Reconnecting with Nature: Returning to the Basics of Nutrition

During a recent nutrition coaching session, my client asked for a grocery list, meal ideas, and recipes to improve his cognitive function, boost his energy level, increase muscle mass, and enhance his overall well-being. As we talked, I realized something striking: he, like so many of us, couldn't name what foods are in season right now—yet he was remarkably well-informed about the latest supplement research, findings, and products. That moment made me pause and shift our conversation entirely. We need to return to the basics of nutrition.

My fundamental nutrition advice is simple: eat whole, unprocessed foods, preferably organic. Choose wild seafood from unpolluted waters. Select animal products from pasture-raised animals, ideally grazing on chemical-free land. Eat local and seasonal fruits vegetables, preferably organic. When using grains, legumes, and nuts, prepare them properly through soaking. These are the foundations of nourishing ourselves well.

Yet from supermarket layouts to food marketing campaigns, consumers are constantly targeted to purchase specific products based on carefully designed appeals. You might be persuaded to buy gluten-free cookies and mistake them for health foods. Or perhaps you're drawn to cereals fortified with added vitamins promising to boost your immune system.

The supplement and diet industries thrive on confusion and trends. New companies emerge rapidly to capitalize on the latest crazes before they fade. In the last decade alone, I've witnessed countless waves: vitamin D supplementation, collagen, creatine; intermittent fasting, keto and carnivore diets, plant-based and vegan movements, and more.

The sheer number of products on the market is overwhelming, and the dramatic variations in quality have turned the supplement and diet industries into the Wild West. This often leads to alarming discoveries—like the report finding that protein powders and shakes tested positive for high levels of lead.

Nature, by contrast, is a cornucopia. It is the source that facilitates healing and promotes vitality. Like a dance partner, we must move in sync with it, gracefully and without stepping on its toes.

Here's one practical step you can take this week: visit your local farmers market. Talk to the vendors about their growing practices and what's currently in season. You'll learn a great deal from these conversations, and you might just discover inspiration for your next meal.

To get you started, let me share a seasonal recipe:

Zucchini Fenchel Suppe (Zucchini and Fennel Soup)
[Recipe link: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/255024/zucchini-fenchel-suppe-zucchini-and-fennel-soup/]

If you're navigating health challenges, food sensitivities, or working toward specific health or weight goals, I'm here to help. Schedule a discovery call or coaching session to explore how we can create a nutrition plan tailored to your unique needs and circumstances.

To good health,

Anthony Wong, L.Ac, NSCA-CPT
Licensed Acupuncturist | Personal Trainer | Holistic Nutrition Coach
Beacon, Cold Spring, NYC