You are what you eat.

My premise for optimizing healthy eating is that one man's food is another man's poison, and what works at one stage in your life may not work in another. This makes nutrition a complex, evolving dominion that requires tremendous awareness.

Despite these variables I have found some common themes in the nutrition world that seem to be good rules of thumb for all humans to follow. I have combined these nutritional axioms into what I call the generic diet.

Even the healthiest people can find food that is more cleansing, more healing and more flavorful. It is a matter of becoming aware of your bodies signals regarding how foods affect your energy balances.

Here are some of the generic diet basics.

A major focus should be on what we call primary food. This consists of your career, relationships, physical activity and spirituality. These aspects of your life should be fed and balanced. Sometimes not feeling good or performing at your best isn't just about not eating enough broccoli. These areas are crucial for your self-support and creative energy.

Another thing that seems to be agreed upon in all of the major and even conflicting diet programs is that we should all eat more vegetables. Vegetables add a great deal of flavor variety to your meals, and they offer a necessary and abundant combination of nutrients.

Make sure your food is organic. Lengths may be written on why we must eat organic. Here are some reasons I find personally compelling. But first we need to define organic. In scientific terms organic simply means containing carbon which is found in all living things. However, in nature there are some organic substances which are extremely toxic. In agricultural terms organic means that things are grown without the use of dangerous chemicals. To grow food without the chemical manipulating of modern industrial agriculture takes a series of methods that require regulation to ensure that consumers know what to expect. A few years ago these standards were regulated by independent certifiers. Organic has since made a shift to USDA regulation--which is good--to provide some uniformity to the standards as the mainstream shifts towards organic. The negative of this shift is that organic has lost some of it's essence as corporate corruption manipulates, bends and works around regulations. The simple definition of organic that I prefer is a method of growing that leaves the land better off then when you began.

One of the problems with non-organic food is that, technically, you can grow many vegetables with heavy applications macro-nutrient fertilizers while leaving the soil and produce void of life's essential micro-nutrients. This is like building a Hollywood-set house that looks like the real thing but is lacking in the common essentials. Doesn't make for very nutritious food. In fact you may find that your body needs to steal stored micro nutrients from itself to balance out and digest the unbalanced food we consume.

Another major problem is that the toxic chemicals used to kill plant pests also have an effect on humans. Insects are animals, and the most common pesticides are nerve toxins that affect all animals. In fact some of the same toxins we fear being used in a WMD attack are the ones being used to grow pest-free produce. There is the germ theory that believes in killing all germs to rid sickness. We now know it doesn't work like that. There is in fact a micro ecosystem consisting of beneficial microorganisms as well as a few detrimental ones. The objective is to cultivate optimal conditions for positive microorganisms, and this task is defeated with the use of fungicides and herbicides. The germ theory shows us the relevant need for basic hygiene, but a much more pertinent theory in modern living is that overuse of hazardous chemicals in our food and environment is causing an increase of incidents with disease.

Part of the problem is that hazardous chemicals we use in agriculture are given a safety rating known as an LD50. This refers to the lethal dose concentration needed to kill 50% of a tested population. This method is good for testing acute toxicity, but it doesn't account for the broad scale poisoning we face. LD50 tells us that as long as we use a chemical at a safe concentration, follow safety procedures, wait a few days after application before consumption and rinse our vegetables, we'll be safe from toxic effects. There is a teacup theory that reflects our capacity to handle toxicity as the teacup with toxins being the tea. The addition of new and varying toxins fill the cup beyond capacity irrespective of a single acute poisoning leading to illness.

As an athlete who strives to fine tune my nervous system I think I will pass on the nerve- toxin-laden vegetables. As a activist I find it offensive that our food is treated in such a way, and even worse is how we're lied to about it's safety. It's also disrespectful to humanity and mother earth to use such chemicals harming the land, harming workers and harming consumers. These chemicals also require fossil fuels in their production, and they simply aren't necessary. I vote with my dollar and buy organic. It's cheaper than health insurance.

Some foods are considered more important to buy organic than others. There is an actual rating, but you can also just look and figure. Things like raspberries and lettuce look like potential chemical sponges, so I prefer to always buy them organic. Other things, like oranges or bananas, sort of have a natural wrapper protecting them from chemical applications. On the other hand, this natural wrapper also lends itself to more serious chemical applications under the assumption that the edible portion is protected. Many exotic fruits are imported from places where chemical processes are loosely regulated at best.

