My Nutrient-Dense Diet is Vinidcated

Howdy! Long time, no see. I've spent the past several months in deep undercover researching schools, managing two very bright and barely controllable kids, and drinking quietly in a dark corner of my bedroom. But I decided it was time to stop wallowing in self-pity for a little bit and let you guys know about a big piece of news...no, I'm not pregnant, didn't win the lottery, haven't run off with my young, hot yoga instructor (she actually is young and hot...but I don't swing that way). Instead, I had my annual physical run with all the bells and whistles including the very critical blood tests (lipids, among other things). The last time I did this was, well, last year...and the results were not the greatest. This is partly why I decided to change my diet to nutrient dense foods: grass-fed, free-range meats and dairy; no soy; no vegetable oils except EVOO (that's Rachael Ray slang for extra virgin olive oil. I'm embarrassed I even know); hugely reduced refined carb intake; and too many more to list. Anyway, I was pretty excited/nervous to get the results from this year's tests. Either the whole nutrient dense diet is a load of horseshit and put me on the verge of an imminent heart attack OR it actually works and all that money I've been throwing at Whole Foods and food co-ops has been worth every dime.

You probably already know the results...based on the title of this post. So yes, I'm in MUCH better shape. My lipid panel was pretty darned good (for those of you not in the know, this is the test they run to see how your cholesterol is doing along with some other stuff your doc might throw in like fertility, hormones, blood sugar, and what not). My good cholesterol is through the roof. My "bad" cholesterol is within normal range. But most importantly, my homocysteine levels (MUCH more important than cholesterol levels) is within normal range and has improved since last year. My blood sugar is fantastico and I am at 0% risk of developing a metabolic syndrome like diabetes and the like. I also had my overall nutrient levels tested (this is a test that checks to see how you're doing on basic vitamins and minerals. I am just slightly deficient on two: B12 and A...but I was already deficient on these last year and my percentage has dramatically improved so I'm headed in the right direction. My vitamin D is off the charts (in a good way). There's much more but suffice it to say, I'm a lot healthier than someone who barely moves and ate Stouffer's mac 'n cheese and sugar straight from the bag for a big chunk of her childhood has any right to be.

In case you didn't hear me loud and clear before via my multiple food-related posts....please take a good, long look at your current diet and your overall health and ask yourself some tough questions about what you eat and why. There's a very strong chance if you have a weak immune system (get sick a lot and you don't spend a lot of time with kids or, god forbid, have an autoimmune disease), suffer from gastro-intenstinal issues (AKA farting, heartburn, or constipation), have any skin issues, have a weight problem, suffer from mood disorders (including PMS), have allergies, and generally feel like shit...a lot of what's plaguing you can be resolved to some degree by changing what and how you eat. I'm not claiming a nutrient-dense diet is going to cure cancer...but I have seen the impact it has on myself, my extended family, and my friends. Give it a try...the worst that could happen is it's not for you and you move on.

Here's a few articles to help you figure out where to start: