The elementary science dictionary puts it in graphic terms,” What is ‘matter’? Mater is anything that takes up space!” It certainly lends a broader perspective to the book title Every Body Matters. We all take up space – some of us more than others.
Inspiration from the book and exercise from the fitness program are important. But your daily activity of eating may be the single biggest factor in shaping the size and health of your body matter. Yes, “Every Body Matters” and NUTRITION MATTERS TOO. In fact good nutrition is a very serious matter.
It is so important that Every Body Matters ONLINE offers this specially dedicated section to offer you information, resources, access to professionals and a space where you can share more good nutrition information with others (by adding a comment below).
Author Gary Thomas’ wife is very passionate about good nutrition. So read this Nutrition Matters Too section regularly for her contributions.
The reality is that overeating and obesity kill far more people than anorexia or exercise. In the book, author Gary Thomas shares the story of an overweight youth pastor named Mark. Mark’s story of gradual weight gain is an increasingly common one in North America. Mark’s parents never raised any issues about his eating. After he reached three hundred pounds no one in the church approached him out of loving concern for his health. He says, “We need to train young people to know that the way they are eating isn’t sustainable.”
One of the best ways to make good nutrition matter is to make it a family commitment. If you are not part of a family then find someone to join you in making a commitment to eat healthy.
Obesity is an increasingly severe problem in many communities. In some of these communities efforts are being made to bring greater awareness and focus on making changes. Often that focus is directed toward families. Read We’re #1 – A Spiritual Perspective On Leading The Way In Fatness And Fitness to see how one community in West Virginia has made an effort to pursue change.
To overcome obesity challenges in a family it is important that fathers lead by example. The resource Time To Eat – How Men Can Have The Courage To Cook-Up Good Nutrition And Family Fellowship offers men a variety of ideas to develop healthy nutrition habits.
Women also have a key role in promoting family nutrition. A mother’s touch in each meal can lay a solid foundation of healthy eating for children. In Lunch For The Heart And Soul women can find useful examples.
YOUR ULTIMATE ‘DIET’ GUIDE
The word ‘diet’ is often understood as a somewhat extreme but temporary change in eating. When the diet ends the learned bad eating habits begin — again. We encourage you to view diet as a for-the-rest-of-my-life commitment to healthy eating. Make every meal an act of communion. In The Low Down on Diets: The Good, the Bad, and What’s Best for You, Elliott Young introduces a thoughtful perspective on viewing a diet.
Diets come in all forms. Some can be quite good while others are ineffective. So, it is important to do your research and discuss progress and results with your health care provider. A regular dialog with a friend can also be helpful. Fasting is a practice that some do for health and dieting. Fasting can be a deeply spiritual practice too. Read The Fast Track to get a better understanding of the role fasting can play in your overall lifelong diet.
BASIC FOOD FACTS
You would think that since food and eating have been a continual part of the human experience, that we would fully understand both by now. Instead new insights are belng learned daily. New food options and methods of producing food (some of which are quite unhealthy) are being added regularly. So, it is important for you to take a lifelong learning approach to food. Realize that there is always something more to learn and apply to your diet.
While there is always more to learn, one thing is certain — the basics never go out of style. The more you can eat food as God originally created it, the healthier you will be. We encourage you to cultivate an appetite for raw and natural foods. As you Rewire Your Tastebuds for these authentic foods you can discover that healthy food can be tasty.
Along the way realize that every body responds differently to different foods. Learn how certain foods affect your body. For example, some people need to have a gluten-free diet to be healthy. If you are among this group of people then you can benefit from reading The Gluten-Free Diet, Have Faith It’s Flavorful.
Balance is often key to having a healthy diet. Today’s foods and eating tendencies are extremely out of balance with little fiber and nutrients. But if you eat totally fat-free you may be missing the ideal balance. Discover Why God Made Saturated Fat and be sure you know basic food facts.
SHOULD I USE NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS ?
Multi-vitamins can be one way to make sure your body is getting all the nutrients needed for general health. If you are truly eating healthy you likely don’t need vitamins. Vitamins from natural foods are typically absorbed well. So eating nutritious food is often better than taking a pill.
When you do physical training with an intentional focus to build muscle and gain increased strength then you may find that certain supplements typically associated with bodybuilding can be effective in helping you achieve your goals. For an introduction to some of the basics of ‘bodybuilding’ supplementation read the article 3 Supplements You Need To Stay Pumped. Supplements can be quite effective to supplement your diet. However supplements are not meant to replace nutritious foods.
WHEN EATING BECOMES A DISORDER
Throughout the book encouragement is offered to submit your eating to God. Keeping your appetite in order is an ideal that is attainable. However, when eating becomes a disorder it can become a tremendous spiritual battle. Don’t fight that battle alone. Get help for yourself or someone you know that needs help in this area of life. Ministries like the Remuda Ranch offer Hope For Emotional Eating.
NUTRITION PROFESSIONALS FROM FAITH & FITNESS MAGAZINE
One of the best ways to get help with your personal nutrition is to find someone that is well educated and trained in human nutrition. You’ll likely find someone in your local community. We provide you here with a short list of nutrition professionals that have contributed to Faith & Fitness Magazine:
– Jim White Fitness And Nutrition Studios
Because nutrition matters too we encourage you to really focus on what you eat as you exercise regularly and grow spiritually. Now take some time to add a new comment and review what others post. You’ll find recipes and other helpful information in the NUTRITION DEPARTMENT.
