Food as Fuel
We have traditionally been taught that food is simply ‘fuel’ required for the body to function. It is measured in terms of the calories or kilojoules contained in each gram of fat, protein or carbohydrate. According to this model of nutrition as long as we meet our daily requirement of protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals we will be able to produce enough calories or kilojoules to provide us with the energy we need in our daily lives.
In this model of nutrition it is irrelevant how the food has been grown, processed or manufactured. Many fast food chains use this model to demonstrate the “nutrition” in their products. Dietitians, hospitals and food manufactures, also use this model.
Whole Foods
As we go further into the study of nutrition we quickly come to the realization that the way foods are grown, processed and manufactured plays an important role in how our body is able to utilize them. This model includes an understanding of the way processed food often produce negative physical effects, even though they may contain adequate ‘nutrition’. Processed wheat and dairy products are great examples of this, as they produce allergies and sensitivities in so many people. However when the same people are given these foods in a whole, organic, unprocessed form they tolerate them quite well.
This model recognizes the dangers associated with the use of pesticides, herbicides and genetic engineering. Thus the importance of organic produce is one of its key features. In this model social and environmental issues become significant as care is taken to minimize abuse to animals, people and the environment. While this model is largely still physical there is awareness that the amount of nutrition contained in a particular food is determined by the soil, care and processing it undergoes. Naturopaths, whole foods shops, organic farmers and sellers and health conscious consumers use this model.
Conscious Nutrition
Conscious nutrition incorporates the whole food model and takes it one step further to an energetic level. The purpose of conscious eating is two fold; firstly we must nourish our bodies by eating organic whole foods. Secondly we can use our food choices to enhance our spiritual practice and our subtle energy fields. In this model foods are chosen not only for their nutritional benefits but also for the affect they have on the consciousness. Thus even certain ‘healthy’ foods may be avoided at particular times if they produce certain kinds of effects on an energetic level. Garlic, for example, is often avoided by spiritual practitioners who find it stimulates the mind and physical passions and makes it difficult to meditate.
In this model one is concerned with the energy field of the food thus living, raw foods are chosen most often because they have the highest vibration. They also contain greater amounts of nutrients and enzymes that have not been damaged by heating or processing. Animal foods are also avoided because they have the densest vibration and contain the energetic suffering of the animal that has been killed or used against its will to produce the food. Also those who practice conscious eating and spiritual awareness are often opening their hearts to increasing levels of love and compassion which makes it difficult for them to enjoy animal foods.
There is currently an intense planetary shift taking place as increasing light frequencies are entering the Earth plane and causing peoples consciousness to expand exponentially. During this process we need to be able to raise the vibration of our physical bodies to be able to tolerate the frequencies coming to us. If we are unable to do this we are more likely to experience unpleasant, physical, mental and emotional upheavals and environmental disasters.
By adopting a diet of conscious nutrition we are preparing ourselves for the Golden Age of humanity that is coming if we choose it.
