What is Healing Food?

Healing food is any food source utilized for its healing effects. The concept behind this form of natural healing is that the effects of food can be used not just for energy and basic biological needs but can also be employed to heal, nourish, and nurture the body, as well as any health conditions that may arise. Healing foods can come from any one of the five major food groups.

Those wishing to combat or prevent illness traditionally take pharmaceuticals. Healing food is among various alternative treatments that seek to treat and curb illness through natural means. Proper selection and consumption of healing food is sometime referred to as food healing therapy, a nod to the therapeutic properties of various food sources.

Most healing foods are whole foods, which means they are unprocessed, unrefined, and free of many of the sugars, chemicals, and additives that are often used in food production. Whole foods typically contain high levels of valuable nutrients and work with the body to trigger natural healing processes. Whole foods may or may not be organic, depending on the cultivation and production methods utilized.

Fruits and vegetables are the most popular forms of healing food. They are ideal sources of fiber, possess high levels of vitamins and minerals, and contain naturally occurring antioxidants — all vital to the maintenance of good health and the fighting of illness. Arthritis, cancer, heart disease, and weight problems can all be aided by seven or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables.

Water is considered a healing food as well. For centuries, people have recognized the role of water in staying healthy. Not only does water comprise 60% or more of the average body weight, but the body requires water to carry out all of its natural functions, including digestion, metabolism, and regulating temperature. Experts advise women to consume nine glasses of water each day and men to drink 12 glasses.

Proper meats can also be considered healing foods. This does not include all meats, and those with healing properties tend to be exceptionally lean. Examples of appropriate meat to utilize as healing foods include poultry without the skin, wild game without the skin, Canadian bacon, and lamp chops.

At first glance, chocolate and fat may not seem like ideal healing foods. The right selection of these items, however, can be excellent therapeutic sources of food. Dark chocolate has several healthful benefits, including valuable antioxidants, important minerals, and properties that lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Healthy fats, like monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and omega-3s, are also helpful to maintaining health and well-being.