There are probably few things that are as confusing, emotionally charged, and essential for our well-being as food and nutrition.
Each and every year there are multiple books published on losing weight, gaining weight, eating to reduce disease, this diet, and that diet.
Add magazines and the information regarding food skyrockets even higher.
So why do so many sources contradict each other? Water is good for you, but does it need to be filtered? Should you drink water with your meals, or should you drink water on an empty stomach? Do you really need to drink water? Does coffee count? What about tea? Green tea? What about the various sports drinks? Are they better than water? Is bottled water better than tap water? Should a water purifier be used? Which water purifier is best? What about that first statement, is water really good for you? If we are supposed to drink water, how much should we drink? Look at all these questions, and many more, just about water.
No wonder it gets even more confusing when discussing foods.
I agree with Dr.
Andrew Weil in his book "Eating Well For Optimum Health," where he states, "eating well means using food not only to influence health and well-being, but to satisfy the senses, providing pleasure and comfort.
" Food has to taste good, and you need to enjoy it.
Sure, I understand that food is necessary for calories and nutrients, and anyone who wishes to perform optimally in anything physical must fuel his or her body with healthy foods that promote athletic prowess and health.
The optimum diet should also reduce risks of disease such as heart disease, diabetes, and many others that diet influences.
However, I don't think people need to sacrifice taste, or exempt all foods from the "bad" lists for the rest of their lives.
Living with the Warrior's Edge, and teaching others to live more powerfully by incorporating warrior principles into their lives includes eating healthy to go along with the physical training a warrior must engage in.
But with this, it is important to remember that eating is a major source of pleasure and an important focus for many social interactions.
I don't encourage people to give that up.
That is not realistic or practical.
With that, I do believe how we eat is a determinant to our health, and that we can eat healthy food that is pleasurable and fits with social interactions.
In no way should you consume huge quantities of calorie-laden foods with little nutritional value that force your weight into over weight and obese zones.
But a pizza, milkshake, or fast food burger and fries once in a while is not the end.
Confused yet? Eating well is eating healthy, but not so strict that you can't enjoy "bad" foods once in a while.
Eating well is finding alternatives that are healthier and still taste good.
Eating well is managing what we consume to improve our health, feel better, perform better, and if not live longer, at least live better.
Study various books on eating healthy and incorporate the principles and strategies into your diet and monitor how you feel and perform.
There is no single diet that is right for everyone, so you must find what is right for you.
Just remember what eating well is really about - health and pleasure.