Defining the “food is medicine” concept
The famous saying attributed to Hippocrates of “let food by thy medicine and medicine by thy food,” conveys that food should be a foundational part of preventing and healing health issues. Indeed, having a well-balanced and nutrient-dense diet should be the starting point for healthcare providers when addressing their patients’ health. Unfortunately, that’s not always done in our current healthcare system.
Most conventional primary healthcare providers receive little to no training in clinical nutrition. In addition, even if they are aware of the big impact proper nutrition makes in improving health outcomes, their limited time per patient leaves little room for in-depth nutritional counseling. Thus, referrals for for nutritional analysis and care should be made to licensed nutritional professionals, like Registered Dietitians (RD), and Certified Nutrition Specialists (CNS).
True integrative care incorporates the best of conventional, and other healing approaches
To be clear, using the food as medicine model doesn’t mean we don’t need pharmaceutical medicine, or that it shouldn’t be prescribed. It means that nutrition and conventional interventions should be combined together in an integrated system, and that nutrition education should be included. Anyone who says that food and supplements can replace prescription medications is not using the food is medicine philosophy correctly.
Food plays many other roles in our lives besides being healing and nourishing for our bodies. We can’t fully leverage the power of food as medicine if we don’t recognize and honor this fact. Food is amazing and accomplishes so many things at once, so let’s celebrate and highlight this! 🎉
Food is medicine, but also:
1. Food is culture
Food maintains connections to culture, heritage, and religious practices.
2. Food is social
Food takes center stage at many major life events and social gatherings such as weddings, graduations, and birthdays. From holiday dinner parties to potlucks at work, food creates a sense of togetherness and community.
3. Food is family
Family food traditions and recipes can be passed down through generations, connecting us to ancestors and familial roots. Cooking together as a family can create lasting bonds and memories.
4. Food is communication
Lovingly preparing food for family, friends, or someone in need communicates that they matter, and are important. When we do the same for ourselves, we are saying that we love and value ourselves.
5. Food is connection
Food links us back to the farmers and workers who grew and processed it, to those who transported and sold it, and back to the land within which it grew. Food ties us to Mother Earth, who enables us to have food in the first place.
6. Food is comfort
Not all emotional eating is unhealthy, despite what you may have heard. When comfort foods are eaten mindfully, in sensible portions and in balance with other foods, they can provide much needed emotional support and stability during a difficult time. The key is awareness of portions, and the frequency of consumption of such foods.
7. Food is fun and adventure
Trying new foods and experimenting with recipes you’ve never made before is exciting. It can be a fun hobby to try making different dishes at home, or to dine at a newly opened restaurant. Travel especially opens up a doorway to a diversity of culinary delights and exploration.
8. Food is educational
Food is a gateway to learning more about other people’s cultures, and ways of life. It’s a great tool for bridging gaps between different groups of people, and for uniting them as well.
9. Food is our past
Food enables us to have a strong relationship to our inner child, and to our upbringing.
10. Food is life
Ultimately, food is the sustaining force for all life forms. It is what links us to to the chain of life on this planet, and to Mother Earth herself.
What does food mean to you? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
