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Achieving Wellness by Mal Pace

As a Health, Fitness and Life-Style Coach, my work is all about improving the health and well-being of clients!

Achieving wellness, is a product of many things; being happy, being fit, having quality relationships, and, of course, eating well!

When I talk to my clients about eating and drinking, I explain to them that there are two main considerations, or consequences, to consider, when thinking about what we put in our mouth. First, there is the body weight issue. One’s weight will either, increase, decrease, or stay the same - which is determined by the amount of calories that we consume vs the amount of calories that we burn/metabolise. The second “consequence” I describe is that of wellness; what this article is all about! Similar to weight gain/loss, what we eat, will either, improve, maintain, or reduce our well-being. Of course, the aim is to improve it!

So to what extent do our nutritional choices affect our wellbeing?

Well, it is now known that we need about 100 different nutrients to survive (and thrive!). Yes, you read correctly...100. Not 5, not 10...but 100! We need lots of vitamins and minerals. Everyone’s heard of the common ones like Vitamin A and Vitamin C. But there’s also a tonne of essential Trace Minerals that we need also - like Manganese and Copper. Included in this 100 are fatty acids as well. Most of us have heard the term “Essential Fatty Acids”. As the name implies, these are absolutely necessary; not optional. These fatty acids are found mainly in non-animal foods, such as seeds, nuts and vegetables. But there are also other fatty acids that are helpful; fatty acids that will improve our wellbeing! In fact there are about 36 different fats that we consume as human beings. These fats are obtained from both animal and vegetable sources. A lot of people aren’t aware that most of these, in their natural state (not heated, oxidized, trans fats etc), may actually be beneficial to us!

So if we think about it, it makes sense that if we deprive ourselves of one or more of these 100 nutrients, we will suffer a consequence; our wellbeing will decline. Jeopardise your diet, and you jeopardise your wellbeing! If you eat a low-nutrient diet, sooner or later it will catch up with you. That’s right, eating fries, and drinking soft drinks is the best way to ensure you are not at optimal wellbeing!

And then there are the things that I call anti-nutrients! These are simply things that are just plain bad for us. Sadly, this list is quite long! When I say “bad for us” I mean, they actually do us harm. So what sort of things would be anti-nutrients? Well, there are the obvious ones ...like excess alcohol! We all know deep down that those excess Friday night drinks aren’t good for us (your headache the next morning serves as a timely reminder!). Then there are the less obvious, and potentially controversial, ones like artificial sweeteners, PFOA that leeches from non-stick cookware, preservatives, colourings, petrochemicals, detergents that are used to process some foods. The list goes on...

So there’s a lot about what NOT to eat. So what about the “should eat” list? Well, it comes back to what you’ve heard a thousand times; a good wholefood diet consisting of real, natural (preferably organic) food. Quality meats, fruit, vegetables, nuts...exactly as you would have eaten if you lived 1000 years ago. For optimal wellbeing, minimise the processed food and maximize real food!

A word on supplementing...

Supplementing may assist your wellbeing. But I hesitate recommending it. Why? Because, as I said above, there is simply no substitute for real food; the way nature intended us to eat. Most supplements are synthetic products made in a laboratory – not natural substances. And supplementing individual nutrients, is, at best, controversial. The argument is simply that nature did not intend us to consume individual vitamins and minerals (alone). Rather, when we eat natural, real food, nutrients come together in the food; synergistically fuelling and repairing the body. One supplement I do recommend is Fish Oil; a source of Omega 3 fats (one of the Essential Fats I mentioned earlier). This is because most of our fish supply these days is, sadly, contaminated with Dioxins, PCB’s, Mercury & lots of other nasties. So unfortunately we’re forced into a position where we have no choice. On top of that, Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for brain function. Good brain function equals good wellbeing! So if you’re genuinely struggling to consume a wholesome diet, then supplement with Wholefood Supplements like Barley Grass, Acai, Goji Berries, Wheat Grass, Chlorella and Spirulina. Oh, and if you’re struggling with your menstrual cycle, Omega 3 fats should help with that. You may also wish to try the herb Vitus Agnes Cactus.

Here’s to feeling fabulous!

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