"The individual who leads a healthy life avoids that which poisons their ... ]]>

How to live a healthy life

It certainly is an audacious undertaking to try and craft a guide that can provide a substantial answer for this timeless debate. I am however up to the challenge. I must first concede however that I by no means am a perfect example and no matter how long you scour the continents I do not believe anyone on earth is perfect enough to answer all the aspects of this question. That being said let us proceed.

For brevity sake, I am going to assume that for the casual reader “healthy” refers to physical health mainly. In this case there is one area which I believe is the true source of health, and that is nutrition. Nutrition is the greatest weapon we have at our disposal and it is my firm belief that even if one was to be out of shape physically, a healthy diet would still allot for a significant amount of health. At its core, food is the fuel, the very thing from which we can draw nutrients and energy from. It also happens to be a part of your lifestyle you have direct control over.

A healthy life is one that simply pays homage and respect to the amazing vessel that is your body. Think for a moment how many infections it wards off every day. How new skin is shed and regenerated. How it replaces itself constantly. The body is an amazing entity and as such it deserves the very best when it comes to what you throw into it. A healthy lifestyle is one that avoids extremes that take their toll on the body like excess caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and processed food.

I am not going to go into nutrient specific advice on a healthy life in that I believe most people know what works for them. If the goal is fat loss or muscle gain then it is another story, but as far as basic fuel requirements for the human body, I think we can all agree that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and natural meats is a nice place to start. Take some time and use the power of the internet to see just how amazing foods can be in the fight against diseaseCinnamon to treat diabetes, fish oil to lose fat, apples to reduce inflammation, green tea to reduce risks for cancer. It is incredible what is out there!

My friends and I once had to develop a definition of healthy living for a class and this is was the compromise.

“The individual who leads a healthy life avoids that which poisons their body. Artificial concoctions such as high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oil do not have a place in this individual’s food. They take the stairs whenever possible. They try to view food not only as a means of pleasure but also as the very thing which powers them. The healthy lifestyle begins and ends with the deep respect and love for the most sacred of physical forms, our own”.

Yes, I realize that borders a bit on the naturopath-psycho regime but the truth is a healthy lifestyle is very simple. We have muscles, use them. We love foods, do not abuse them. We all have consciences that guide us to make moral decisions, we also, in my own opinion, instinctively know which foods are bad for us. Just like in Poker, maybe we are not all dealt pocket aces when it comes to health, but the pot can be won with any hand. Adhere to what we know inside of us as the means to health, and we give ourselves the best chance to live the best we can.

Living longer by eating healthy isn't difficult; it simply requires minor changes in the way we view and eat our meals. ... ]]>

The United States has one of the highest mortality rates when it comes to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. And it’s no surprise really; with the American diet chock full of processed food containing absurdly high levels of sodium, sugar, and fats, unhealthy eating has become a way of life.

The problem with our overprocessed- and fast-food culture is that food is eaten in a hurry as opposed to something that is savored and enjoyed. In other cultures, for example Italy, food is celebrated as a vibrant, inherent part of the culture. Our propensity to fill our collective tummies in such a hurried fashion with unhealthy foods, combined with lack of exercise, has most certainly contributed to the health problems so many Americans are experiencing today.

Speaking of Italy, recent studies have shown that Italians visit doctors less frequently and have longer lifespans. What’s their secret?

First, the traditional diet of Italy consists mainly of fresh pastas, vegetables, and seafood with just a little meat on the side if any. Americans are convinced that all meals must center around meat with veggies as an afterthought. But Italy has another nutritional trick up her sleeve that predates even biblical times; olive oil.

Olive oil, particularly the less refined Extra Virgin type, has numerous health benefits including the prevention of cancer and heart disease. The reason? Olive oil contains beneficial phytochemicals and catechins in addition to acting as a source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. People on Mediterranean diets rich in olive oil have shown a dramatic decrease in unhealthy levels of blood cholesterol (LDL) while at the same time an increase in the level of healthy (HDL) cholesterol.

It’s not uncommon to see Italian centenarians imbibing their morning shot of olive oil as if it were a medicine. And in a sense it is medicinal, contributing to longer lifespans. But something else that leads to better health goes hand in hand with the traditional diet of Italy; the Passeggiata, or the evening stroll through the village and city streets.

Italians cherish their Passeggiata as a way to catch up with the latest neighborhood, family, or political gossip. While leisurely strolling the avenues and seaside boulevards, they also sneak in some exercise that aids in hearth health and longevity. Americans, on the other hand, are more sedentary, preferring the comfort of the couch and television after a hard day’s work.

To aid in living longer through diet and exercise, we should make three key changes in the way we approach health:

1) We should include more fresh vegetables, fruits, and pastas in our diets with an increase in fish and seafood. Meat should become more of an afterthought rather than the focus of the meal.

2) We should use extra-virgin olive oil as our principal oil of choice over vegetable or canola oil (not so much for frying, but certainly for use in salads, pestos, and bread dipping).

3) We should start a new tradition and take our own Passeggiata after dinner. Even a small stroll around the block burns calories and gets our blood pumping.

Living longer by eating healthy isn’t difficult; it simply requires minor changes in the way we view and eat our meals. Taking the cue from our friends overseas might just be the change we’re looking for in terms of increasing our longevity through diet and exercise.