09/26/2025
An article I just read in about the eating practices of really resonated with me. Following are a couple of paragraphs from that article:
“Centenarians often share a common mindset that prioritizes balance over restriction. They tend to view food as nourishment, not as a source of guilt or anxiety. This perspective allows them to enjoy their meals and connect with others over shared experiences, rather than fixating on calorie counts or macronutrients.
Moreover, many centenarians come from cultures that embrace a more relaxed attitude towards eating. For example, in regions known as “Blue Zones”—places where people live significantly longer than average—food is often celebrated. In these areas, meals are communal and filled with laughter, fostering social connections that contribute to overall well-being.”
I know far too many people, athletes and non-athletes alike, who fail to realize that food is nourishment. Food is our body’s fuel, and it is the fuel for every cell in our bodies. If we expect our bodies to perform for us, we must provide it with good fuel. Lack of proper fuel results in sub-optimal Performance and inevitably results in a breakdown. We see these breakdowns all around us - heart disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer or even a simple lack of energy.
I also love the fact that centenarians enjoy meals with others, talking, laughing, engaging in healthy debate. And their meals are “balanced”, some protein, some vegetables, some fruit and even a little desert. They aren’t obsessed with calorie counting or eating specific amounts of certain food types, but they aren’t gourging themselves either. They are “balanced” in their eating.
So put any any anxieties you may have about food on the shelf. Begin, or continue, to give your body the fuel it needs so it will perform for you, regardless of what you do In Your daily life. You won’t regret it!
