‘Eat yourself’ to better health

‘You are what you eat’, as the saying goes. So, how important is it to watch what we put in our mouths, and are there any foods that offer healing to age-related conditions?

British Herbalist and nutritionist, Dale Pinnock, says it is possible to “eat yourself better” from illness by consuming the right combination of foods.

Supporting Mr Pinnock’s claims is research which suggests foods such as garlic and onions benefit heart disease patients and the consumption of beetroot can allegedly prevent cancer.

Mr Pinnock has written a recipe book, Medicinal Cookery (Right Way), which contains meals he claims, can make a person feel better by treating the symptoms of an illness.

The book features recipes aimed at improving the skin, easing the pain of arthritis, managing Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and even high blood pressure.

According to the book Medicinal Cookery (Right Way), these are the foods you should consume to see long-term health benefits:

• Sweet potatoes, turmeric and ginger offer anti-inflammatory compounds
• Arthritis sufferers – eat pineapple, celery, chilli, garlic, ginger, mushrooms, sweet potato, turmeric, walnuts.
• To boost your immune system – eat chilli, garlic, ginger, goji berries, manuka honey, pumpkin seeds, shiitake mushrooms, blueberries and mango.
• Heart disease patients – eat apples, celery, chilli, garlic, ginger, onions, chickpeas and kidney beans.
• Feeling slightly nervous? To boost your nervous system eat – bananas, onions, potatoes, green vegetables, wholegrains and strawberries.
• Acne sufferers – eat onions, artichokes, butternut squash, celery, avocado, sweet potatoes and leafy green vegetables.

Milena Katz from the Dietitians Association of Australia told DPS eNews, as people grow older, it is important their nutritional needs are met by the foods they eat.

Although diet and exercise plays an important role in living a healthy life, Ms Katz says longevity generally comes from a person’s genetics, and that there is no evidence to suggest beetroot prevents cancer.

The ability to meet nutritional needs can become increasingly difficult as people age, but the association offers some tips to help older Australians maintain a well-balanced diet; which include:

• Eat at least three meals a day which offer a variety of nutrients and colours. Eating smaller, but more frequent meals during the day, is recommended.
• Drink adequate amounts of fluids; and if you drink alcohol, try to limit your intake.
• Calcium is vital to healthy bones.
• Ensure you choose foods low in salt.
• Sharing meals with family and friends can help make eating more enjoyable.
• If dentures are impacting on food intake, choose soft and easily chewed foods such as minced meats, bread without crusts and pureed fruit and custards.