Aging and Health
The following is a list of articles on exercise, diet, nutrition, aging, and health. You will notice a lot of these articles are fairly critical of the North American obsession with grains and processed foods and I think this is highly justified. I know from an examination of my own life and family, processed foods and even grains do not sit well in our diet. We (my wife and I) have noticed everything from weight gain through negative emotional consequences to deterioration of mental functioning arising as a direct result of the consumption of grain and processed foods. Our conclusion is that grains should be eaten in moderation, while processed sugars and processed foods should be eliminated from the diet completely (sadly, easier said than done).
As a mentor you are going to have to be aware of food and food choices not only in your own life (in order for your physical unit to function properly you must feed it, water it, and keep it healthy) but also in the lives of those you mentor. Food is not just about physical well being, it is also about mental and emotional well being.[restrictedarea level="3"] You have to remember, it is the physical aspects of your body (your brain, your central nervous system, your limbic system, etc.) that provide for the manifestation of intellect and emotion. If your physical body is not properly maintained, physical as well as emotional, psychological, and intellectual functioning will be impaired. This will have direct consequences on the ability of the physical unit to activate, awaken, and empower. For these reasons, diet, exercise, and proper maintenance of the physical unit are critical.
You can start brushing up on diet and exercise by reading the following articles. There is a wealth of information contained in these articles but do keep in mind that all diet advice is general. We all have different nutritional requirements and so we must all be our own “scientists” as we monitor and adjust our diet to ensure our bodies get the nutrients and minerals required. Apply this advice not only to yourself, but to people you mentor. Teach them to trust their own bodily feelings and teach them the ability to monitor and control their own physical and mental processes. This is a core feature of empowerment. We take take control of our life and health.
Of course, and despite having said this, general guidance, like eliminate processed foods and sugars and reduce grain consumption, may be appropriate for all of us.
When you have read through all the articles, answer the portfolio question included at the end of this commentary. Submit your draft to the “In Depth Study Questions” forum. Include the final copy of your answer in your completed portfolio.
- An Anthropological Evaluation of Vegetarianism (scholarly article that takes a cross cultural look at the body’s essential need for protein).
- Longevity – Living to 140
- Diet Advice
- Exercise and Diet
- Insulin Control
- Grains and Sugars
- Low Grain, Low Carbohydrate
- Sugar Intake
- Nutrition Plan
Toxins
As a final note, if you have some nutritional expertise and wish to contribute some article selections contact [email protected]. Additional commentary can be provided in the forums.
Portfolio Question
Chances are very good that reading over the articles and discussions in this section are just going to confuse you. Should I eat meat, should I not eat meat. Bread/no bread, etc. what to do? Most important to take away from these discussions is the motivation to look at your own life and your own diet and decide based on enlightened awareness of your own body’s responses to diet. In other words you need to pay attention to the impact food has on your physical, emotional, and mental well being.If you have kids you also have to pay attention to the impact of food on them as well.
In order to encourage some self reflection and careful observation, your portfolio question for this unit involves monitoring what you eat and its impact on you. As the readings suggest you should know if a food disagrees within a hour of eating it. If the food makes you sluggish, gives you cramps, depresses your mood, makes you feel bloated, or otherwise depresses the physical or emotional functioning of your body, chances are this food is toxic to you in some way. Record that and either reduce or eliminate that food from your diet. Do this for about a month and then post your food journal, diet modifications, and any conclusion you derive in the forums for feedback. Include a copy of this question in your final mentor portfolio.
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