The ONE Missing Ingredient in Nutritional Knowledge

America is nutritionally confused. And for good reason. Marketing and false promises are the forefront of every nutritional belief.

Every system, diet or program "guarantees" results if you follow their every step. So many people try with good intentions, but sadly fail. Does this mean they have a lack of willpower? Does this mean they're stupid? Or that they're a total failure?

​No. Absolutely not. America is "food confused" because of so many systems out there. Unlike other parts of the world, where ancient cultures are still connected to the land, or consume specific foods during harvest season, most Americans have lost touch to the basics of agriculture and simple eating. 

​So what is the missing ingredient in the world of nutrition?

It is our spirit, which is missing. 

America has lost touch with it's body and it's bodily awareness through the last few decades. Although it's making a comeback, the combination of desk jobs, technological devices, and artificial foods have "blocked" Americans not only from their spirit, but also from the connection and energy of the land. 

Nutrition from a logical lens nourishes, or fuels, us, but more from a weight loss/gain perspective. It's the energy balance equation.  If you eat more than you expend you gain weight. If you eat less than you expend you lose weight. Although this philosophy contains truth, there is a missing link. 

A calorie is a unit of energy. And what you consume energetically matters not only nutritionally, but emotionally, psychologically and mentally. We've lost touch in fueling the spirit, where today we use food for superficial reasons. This in itself is spiritual and understand the spiritual context of food created by God. 

Viewing nutrition through a spiritual lens ignites a fresh perspective, seeing food through a new light. 
God's wisdom is profound. Depending on whether you believe in creation or evolution, we can all agree that food from nature provides the necessary nutrients that the human body needs for optimal function.  

I believe some issues related to obesity is due to a lack of one's connection to spirit. Most people on this planet crave "something more." This "something more" is our soul, or our higher self talking to us.  

Food is medicine and heals us internally as well as promotes exterior beauty. 

Our physical  body is the vessel that our soul uses to connect to the Divine. When clean, healthy and whole, our bodies continue to "bring in" more of the light. This light inspires us to further nourish our heart and soul. 

Many ancient traditions considered the body sacred, believed that taking care of the body ensure's one health and longevity. in simple terms, the body is a temple. Interior beauty is just as important as exterior beauty. You can read more at my other blog link, Why You Should Treat Your Body as a Temple.

Not only is nutrition important, but ancient cultures also believed in the art and well-being of movement, holistic medicine, relaxation techniques and adequate sleep. These traditions viewed the body not as God, but as a vehicle to God. 

So what makes these ancient cultures different than today? These cultures had a spiritual foundation. 

Without a spiritual foundation, nutritional knowledge can only go so far. 

No matter how strict one's diet is with adequate vitamins, minerals and vegetables, one is still susceptible to health issues. This doesn't mean that one should not attempt towards better health, but without stable emotions and a mindset and a connection to God, nutrition can only be taken so far. 

In today's world, we have a surface level understanding of nutrition thanks to marketing and quick-fix gimmicks. 

Children are natural intuitive eaters, but adults once we enter the "real world" we experience eating a myriad of complex eating issues. Some eat their emotions due to stress, loneliness or depression. Some don't eat because of body image issues. We adopt beliefs around the "right and wrong" foods.  

We need a mix of nutritional and spiritual enlightenment. 

We are more than just a body, but a vehicle containing a spiritual source. Please read the upcoming blog post that discusses questions one should ask regarding their spiritual foundation and nutritional knowledge.