Nutritional Stress

Diet has a significant impact on our well-being.

A nutrient-dense diet is key…in the ‘Nourish’ Pillar, we explore what that means.

Most importantly….what you eat can extend your life by years or even decades.

What you eat can control:

  • nervous system
  • chronic inflammation,
  • immune system & restore healthy gut bacteria,
  • endocrine system 
  • affect your physical, mental, and emotional health. 

Problem 2 — seed oils and trans fats

In another example of poor public health messages seed oils extended shelf-lives of processed food BUT are harmful to health — they are highly processed and unstable, particularly when heated.

Ironically, as saturated animal fat was demonised, health authorities (often sponsored by the food companies that manufacture seed oils and margarine) promoted these foods as a ‘healthy alternative’, and many still do to this very day.

Problem 3 — too much sugar

Sugar affects key hormones, specifically insulin and leptin levels, which help regulate how we store and metabolise carbohydrates (including sugar) and fat.

Sugar is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, adverse changes in lipids (fats), and chronic inflammation, which is implicated in every chronic degenerative disease, both physical and mental.

Problem 4 — too many modern grains

In the 1960s, a new variety of high-yield semi-dwarf wheat was created that dramatically increased the yield and lowered the height of the plant, making it easier to grow and harvest….but not healthier.

This new variety also had much higher proportions of gluten and fewer nutrients such as zinc, copper, iron, and magnesium. In addition, industrialised agriculture, with its high dependency on fertilisers, has depleted soils of selenium and many other trace minerals that are essential for good health.

Problem 5 – industrialised meat production & the demonisation of meat

Industrialised meat production is not just an ethical and environmental issue there are health implications for us, too. What is good for the animal, is good for us as consumers and good for the planet….a win-win-win.

Most importantly, we must consider the type of fat we consume thanks to industrialised farming practices, which produce the vast majority of our meat. When essential fatty acids… vital to our health, are in balance, they help regulate or reduce chronic inflammation. A healthy diet needs a healthy balance of these essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6.

When animals eat grass as they have in nature for millions of years, the proportion of omega-3 (anti-inflammatory) and omega-6 (pro-inflammatory) is usually 1:1 or 1:3.

Today, this healthy balance of essential fatty acids in our meat can be hard to find, The ratios can be more like 1:20, making industrialised meat pro-inflammatory….BUT we have a choice.

Problem 6 — not enough fibre to nurture your healthy gut bacteria and good bowel movements

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) occur naturally in many foods and are also referred to as dietary fibre. They have many unique and important properties. One of the most important features is that it can be fermented by the gut microbiome in the large intestine into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which in turn have several important health benefits, including; reducing the risks of coronary heart disease, colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, breast cancer, tumour formation to name but a few.

Dietary fibre or NSP are complex carbohydrates (polysaccharides), also known as roughage or bulk and is the cellulose and other indigestible parts of food derived from plants. Unlike other macronutrients, such as fats, proteins, or simple carbohydrates (sugars), which your body breaks down and absorbs, fibre isn’t digested by your body itself but rather by the trillions of microbes that make up the gut microbiome.

Problem 7 — too many additives, preservatives, and pesticides — and a reduction in micronutrients/trace elements

Additives and processed foods go together — you rarely have one without the other. The more processed foods you eat, the more additives you’ll eat.

The easiest way to avoid additives is to eat whole fresh food and, if necessary, ‘lightly’ processed foods such as canned tomatoes and frozen vegetables. But as a general rule, fresh is best.

Problem 8 — overconsumption of alcohol

The part of the body most affected by the consumption of alcohol is the liver. Our liver performs many essential functions, including clearing toxins from the body, processing food nutrients, and regulating metabolism.

With greater chemical exposure…see Environmental Stress….. in our modern environment, it’s even more important today, than ever before, that our liver functions optimally.

In addition to its impact on liver function, overuse of alcohol also changes how the central nervous system regulates inflammation and the delicate balance of hormones and neurotransmitters. This can lead to persistent, systemic chronic inflammation and organ damage, not to mention, poor quality sleep with all it’s flow-on effects.


Minimising Nutritional Stress

With knowledge comes power.

You have the power to choose…to ‘nourish’, or nutritionally stress your body and mind.

Choose well….it’s the only body & mind you have.

Managing Nutritional Stress

Here are some tips and goals you can set yourself to help manage and minimise your nutritional stress:

  • For 7 days only…monitor your food intake by keeping a food diary, and noticing how you feel when you eat a particular food, which will help you to identify what foods may be causing nutritional stress....download our 7 day diet diary
  • For 7 days only – measure your carbohydrate intake to get a better idea of how many carbs you are consuming on a daily basis… we suggest 70grams of carbohydrates per day 
  • Deepen your understanding of and respect for your gut and its impact on your health….are you feeding your friends or your foes?
  • Know where your food comes from and make choices to support better nutrition, better health, and a healthier planet
  • Avoid packaged and processed foods
  • Manage macro (protein & fat) and micro (vitamins & mineral) nutrient deficiencies. Our soils, and therefore our foods are deficient in many nutrients. Whole foods grown in healthy soils are best, BUT supplements can be helpful. Professional assessment and advice are recommended…we are happy to help.
  • Limit alcohol intake 

Supporting resources to manage nutritional stress

As an Unstress Health Member, you can access support resources and information to manage nutritional stress. 

The Deep-Dive Nourish Pillar of Health will teach you:

  • How to make good food choices,
  • 10 basic eating principles,
  • How & what to eat, and
  • What to avoid, and
  • Will help identify why health messages around food can often be confusing.