Health, Diet, Nutrition and Lifestyle Coaching

Health
According to the World Health Organisation, “health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Therefore to maintain our physical health, we need to have a plentiful supply of fresh nutritious food, regular exercise and an adequate amount of refreshing and restorative sleep each night. The fundamentals for emotional health and social well being include a supportive and nurturing family, school and community environment to develop our self esteem and sense of belonging and natural talents so that we can meaningfully contribute to society and live fulfilling lives for the highest good of all concerned.

In today’s fast paced life, it is convenient to hand over the responsibility for our health to doctors and allied health professionals hoping for a “magic cure” that will provide a quick fix all our ailments. However, the fact remains that our health is an individual responsibility which we cannot afford to give away.

The cornerstone of good health and emotional well-being begins with proper nutrition. Unfortunately, complacency and ignorance about good nutrition has resulted in children’s diets in particular, being totally out of sync with our genetic heritage.

Diet and Nutrition
“Do you know what breakfast cereal is made of? It’s made of all those little curly wooden shavings you find in pencil sharpeners!”
Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Our western diets consist of eating larger food servings, consuming a lot of convenience and take away foods, we snack more on chips, lollies, snack bars, soft drinks and energy drinks. All of these items are: highly processed, contain artificial ingredients or made from genetically modified ingredients, use preservatives, salt and fillers, high in sugar, contain trans fatty acids (bad fats), have been sprayed with pesticides, gassed or irradiated. These foods are high in calories, contain very little nutrition and are simply unhealthy and toxic for our bodies. Increased levels of toxicity can have the following effects on one’s health: allergies, food and chemical sensitivities, diabetes and obesity.

Food Intolerances
Our bodies reaction to coping with these toxins is to react and so we develop food intolerances  or sensitivities. Eliminating these foods can make an enourmous difference to the general well being and quality of life to those that suffer food intolerances.  At Learning Discoveries we are now offer a quick and reliable food intolerance test and results are available on the same day.

As a direct result of their unhealthy diets and lifestyles, “many children are now expected to die before their parents.”¹ So what we eat, drink and breathe is the foundation of good health, physical development and ensuring our brain is functioning at its optimum IQ level.² Therefore, inadequate physical activity, leisure time spent watching TV and playing computer games, consuming nutrient poor, but calorie rich food does not equate to a healthy lifestyle!!

According to Hypocrites (460-370 BC) “All diseases begin in the gut.” The Gut and Psychology (GAP) syndrome is used to describe children who often fall into the gap in the medical knowledge between nutrition, behaviour and learning problems.³ Autism, ADD / ADHD, learning difficulties, dyslexia, dyspraxia, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, behavioural and psychiatric disorders are dramatic examples of the gut-brain connection.

So by changing to a diet of wholesome foods, eliminating allergy provoking foods, doing lots of exercise and consuming water form the basis of providing a healthy lifestyle and diet for our growing children’s needs. This coupled with staying well informed and making wise food choices not only helps our children grow strong and also lays the foundation for healthy choices throughout their entire life.

Lifestyle Coaching
Managing stress and eliminating unproductive thought patterns are also essential for emotional health and well being. At Learning Discoveries, we use holistic approaches to help you take responsibility for your own health and well being.

References
1. Hungerford, C. (2006): “Good Health in the 21st Century- A Family Doctor’s Unconventional Guide”.
Scribe, Melbourne, Australia.
2. Richardson, A (2006): “They are what you feed them”, Harper Thorsons, London, UK.
3. Campbell- McBride, N (2005): “Gut and Psychology Syndrome”, Medinform Publishing, London, UK.

For more information or to make an appointment please send an email or contact use on (02) 9639 7778 during business hours.