Healing Through Food
I named my business The Holistic Chef because my mission has always been to create meals from whole, natural ingredients that make my clients feel their best .
Chefs come from a variety of disciplines and each one of us has his/her own unique style. Some chefs love to cook Italian food. Other chefs focus on sustainability or budget-friendly cuisine. My specialization is cooking for people with medically necessary diets, who require nutritional support to achieve their health goals and heal from major illnesses.
I chose this path because I was sick for a very long time, and mainstream doctors couldn’t find anything wrong with me. All my joints hurt, I had headaches every day, and I just felt so terrible all the time. Every doctor told me my bloodwork "looked fine" and to get more exercise and eat better.
After years of searching for answers, I finally found a holistic nutritionist who looked at my diet to discover the source of my problems. Removing gluten and dairy turned out to be the miracle I’d been looking for. All of my symptoms began to disappear and I felt better than I had in years. This set into motion a new path for me that involved cooking to heal, otherwise known as culinary medicine.
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” – Hippocrates.
What Is Culinary Medicine?
Culinary medicine is a practice that supports the body in its natural healing and recovery processes through whole and natural foods. It focuses on “crowding out” the foods that are causing inflammation and adding in more nutrient-rich ones. Every body is different, so not every food is perfect or “healthy” for every person. The nuance is to find the foods that your body loves, that don’t promote inflammation or symptoms and leave you feeling your best.
We’re now learning more than ever, and I’m living proof, that the food you eat can absolutely change everything. That also goes for what you DON'T eat. There is incredible power in the foods that you choose NOT to eat because of how poorly they make you feel.
Navigating these foods choices along with food allergies or recovering from a health crisis can be a very daunting process. There are a lot of mixed messages and food claims out there. I believe in starting simply with basic principles that will help boost your immune system, energy and overall well being. Here is where I would suggest you start on your culinary medicine journey.
How To Heal Through Food
Slowly remove common allergens and known inflammatory foods, like gluten, soy and dairy, from your diet. (My blog is filled with great recipes to help you along.) Take one food at a time if you need to, so that you can adjust and find healthy replacements in your meals.
Replace sugars and chemically-derived treats with natural sweeteners and homemade desserts.
If you eat meat, purchase the best quality that you can. I opt for organic and grass-fed animal products as much as possible.
Fill half of your plate with fresh vegetables—and reduce your pesticide consumption by opting for organics.
Eat in season. Look for what’s most abundant in your area… nature always knows best! Those leafy greens will taste better if they are in season.
Avoid eating raw foods if your digestion is sluggish. Gently cooked foods and soothing soups are easier on your system.
Drink plenty of clean, filtered water throughout the day. A good rule is to consume half of your body weight in ounces.
By making the changes above, you are reducing the stress on your digestive system and reducing sources of inflammation. As you make each change, you may feel the difference. Bloating and digestive issues may lessen. Your energy may improve. Your brain fog may lessen. If you feel no different, then the next step would be an elimination diet.
Do an Elimination Diet if Necessary
Not every food is bad for everyone. Gluten and dairy are causes of issues for many people, but that does not mean they are bad for everyone. If you are experiencing symptoms that are being caused by food, and you can’t tell which food it is, an elimination diet is a good next step.
An elimination diet is the process of taking out the main inflammatory foods and known allergens and then slowly reintroducing them one at a time. I’ve written a book on how to do it. This is a self guided book so you can take yourself through all of the steps. You can find the “How to Survive An Elimination Diet” book here.
Increase your Nutrition Knowledge
There are incredible nutrition certifications available online now where you can deepen your understanding of how your digestion works and what aging "should" look like. I went to the Nutritional Therapy Association and completed their certification program back in 2016, which also helps inform how I cook. I combine my culinary training along with my nutrition education to help people eat in a way that supports their health.
Find a Guide to Help
Most importantly, get help if you need it. After years of navigating my health issues alone, my mission now is to support others in their healing journeys and teach them how to love food again. To show them how I found healing through food. Check out my upcoming classes here, and perhaps my 30 Day Nutrition Makeover could set you on the right path.
Watch my Proof Talk, “Food Can Heal”, on stage in Media, Pennsylvania
click on the picture below to play
