The Designer Clothes (Real Food)
We all know that when we buy a piece of designer clothing, there is something different about it. Something better. So, you saved up a few paychecks to buy something nice. And you can justify the purchase to the cashier and tell her exactly why this piece of clothing is worth investing in. A date, a big party, a premeditated run-in with an ex and his new girlfriend. Go YOU! Bonus points if the designer clothing is in season when you purchase it! The same goes for produce, when buying in season means getting a fresher, tastier piece of realness. It might take longer to prep a meal, more frequent trips to the market, a little more out of your wallet, but isn't real food a worthwhile investment? For increased energy? For easier weight control? For a premeditated commitment to lifelong wellness?
The Imitation-Designer Clothes ("Diet" Food)
You didn't quite want to commit to the real deal, so you went for the wannabe instead. Or, maybe you thought this was the real deal! A Coach purse for $50?!...hmmmm must be a knock-off. A pint of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream for 50 calories?...hmmmm must be a knock-off. Just like a fake purse, fake food lacks what real food has in excess amounts--real nutrients that the body KNOWS how to use. Sure it's low in calories, but does that make it high in nutrients? This is where "diet foods" try to imitate the low-calorie real food.
Time for a lesson! In true nutritionista fashion (ha!), I will organize the walk-in closet of food:
- High in calories and high in nutrients (i.e. avocados, almonds)
- High in calories and low in nutrients (i.e. most fast food, junk food)
- Low in calories and low in nutrients (i.e. fat-free, sugar-free cookies)
- Low in calories and high in nutrients (i.e. spinach, broccoli, apples, strawberries)
The Cheap Clothes (Fake Food)
I just found this AWESOME blouse for only $9, but one of the buttons just popped off when I tried to put it on. It's not really my color either, but it was such a good deal! There are clothes that do not fit, but are so cheap that you figure, why not? Technically you could put a sweater over that blouse, and still look OK, but is the blouse really doing it's job? Fake food doesn't really do it's job either because it lacks the essential nutrients that keep you thriving! Not only the 'calories', 'fat', 'protein', 'carbs', but the vitamins and minerals and undiscovered molecules and processes that all work together in ways scientists may never be able to understand. Did you know that humans have somehow survived thousands of years without the need for hundreds of diet books and diet instruction!? Fake food does not fit with our bodies, but real food has, does, and will forever!
Nutritionista Rule #8: Essential nutrients are the fabrics of food. The source of those fabrics determines the food's quality. Remember that when real food is a designer dress, "diet" food is a knock-off purse, and fake food is a button-popping blouse, your life becomes a fashion show, and the world becomes your runway! BE FIERCE!
