Food is Medicine. Eat the Right Food to Keep Your Mind and Body Healthy.

"He that takes medicine and neglects diet, wastes the skill of the physician."
- Chinese Proverb"

The wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessing. Let food be your medicine."
- Hippocrates

That we are what we eat is a fact. Many of my patients are trying to maintain their weight or lose weight. Sometimes, they go about it the wrong way, either by not eating or by eating the wrong foods. The original US food pyramid did not help because the base of the pyramid contained foods that are not healthy.

The recently modified food pyramid based on the Harvard School of Public Health’s modification is better. The base of the pyramid recommends daily exercises and weight control. This is an important component of health maintenance. Exercise is an antidepressant and hence in addition to making you physically healthy and helping you maintain or lose weight, it prepares you mentally to follow healthy eating habits through its effect as an antidepressant.

The second level is whole grains at most meals and plant oils such as peanut, olive, corn and granola. The third level consists of vegetable in abundance and fruits 2 to 3 times a day. The fourth level consists of nuts and legumes to be eaten about 1-3x per day followed by fish, poultry and eggs 0 to 3 times daily. Take dairy or calcium supplements one to three times dairy.

The tip of the pyramid consists of white bread, potatoes and pasta that you should take sparingly. Daily vitamin supplements are useful. Drink alcohol in moderation. With this balanced diet and regular exercises, you should live a healthy life.

Reference: Healthy Eating Pyramid