A few months ago, I asked my Instagram audience how they wish they knew sooner about how to take care of their health. I’d really love to hear what you all have to say, so I’m going to share some of the answers here.
My motivation to ask twice. One is simple curiosity, the other is personal. Now that I’m a grandparent, I’m thinking more and more about how to get the Primal message across to younger generations so that they don’t have to spend their middle age or retirement years trying to fix it. problems could have been prevented. How do I (and indeed all of us) support parents who want to build a strong foundation of health for their children? What information and interventions will have the most impact on today’s youth?
While I like to think we’ve solved the problem with Mark’s Daily Apple, Primal Blueprint, and Primal Kitchen, there’s still a lot of work to be done to improve the well-being of the average person. I’m sharing these responses in the hopes of spurring more conversation, more brainstorming and, dare I say, more changes in the future.
Not surprisingly, the majority of the answers I receive can be summed up as, “I wish I hadn’t followed conventional wisdom.” Both you and me. What is that saying, when you know better, you do better? Live and learn. Anyway, I hope these get you thinking.
Question: “What do you wish you had known about health when you were young?”
A: Eat more protein instead of carbs.
So is “meat-free Monday” a good idea for a school lunch? (Sarcasm.)
A: Always think that processed food is good for health.
Who can blame you? For decades, the only medical advice for people struggling with metabolic health was to lose weight by cutting calories and eating less fat. (Unfortunately, that still seems to be the norm.) All foods marketed up to that point were processed, “portion-controlled,” and complete foods. not boring at all. We’ve all lied that these super-modified foods are better for us than the choices nature provides. Too bad those “diet foods” have been stripped of nutrients, fiber, healthy fats, and often protein. And oh, by the way, they tend to lead to eating more calories and losing less weight.
A: Trace matter.
Again, I blame the old “one calorie is one calorie” dogma, when the diet industry tries to convince us that 100 calories from broccoli is the same as a pack of low-fat chocolate chip cookies. 100 calories. Micronutrients decrease in a direction because calorie counting takes precedence over food quality.
A: Healthy fats are good.
Amen.
A: Meat is good for you.
Double amen.
A: That you can celebrate without food.
It is the good one. Look, I have no problem with food being part of the festival. It’s been the way throughout human history, and I will take every opportunity to enjoy a celebratory steak dinner with friends. But I’m opposed to celebrations, holidays or really any milestone becoming an excuse to engage in sugar-free trading. Many of you can attest to the fact that celebrations are like a celebration without too much panic — and pay for it the next day.
A: The benefits of fasting.
Interest in intermittent fasting has exploded over the past few years, not only with self-experimenters like me but also with an explosion of scientific research. I love watching it. Unfortunately, the wheel of science turns slowly, but I predict that IF will continue to pick up momentum as the results come in. We are just scratching the surface.
Q: “What do you wish you had started working on sooner?”
A: Strength training. / Heavy lifting. / As a woman, to lift heavier sooner.
One hundred percent yes, and it’s never too late to start. How do we get this fledgling muscle sooner? And not just for aesthetic purposes but to maximize metabolic health and lay the foundation for functional reserves as soon as possible?
A: Skip cardio, focus on strength training.
Might not completely ignore it, but definitely prioritize appropriately and avoid chronic cardiovascular disease.
A: Learn to cook.
Love this. Although I am someone who likes to try different restaurants and eat out, cooking at home has many advantages. Preparing your own food connects you to what you’re eating, starting with grocery shopping and carefully choosing what to bring home. Mastering basic kitchen skills will infuse you with a sense of autonomy and confidence that you can move on to other aspects of your life. Even if you’ve never been a gourmet chef, you may find yourself more motivated to engage in other healthy behaviors because you’ve taken the time to prepare the dishes. healthy, nutritious for yourself. Plus, it’s a great way to impress potential romantic partners.
A: Focus on adding nutrient-rich foods, not just eliminating them.
This is quite profound. Many health tips focus on cutting out harmful factors and behaviors. Stop smoking. Eat a little. Stop eating gluten. Even the Preliminary Blueprint starts with eliminating the “Big Three” of grains, excess sugar, and inflammatory fats. This step is important, but in the long run, focusing on avoiding harm can keep people on alert and even fearful that can be detrimental to themselves and lead to things like system.
Ideally, once you’re past the initial phase of eliminating unhealthy or unhelpful choices, your focus should be on building positive behaviors — always keeping an eye on where you’re going instead. for what you are leaving behind.
A: Flexibility and portability.
Absolutely, and not just for physical health. Practicing flexibility and mobility often has a meditative component. It would be better if you could make them a routine in the morning or at night.
A: Blood panel test.
It’s always a good idea to know your baselines, especially if you’re trying something new. Here are seven biomarkers that I think are worth keeping an eye on.
A: Walk every day.
Can not agree more.
A: Follow the Original Blueprint.
Can’t argue with that!
Question: “If you could give teens today one health advice, what would it be?”
A: Sleep is very important.
Not only important, important.
A: Get off your phone and get out more.
I confirm this wholeheartedly. “Quit social media“Is another popular topic among respondents, but that is probably not realistic for younger generations. Technology and social media are here to stay. (And there are good aspects to social media, but at least there are bad ones.) The more realistic goal is to moderate your use and be discerning about what you post and who you follow.
A: No smoking.
So does vaping.
A: Gut health is everything. It causes acne and mood swings.
The only piece of advice I remember as a teenager was to avoid greasy foods to prevent breakouts. Of course, we didn’t know anything about the microbiome at the time. Now that we’ve done so, how many teenagers are being encouraged to try dietary changes with the specific aim of promoting gut health?
Question: “What’s one thing you learned from Mark that you think everyone should know?”
I ask this question for my own benefit to see which information or piece of wisdom has the most impact. I don’t mean to post answers, but if these are the things that will help your readers the most, they’re also the ones most worth sharing with the people you’re trying to help out in life. mine. Presented without comment:
- You are in control of your genes.
- 80/20 rule.
- Metabolic flexibility.
- Exercise for body weight when traveling or saving.
- Find hidden sugar in sauces and packaged foods.
- The theory of eating every two hours is incorrect.
- Aging doesn’t have to be a bad experience.
- It’s not one size fits all.
- Have fun no matter what you do.
- You deserve to eat well and live your best life at any age.
It was a perfect note to end. Let me know in the comments what you would add to these lists. I look forward to hearing your additions.
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