Holistic nutrition is a relatively new concept within the field of nutrition which emphasizes natural foods and alternative sources of nutrition, for example tofu and lentils instead of read meat. According to the American Holistic Health Association, the ultimate goal of holistic nutrition is to promote the experience of a maximum level of well being where all of the body's parts are functioning to their best capacity. Holistic nutrition has roots up to 5,000 years back, beginning in China and in India where the value of healthy foods were first discovered.
What is Holism?
Holism is the connection between the mind, body and spirit. According to the American Holistic Health Association, holism as it relates to medicine and nutrition means turning away from conventional wisdom and looking to alternative therapies. It also means approaching the health of the body as a whole, meaning the mind, body and spirit are all connected. Therefore, if a person has a problem in any one of those areas, for example the problem of diabetes of the body, it carries over as problems that manifest in the mind and spirit, too.
Organic
The American Dietetic Association is a respected nutrition organization that helps to set dietary guidelines and recommendations. The American Dietetic Association has noted that many Certified Holistic Health Counselors recommend eating only organic foods and staying away from all foods grown using any pesticides or herbicides. Holistic nutritionists often emphasize eating mostly or fully organic foods, stating that they have more nutrients.
Foods Avoided
Dr. William Manahan, professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School is a holistic nutrition advocate who frequently writes articles for the American Holistic Health Association. According to Dr. Manahan, there are six major food culprits that cause medical problems and are to be avoiding in a holistic diet. These foods include caffeine, salt, milk, sugar, processed foods and fats. A holistic nutritional perspective sees these food items as the causes of many medical and mental problems, including ADHD, headaches, heartburn and other health problems.
Elimination Diet
Holistic nutrition theory emphasizes eating foods which are natural and free of chemicals and additives such as artificial sweeteners. Beyond that, holistic practitioners like Dr. Manahan believe that every person is affected differently by foods and a specific food may benefit one person while causing a health problem in another person. The elimination diet is used to determine which foods cause an individual specific health problems, according to the American Holistic Health Association. The elimination diet involves avoiding all possible food culprits in the diet such as cheese, chocolate and ice cream, and then adding foods back--one at a time--until the person has strong enough symptoms to determine if they are related to a specific food.
Vitamin Supplementation
Dr. Alan Gaby, who is a past-president of the American Holistic Health Association and a current professor at Bastyr University states that many of the common diseases that people take prescription medications for can be treated with nutritional supplements instead. For example, his holistic nutrition approach is to have patients take vitamin C and vitamin B6 for asthma rather than using an inhaler every day. He also recommends that people with hypoglycemia take chromium supplements to improve their blood sugar levels. Holistic nutrition often emphasizes supplementing with vitamins and minerals, whether a person is healthy or sick.
Member Comments