A cup of yogurt is more than a yummy snack.
It is medicine.
Yogurt can support bone health, regulate blood pressure, and improve digestion thanks to its rich supply of vitamin B12, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium.
And yogurt is just the beginning.
You probably already know that fruits, vegetables, beans, and beets are good for you.
You also know that chips, sugary drinks, and processed foods are not.
So why is it so hard to choose healthy food?
Because we’re human.
It’s not your fault.
Food companies spend millions hiring scientists and psychologists to make processed foods as addictive and crave-worthy as possible.
But that was then.
Now, things have changed. If you’re facing a diagnosis of any kind, then it’s time to rethink your relationship with food.
Because food is medicine.
My doctor recommended I eat a “Mediterranean Diet” that focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, olive oil, fish, and poultry, and limits added sugars, sodium, processed foods, and red meat.
Some can reduce inflammation. Others may support your immune system or improve energy levels.
It’s time to reframe what you eat and how you think about eating.
You’ve probably heard someone say, “I live to eat, not eat to live.”
But what if you could do both?
When I got my diagnosis, my wife and I went out to our favorite burger joint. She ordered her usual. I stared at the menu and did something I’d never done before.
I ordered the beet salad.
I had never eaten a beet in my life.
But I knew I had to change something. So I tried it.
I won’t lie. It wasn’t love at first bite. But it wasn’t as bad as I feared. The beet was topped with quinoa, which added a nice crunch. A light vinaigrette masked the earthy flavor.
Since then, I’ve discovered salads that can be exciting and tasty. Toss in blueberries, oranges, or walnuts, and suddenly you have a juicy, crunchy, and flavorful meal. You can find hundreds of recipes online.
Changing your diet doesn’t mean giving up pleasure.
It just means finding new pleasures.
New flavors.
New habits.
You might even surprise yourself.
And more importantly, you’ll nourish your body instead of working against it.
And you won’t feel so bad when you sneak in a bag of chips or a pint of ice cream
After all, we are human.
Your Turn
What foods have you been afraid to try?
What healthy options do you want to experiment with?
Give them a chance. Your body—and your future—will thank you.