Procure fresh grass-fed red meat and vegetarian-fed poultry. Make sure your meat is free of growth hormones and antibiotics. Growth hormones are given to livestock to produce more meat per animal, but you are what you eat. It doesn't take a big study to tell us we shouldn't be eating meat that is given growth hormones. Aside from the detriment this causes in the battle of the bulge, these growth hormones also promote the growth of unwanted things, like tumors. Antibiotics are routinely given to animals in their feed so as to prevent disease outbreaks in the unsanitary, crowded quarters where the animals are confined. Overuse of antibiotics causes an expedited evolution of disease, which in turn causes organisms that lead to the super illnesses we fear.

The vegetarian debate is another discussion, but as a meat eater I would like my meat to be raised in a basic ethical fashion. Aside from the spiritual morality of raising livestock in an ethical and sustainable fashion there are also health benefits. As well as the unhealthy practices listed above, modern livestock production is also a stressful, torturous process for the animals. Again, you are what you eat. If you saw many of the animals we eat in their living conditions, where they are pleasantly prepared for us, you would be disgusted. I have seen these living conditions, and it would not be wise to simply turn off these images in denial of what we ingest. They actually have cases of poultry dying of heart attacks from their sickly lifestyle. Animals are overcrowded, leading to unsanitary conditions and the presence of disease. Poultry animals are tossed and handled in ways that break their limbs. Animals are beaten. If everyone were to see this, we'd all have a natural instinct to avoid eating such an animal. However, the process is veiled from common life. As for hormones, these tortured animals are full of unwanted stress hormones of the worst kind,which I'd rather not ingest.

Eggs should be vegetarian-fed, cage-free, organic with omega-3's. Eggs are a good source of protein, and the yolk is full of good fats and amino acids. Do not overcook the yolk. You may find that there are many different egg options, most of which meet a few of my listed stipulations. The eggs that meet the entire list may cost more, but for a good reason. The omega-3's are important amino acids and their presence in the eggs means the chickens are fed well. Cage-free should mean that the chicken is raised in sunshine and fresh air, with an opportunity to forage on a diversity of wildlife. Sometimes chickens need to be brought in for protection from inclement weather or predators, but some companies have taken advantage of this indoor allowance by giving the chickens the bare minimum of cage-free time. Check your sources.

I think it is particularly important to get organic dairy because the high fat content is more likely to hold chemicals and hormones. All humans are lactose intolerant, so dairy should be had in moderation. I like to alternate between organic milk, rice milk, almond milk, cottage cheese and yogurt. Cultured milk is supposed to support digestion and overall health. From what I've seen raw milk seems to be a superfood, but it is also illegal in most states because of serious health risks. It would have to be extremely fresh as well.

Seeds and nuts are a great addition for most people's diets. Avoid roasted and salted in exchange for raw and organic. Store properly and try to use fresh. Seeds and nuts are a good source of healthy fats, essential amino acids, enzymes and proteins. I like to go a step further and sprout seeds and nuts. I use seeds and nuts with dehydrated fruits in trail mixes that provide all the necessary extra energy needed for a day without snacking on junk.

While carbohydrates should be avoided in excess, a good balance of carbohydrates is necessary in a diet to provide adequate energy or fuel. People respond to different balances based on lifestyle and genetics.

Grains are a main source of carbohydrates in our diets. Many people do not digest grains well. They could try different grains, as well as sprouted grains, which seem to cause less allergic reaction.

Another big issue is Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs being used as food. If I remember correctly, something like 80% of grains can be expected to be GMO in the USA. The basic argument is that foods are being modified for nutritional content as well as agricultural resilience, but the concern is that modifications are being made with profit as a priority, with minimal emphasis on human and environmental impacts. Organisms get modified in nature through radiation, necessary adaptation and sharing of DNA in an environment. It clearly seems that the emperor wears no clothes and that the motives of corporate agricultural businesses are profit based. Their ethical practices are questionable at best, and often heinous, in my opinion. They tout GMOs as a potential solution to world hunger while their practices steal from the land and the people. The problem of world hunger has less to do with lack of resources and more to do with unfair distribution of resources. Again, thank you but no thank you, I'll pass on the GMO produce.

