Wellness Aging's Blog

With the number of take out “food stores”, it is apparent that we have, without a doubt, become a fast food nation. These tempting “no brainer” food places are found inside grocery stores, convenience stores and free standing popular food spots (burger joints, pizza parlors, fried chicken spots, etc to name just a few). These places  can hardly be called restaurants – a place to rest and eat. The popularity of eating food quickly to match our speedy lifestyle poses hazards to our health. A predominant diet of foods highly processed has been and will continue to lead people into increasing disease and early death. Studies are coming out regularly to support this fact.

However, the secondary issue with eating on the run is the importance of slowing down to eat, allowing digestion and assimilation of our food intake.  Food ingested rapidly creates loss of the initial digestive process that begins with a breakdown of starches in the mouth. Poor digestion and nutrient malabsorption continues along the entire digestive canal. So with intake of the highly processed food even fewer nutrients are getting to cells. Fast eating sets our nervous system into sympathetic action – sort of like high gear; what we really need is our parasympathetic nervous system to help with digestion. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for increasing our digestive juices and helps with absorbing nutrients into cells. 

Here is the key point: Slow down, eat slowly and chew well. Plan harmonious meals at home in a relaxed atmosphere with love and laughter at your table.

A recent quote from NY Times Magazine: “|It’s better to pay the grocer than the doctor” from John Forti – learned from his Italian grandmother.

Yours In Health,

Pamela Sky Jeanne ND

Wellness Aging

drjeanne@comcast.net