The Covid 19: Getting Back to Healthy Eating by Nikki Burnett

Nutrition Editor NIKKI BURNETT MS CNTP MNT is a Functional Nutritionist at Taste Life Nutrition. Nikki works with ambitious professionals to help them overcome hidden barriers to both health and success. Challenges such as chronic stress, brain fog, low energy, and stubborn chronic issues frequently have their roots in unhealthy foods and unknown inflammatory conditions. Functional nutrition is based on the science of functional medicine. The goal is to understand the body through functional lab testing, genetic testing, environmental factors, stress, and lifestyle.

Editor’s Note: This article is for information purposes only. Please check with your medical provider before beginning any treatment.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY KALEN JESSE // FOOD PHOTO: NADINE PRIMEAU

Cherry Creek Fashion Nikki Burnett

You’ve probably heard about “COVID 19” or “Quarantine 15” weight gain—a result of stress-eating or emotionally abusing food and/or alcohol during the pandemic. During times of crisis, it is common for people to turn to food and/or alcohol to help deal with stress. 

Right now, more than ever, we need to build robust immune systems to prevent and fight off illness. Unfortunately, this is not what we hear from the media or even mainstream medicine. To reclaim our health, we need to learn how to effectively reduce stress—and a great way to do this is by getting back to healthy eating and consistent activity. Instead of stress-eating, let’s eat to reduce stress.

How Food Communicates with our Bodies

Food is a language. The nutrients that we take in tell our cells and DNA what to do. If we eat processed, unclean foods, the body receives an unclear line of communication and becomes confused. Over time, dis-ease develops. When we eat clean, chemical-free foods, our body receives a clear line of communication and knows what to do. For example, let’s compare 500 calories of French fries vs. 500 calories of veggies. French fries have very little nutrient density and give the body very little direction, whereas the veggies are nutrient-dense and send a clear message to our cells and DNA.

For healthy eating and weight loss, it is VITAL to increase our consumption of single-ingredient, whole foods, especially vegetables. By doing this, you eliminate the processed additives, preservatives, and mystery-ingredients that inhibit weight loss and increase toxicity.

“Drinking more water also contributes to lasting weight loss. Increasing water intake improves digestion and reduces hunger cravings. It is best to drink water before or after a meal, because drinking too much during a meal may dilute the acids and enzymes that allow for the proper digestion of the food.”

Leafy greens, asparagus, broccoli, citrus fruit, Brussels sprouts, and garbanzo beans contain folate—a vitamin that helps produce the feel-good neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.  Blueberries also contain antioxidants and help produce the stress-fighting neurotransmitter dopamine. Salmon and 100% grass-fed meat contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to combat the stress hormone cortisol.

Remember, plant-based omega-3 fatty acids (ALA) must be converted by the body to the usable forms of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. This is an inefficient conversion at best, and those with certain epigenetic variants may not have the ability to convert at all. So, if you’re vegan and relying on foods such as flax, hemp, or chia to get your omega-3 fatty acids, you may be getting little to none. The exception is algae, which is high is DHA & EPA.

Drinking more water also contributes to lasting weight loss. Increasing water intake improves digestion and reduces hunger cravings. It is best to drink water before or after a meal, because drinking too much during a meal may dilute the acids and enzymes that allow for the proper digestion of the food.

Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss

When we think about weight loss, we inevitably talk about dieting. For me, this means a short-term, therapeutic diet. Rather than dieting, healthy eating should become a part of our lifestyle.

One reason why I am careful when it comes to dieting is because extreme-calorie restriction can upset metabolism and the hormones that help regulate appetite. Both things can contribute to weight gain, as a slower metabolism is notorious for causing excess pounds to pile on.

Intermittent fasting—when done correctly—can be a good way to maintain the body’s “natural weight.” The general theory is that we eat healthfully for a period of varying length, followed by a period of fasting. This gives the body and blood sugars time to regulate and settle back to near-natural states before being subjected to digestion stress again.

There is some data showing that it’s better to “pulse” intermittent fasting, especially for women. Consistent intermittent fasting may be hard on a women’s thyroid. So, consider fasting during the weekdays then regular eating schedules on the weekends.

While we’re all accustomed to hearing ways that claim to help us lose weight quickly, the reality is that most of these methods are either unhealthy, unnatural, or UNSUSTAINABLE. How many times have you felt like you were making progress in your weight loss goals, only to find your efforts go to waste as anything lost piles right back on once you take your mind away from it? With such varying arrays of mixed messages in the media regarding what is healthy and what will work to achieve sustainable weight loss, it’s easy to see how so many people are confused.

We need to shift the focus away from achieving numbers and sizes and focus more on achieving HEALTH. When we do this, we allow ourselves the space to cultivate balance in our lives and ultimately, a healthy weight.

Upcoming Event by Taste Life Nutrition

Are you trying to kick the sugar habit and get back to your healthiest you? Then join us for our FREE Supercharge Your Immune System 7-Day No Sugar Challenge! This challenge gives a glimpse into a comprehensive course co-created by Nikki and her colleagues Drs. Lynn and Sam McDonald of Wild and Precious Optimal Living. We want to provide you with the physical, mental, and emotional tools to learn your body as the beautiful individual you are so you can live your most EPIC life.

Food, Health, Nutrition, Taste Life, Health & WellnessEsther LeachNovember 2020