of chronic disease in the United States by 2030.” Nutrition can heal, maintain, and enhance the health of your body, mind, and soul. This also represents LifeSpring’s mission to deliver delicious and nutritious meals to those in need. If you feel like you or someone you love can benefit from healthy, medically tailored meals (MTMs) with convenient home delivery, we can help. For more information about the concept of food as medicine and how nutrition is one of the best ways to heal at the cellular level, please reach out to LifeSpring Home Nutrition today at (800) 798-5767.