Your Whole Self Wellness

What did your ancestors eat?

One of the major factors shaping bio individuality is ancestry. If many generations of your ancestors from Scandinavia were accustomed to eating dairy on a daily basis, it’s natural that your body will be able to assimilate dairy foods. Most traditional African communities did not regularly consume milk products, by contrast, so it makes sense that a lot of people of African descent today are lactose intolerant.

Food is more than what you find on your plate.

Healthy relationships, regular physical activity, a fulfilling career and a spiritual practice can fill your soul and satisfy your hunger for life. When primary food is balanced and satiated, your life feeds you, making what you eat secondary.

Fruits

Eat in season, choose local and organic when possible, and eat a variety of colors. Enjoy fruit when craving sweets and snacks.

Relationships

Being well connected with others is an essential part of life, and the quality of our relationships explains a lot about the quality of our health.

How fast is your metabolism?

Another aspect of bio individuality is metabolism, or the rate at which you convert food into energy. You may recall that as a teenager you could wolf down a burgers, fries, milkshake, and ice cream all in one meal, without any indigestion or tightening of your jeans. That’s because young people have fast metabolic rates and burn calories more quickly than adults. Even adults have different types of metabolic activity that all require varying proportions of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Knowing what you metabolize best will help you choose foods that support your individual body. These are just a few of the factors that influence what foods will and won’t nourish you. Ultimately, one person's food may be another person's poison, and that is why fad diets don't work in the long run. You need to find the diet that works for you and your needs. People are different, and getting to know your own body is an essential step in staying healthy!