Bring Native Nutrition Principles to Your Summertime BBQ
by Dr. April Gilliom, Naturopathic Physician and Health Education Lifestyle Coach
Summer Time BBQ’s are a time to come together and enjoy time with the people with whom we share our lives, and to share favorite foods. It’s a time we can eat with good intention.
The Salish People, in collaboration with several Native organizations, developed a collection of “Native Nutrition Principles.” The Healthy Living Team likes to engage with these principles in the work we do with “food as medicine.” Two of the seven principles are:
- Eat more plants
- Eat with good intention
These practices support healthy digestion, a key driver of overall health and longevity. With digestion, food is broken down into parts to fuel cells, support the microbiome, and release essential nutrients to restore health every day. Our bodies are busy inside, rapidly moving through biochemical processes that make the life happen. It’s a beautiful day when we bring plenty of wholesome foods to share with the people we love, enjoying good nourishment, together.
Bring These Principles to Summer BBQs:
- Bring plant-rich sides to share, such as Tabouli salad, Edamame Dip, and Marinated Tofu.
- Pause for a moment, honoring together, the animals and plants that will be nourishing the body and spirit.
- Rest and eat slowly, appreciating the time and flavors involved in the prepared recipes.
This article comes to you from Cow Creek Health and Wellness Center Dietetics and Healthy Living Team Please reach out to our Lifestyle Coaches for ways to learn more about the power of food as medicine. (541) 672-8533, option #2
