Foods To Help Keep You Strong

Foods To Help Keep You Strong

I know all too well how the mind and/or our level of spiritual connection can positively or negatively affect your physical body.  However, this blog will focus on what foods can help keep you strong, in body, mind and spirit.

Food, and what you eat, is one way you can keep yourself strong in body, mind and spirit, together with meditation, exercise, fun, purpose, rest and sleep.  The right foods can help you recover after illness or surgery, improve your mood and concentration, help you perform better during exercise and feel stronger in your day-to-day life.

~ Eat mostly natural and nourishing foods – I read a quote, which I thought was great!  “If God made it, eat it; if man made it, don’t”  This is so true today with modern food processing and an abundance of processed, refined and junk foods.  Put simply, foods that God or nature made (real food) in their natural state – grass-fed meats, fish, eggs, beans, lentils, seaweeds, nuts, seeds, fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, green superfoods, fermented products and live natural yoghurts- all help to nourish you and keep you strong.  These foods are a foundation to health and contain vitamins, minerals, good fats, antioxidants and other healthy chemicals, which “feed” you nutritionally and boost your vitality, immunity and keep your organs and systems functioning well.

~ Limit processed, junk and refined foods– these can contain hormones, additives, trans fats, chemicals and preservatives.  These can destroy vitamins, minerals, essential fats and enzymes, all vital for health.  These foods can weaken your life force and may contribute to a sense of diminished strength in mind, body, and spirit.

~ Watch your intake of stimulants – we all have different tolerance levels, but too much sugary foods and drinks, alcohol or caffeine can really upset how you feel in body and mind.  Initially, you may feel a buzz, then get a slump, feeling shaky, tearful, low in energy, confused, and with poor concentration. Over time, these foods and drinks can deplete your vitality and rob you of nutrients.  If you feel physically wobbly, have blood sugar crashes and feel low in energy and mood, this can adversely affect your physical health as well as your mind and spirit.

Today, many people have a carb-heavy diet, including cakes, chocolate, cereals, bread, sugary drinks, rice, and pasta. Too many carbs can cause severe blood sugar imbalances, leading to weight gain, affecting your ability to concentrate, and negatively affecting your mood.  Small portions of carbs need to be balanced with protein, plenty of veggies, and good fats (oily fish, nuts, seeds, avocados, coconut oil, olive oil, flaxseed and walnut oils, chia seeds, etc.).

 Food allergies or intolerances can weaken your body and energy system, affecting how you feel in your physical body and your mind.  Food intolerances can contribute to weight gain, mood disorders, anxiety, digestive symptoms, headaches and muscle aches, to name a few.  If you think you may have food intolerances, you could keep a diary to monitor the foods you eat and any physical or mental symptoms that arise.  Common food intolerances are dairy, wheat, corn, chocolate, nuts and eggs.

Magic Minerals– these come from whole and unprocessed foods and give our bodies structure and strength. For example, calcium and magnesium are needed for a strong skeleton; iron to ensure the body is properly oxygenated and able to function.  When your iron levels are good, you feel more energised and stronger.  Chromium is needed to balance blood sugar and keep you stable in body and mind.

Many other vitamins, minerals and herbs can help enhance and strengthen our mind, body and spirit.  Rhodiola Rosea is an adaptogenic herb that I have used myself and with many of my clients. This plant is native to Russia and Scandinavia, and being “adaptagenic” means it can help strengthen your resistance and your ability to adapt to stress. The Vikings depended on this herb to enhance physical strength and endurance! It can also increase serotonin levels and thus help people with low mood and Seasonal Affective Disorder.  It may also help strengthen the nervous system, increase memory and attention span, enhance immunity, boost stamina and reduce fatigue. Research has also shown Rhodiola’s ability to aid muscle recovery after intensive exercise.  If you have any medical conditions or high blood pressure, always check with your GP before taking it.

Universal energies are changing – many people are going through internal and spiritual shifts.  During such times, people can feel lost, off balance and shaky, develop food intolerances and have energy issues. Eating clean, nourishing foods can help you feel more stable and grounded. When you clean up your system with healthy foods and supplements, gently remove some toxins and cleanse your system, you can have a clearer, more focused mind and a stronger spiritual connection. 

Here are my Top Tips to Help You Feel Strong:

• – Balance your blood sugar to help keep you strong and stable in mind and body.  Eat regularly, have some protein at each meal (meat, fish, eggs, dairy, beans, lentils, tofu, nuts/seeds, protein powders) and plenty of non-starchy veggies. If you tolerate carbs well, you might also benefit from a small amount of good-quality grains, e.g., brown rice, quinoa, or oats.
• – Try some quinoa instead of rice or pasta. Quinoa is a food of the Aztecs of South America, and, like the Vikings, they were known for their strength. Quinoa is high in protein and rich in vitamins and minerals, including iron, potassium, B vitamins, and magnesium. Quinoa is also gluten-free.
•   – Protein-rich foods can assist you in re-establishing and strengthening your connection to the earth and helping you ground.  Animal proteins are especially grounding (moderation is key). They can help balance and strengthen your root chakra, provide a strong foundation, and support your adrenal glands, which regulate your stress/fight-or-flight system.
• – Try some protein-rich smoothies for snacks or part of a meal – put protein powder, e.g. whey, pea or hemp, into a blender with some milk (e.g. organic cows, almond, soya, coconut) and add whatever you fancy, such as berries, pear, coconut flakes, nuts, tahini, seeds, chia seeds, ground flaxseeds and enjoy a healthy, strengthening boost.

In summary, you can feel physically stronger through good food choices and great lifestyle choices, such as exercise and rest.  This can go a long way to strengthening your body, mind, and spiritual connection and move towards what many of us want- inner peace.

Anne Cross is a qualified, experienced nutritionist practising in Edinburgh, UK. She has now retired.

Click here for Anne's website.

Anne has also written a great book called From Stressed to Blessed: Overcoming Anxiety and Low Mood with Minor Lifestyle Changes. 

Thanks, Anne, for all the great work you do 🙏🏼