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In this episode, we’re joined by Leanne’s nutritionist, Alexandra Rock. Alexandra learned about the importance of nutrition from a young age and has always been interested in the role food plays in health. Now, she helps people eat in a way that fuels their bodies and promotes optimal health.
Topics Discussed In This Episode:
What food means to Alexandra.
How Alexandra’s approach to food has changed over time.
What happens when you eat the standard American diet.
Alexandra’s position on a plant-based diet.
The two types of fibre and the best sources.
The relationship between food and your mood.
Where a large amount of serotonin is produced.
How our bodies are like an orchestra.
Foods that contain building blocks for serotonin.
How nutritional needs change throughout the life cycle.
Why Alexandra looks to our ancestors for nutritional guidance.
The nutrients you should be supplementing.
The calculation to help you figure out how much protein you need.
The types of tests that can reveal which nutrients you may be lacking.
Key Takeaways:
Alexandra believes food should bring joy and fuel the soul as well as the body.
From a young age, Alexandra witnessed the power of nutrition. Her father was a doctor who worked in disaster and war zones. He had a heart attack due to his poor diet, so he ended up changing his diet entirely.
Plants contain all three important macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fat) as well as fibre, which we need for optimal function.
If your body doesn’t have the right fuel and nutrients, it can influence your brain and your mood. Stable blood sugar levels and micronutrients are crucial for healthy brain function.
Chicken, turkey, dairy products, and nuts and seeds contain tryptophan, which is a building block for serotonin. Serotonin is important for sleep, so eating tryptophan-rich foods can help promote a healthy sleep cycle.
The best sources of protein include beans, lentils, tofu, and fish. There’s a theory that our ancestors developed larger brains thanks to the protein available from the sea.
Micronutrients, like vitamins and minerals, are very important to overall function. Vitamin D and B vitamins, in particular, are very important to mood.
Leaky gut is a condition in which the gut wall becomes permeable. When the gut wall becomes compromised, it can result in allergies and autoimmune conditions.
Action Steps:
Alexandra’s nutrition tips:
- Choose foods that fuel you in both body and mind.
- Eat a highly plant-based diet with healthy sources of protein.
- Consume foods that contain building blocks for serotonin.
- Find out which nutrients you may be lacking and supplement accordingly.
Alexandra said:
“I saw the power of what you eat to either make you sick or to make you well, and that’s been really formative in the way I eat and the way I brought my children up to eat.”
“I really believe that a lot of people will present to their GP with fatigue and depression, for example, and that the GP may then prescribe antidepressants or that kind of medication and overlook the fact that food may be a big factor in the symptoms that are presenting.”
Links To Things Mentioned In The Podcast:
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