With regard to weight, there are lots of ways the Western (particularly American) world system is killing us.
I agree. I attribute my approach to food to three factors: the Holy Spirit’s guidance, whole foods seasonal eating, and the rejection of many of the tenets of the body positivity movement.
For me personally, it’s wrong to violate my temple. That goes well beyond food. I’m referencing a consciousness. Not self-flagellation. It matters not what society says or does. Their philosophy cannot be my barometer. I must look to Him.
It’s not about scaling the mountain overnight but making measured changes that build unto the other over time. Convenience is our greatest threat. The ease comes at a cost of caloric meals laden with sugar and fat that few will burn off. Not to mention the sodium.
The greatest defense against convenience is preparing your own food. Developing your palate will enable you to amplify flavor without harmful substitutes. Good ingredients often result in smaller portions.
Everything has increased in scale. Our plates are larger. We supersize standard meals without realizing the damage we’re doing. Getting back in the kitchen is a must as is tasting real food once more. Put down the candy bar and grab a wedge of dark chocolate. You’ll wonder why you ever bothered with the other.
The Western diet has many pitfalls. Weston Price studied its affects on many cultures and the physical changes they underwent as a result of its consumption. I agree with his idea that foods indigenous to our genetic makeup are generally best.
Although I’m a woman of color, my Creole roots and French ancestry have influenced my diet. That is my approach today. I eat what the ground produces in its season. Taste and portion control are my focuses. I use butter, cream, olive and other oils, and consume wine. And I love cheese and charcuterie!
I don’t have a penchant for deep-fried foods, low-fat or refined products. Freshness is a must. I prefer the baker’s bread (if they use natural yeast) over commercial brands. Sugary sweets are unappealing. A homemade galette or gelato is far better.
This approach has kept me free of weight-related diseases. I make a lot of products at home. Including condiments. I enjoy my meals far more today than I did in the past.
Lifestyle changes can’t be undertaken until we’ve reached a point where we’re willing to admit our behavior is harming us. No physician can bring you to that place. It begins within.