One thing that seems to be agreed upon in the nutritional community is the benefit of Essential Fatty Acids or EFAs in a diet. Essential fatty acids are essential because they cannot be produced in the body itself. We need to get these essentials from our food or supplements. Some of the common foods that contain these essentials are fish, grains, seeds & nuts, eggs, avocados and leafy vegetables. These essentials building blocks necessary for a strong immune system and tissue repair. They are often overshadowed in improper diet plans by protein.

Another agreed-upon essential is minerals. These can be procured in supplement form, usually derived from the ocean or from vegetables. Organic produce should be rich in mineral content, particularly leafy vegetables and ocean vegetables like seaweed.

I am not writing much about amino acids and minerals here, but they are simple supplements that go a long way. Make sure you get enough of them in your diet for healthy body composition and disease resistance.

Be sure to look for locally sourced foods. When someone comes to me saying they want to lose weight, they don't won't to hear about how their vegetables cause global warming, but the fact is that fossil fuel use and pollution caused by shipping our food around the world is bad for our collective health. Even if you're on that non-believer side of the global warming debate, the real issue is the fact that we're destroying our environment in an unsustainable fashion, and this is a fact not subject to debate. On top of the political and environmental reasons to buy locally it should also prove good for your health. Man is always looking for the magic bullet panacea, the pill to cure everything. But nature has already given us magic pills called fruits and vegetables. Nature has even gone a step further by providing various produce at different periods in the year to accommodate seasonal climatic needs. In winter we are given root vegetables with their stored energy to get us through the light harvest of winter. In spring we get cleansing sprouts and greens. In summer we have cooling fruits. You'll find that the seasonal properties of your foods will affect your seasonal energy and health. Buying local supports the local economy, helps build communities, increases sustainability, increases freshness and makes it easier to know where your food is coming from.

The concept of superfoods is getting more popular. All organic food is super, but this term refers to foods that are particularly nutrient dense. These foods are generally acceptable in all humans. Here is a basic list of some things I consider to be superfoods:

1.Sardines – these small fish are less likely to contain the toxins accumulated in fish higher on the food chain. They are full of EFAs and protein. Get the ones that still have skin and bones for maximum mineral and nutritional benefit.
2.Other great fish like salmon, mackerel and cod.
3.Garlic – thought to be a generally invigorating and an overall panacea.
4.Ezekiel bread – this bread is made from sprouted grains. The sprouts make this a flourless bread less associated with the negative affects of flour based carbohydrates.
5.Broccoli
6.Sweet potatoes
7.Blueberries
8.Kombucha
9.Cacao - raw chocolate beans
10.Spirulina
11.Blue Green algae
12.Bee pollen – check for fresh source. Be wary of allergic reaction.
13.Raw milk
14.Sprouts – full of life and cleansing.
15.Goji berries

I could make this list longer, as well as write and research the listed items more. Again all foods are super but consider the idea of superfoods as you look for better options and diversity in your diet, as well as optimization of the calorie/nutrition ratio as you strive for peak performance.

Take your time in the preparation and eating of your food, whether you're looking to gain or lose weight or just trying to stay healthy. Modern living is very fast-paced, and this may throw your health and eating practices off balance. Slow down to gain a stronger awareness of what you really need and how what you ingest affects you. Chew your food to prevent choking and assist assimilation. Taste the flavors, notice how it makes you feel.

Love what you eat. Especially in America you will encounter all types of diets. Much of the world is on the eat-what-they-can diet. It is a luxury to have all of the options presented before us. Perhaps in America more than the rest of the industrialized world you see a wide array of fad diets because our culture tends to prefer quick fix solutions. In this age of body image issues and eating disorders that I've studied I learned that there is a name for an unhealthy eating habit I had called orthorexia. This term means that I was trying to eat healthy foods to the point of fault. No matter what my expenses were I'd spend my entire paycheck on organic goods leading to imbalanced finances. When left with less than healing foods to eat I would starve. When I'd actually succumb to a non-health food temptation I would perhaps be disgusted with what I was eating. This perception was unbalanced and unhealthy. Be grateful and love what you choose to eat. This appreciation and reverence can potentially alter the DNA and healing properties of your food. At the least, this approach will force you to pay more attention and make better choices.

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