Substitute – we frequently use the term to describe an individual who is taking the place of the original starter or the full-time employee typically assigned to the role. A substitute is essential to help keep the process going until the original plan can be restored. There are times when a substitute may prove to be helpful enough to become part of the permanent plan, but in the case of employment, the substitute will need to update credentials or sign a new contract to become part of the new plan.
In terms of how your body works, what is part of the “original plan” and what is a substitute? The original plan is the body chemistry that works day in and day out to keep everything in balance and functioning well. Your body requires protein, fat, sugar, vitamins, minerals, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water in specific quantities each day to function well. These are the team members of the “original plan.” Anything else should be recognized as a substitute.
In our modern food culture, there are many items found in the grocery store that are presented as food but are really “substitutes” that seem to fill a space on our dietary plan but do not keep up well with your body requirements. You can read the ingredient labels on many of these items and recognize quickly that this item is not a member of the “original plan.” You might even try to read the ingredient label and not be able to pronounce half of the words on the list, which is a good test to evaluate whether it a true food or not. What items would you identify as substitutes in the American food culture?
Soda pop contains no fat, vitamins, or minerals. Typically this “food” is described as empty calories because there is no nutrient value provided at all. This is a substitute for drinking water. Drinking soda pop excites our tongue and may help some indigestion but also corrodes the teeth and weakens the bones. The ingredient list may include high fructose corn syrup, caramel coloring, and phosphoric acid. Diet pop may include aspartame, which has been identified as a possible cancer-causing chemical by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Artificial Sweeteners have been promoted as a substitute for sugar but your body will process these chemicals differently and the result can be harmful. NutraSweet and Equal are well known substitutes with the primary ingredient being aspartame. Aspartame is 200 times sweeter than regular sugar and provides none of the important support that sugar can provide. In addition to the cancer risk, evidence has been presented that aspartame and sucralose increase heart disease. Sugar alcohols like erythritol and sorbitol have been popular substitutes for sugar, but these also have been connected to increased heart disease and cancer risk. The World Health Organization has recommended removing artificial sweeteners from regular food intake.
Low-fat foods have been promoted as a healthy substitute for regular whole fat foods but after 50 years of low-fat options on the grocery shelves America has greater health issues than ever before. In order for a low-fat food to taste good and to sell well more sugar needs to be added to the product. When you remove the fat that naturally exists, you also remove vitamins such as Vitamin D and Vitamin A. Whole fat foods deliver greater vitamin content and aid the body in slowing the absorption of sugar to reduce sugar spikes. Research from the 1930s identified whole fat food sources as the key food items that helped cultures around the world to thrive. Dr. Weston Price provided published records in “Nutrition and Physical Degeneration” noting how a culture that moved away from whole fat foods declined in health.
Plant based meats have been promoted as a climate-friendly and healthy substitute for your daily protein needs. While plants can provide some protein and are useful in our daily consumption, the products presented as meat substitutes do not qualify as a healthy alternative. These products do not contain the full protein spectrum found in real meat and often are missing some of the vitamins as well. Some meat substitutes will use plant oils that are high in Omega-6 fatty acids, an ingredient that Americans already consume too much of. If you want to enjoy a plant-based meal containing protein then beans or portabella mushrooms are a good direction to go.
The original plan for your healthy body includes protein, fat, sugar, vitamins, minerals, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water. When your health is declining you should check to see which of these “players” in the original plan may need reinforcement. Your body is asking for more nutrients. Every health challenge you face in the year ahead has a nutritional answer to it. Your health challenge can be successfully addressed with a quality nutrition plan.
Join me on Saturday, May 10, 2025 for the Northfield Holistic Health Summit. The theme this year is “Healthy Nerves, Healthy Brain.” Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Jeff Kotulski presenting “Mind Games” – addressing cognitive health as we age. Nine additional speakers and multiple vendors will be part of the day. Tickets are $45, which includes a healthy lunch catered by Café Shawn. More information is available at https://www.nutritionproportion.net/healthsummit2025
Contact me to discuss your health goals for the coming year. I can help you realize greater health freedom in 2025. You can contact me at nutritionproportion@gmail.com, or check out my website at www.nutritionproportion.net
