COTSWOLD
Cotswold Essence columnist, naturopathic nutritional therapist Caroline Peyton gives seasonal tips on how to improve our health and well-being.
Nutrition
IS COMFORT EATING GOOD OR BAD?
MUCH of what is written about in the media regarding “healthy eating” is based on the notion that raw is better than cooked foods and even though it may be some time until we have warmer weather, we should be eating salads and juices or smoothies on a daily basis. I will challenge that idea with the concept that “comfort eating” through the colder months of the year can not only be good for you but is essential. Heating vegetables, the
argument goes, destroys important enzymes and nutrients. But on the other side of the argument, plants have tough cell walls that we need to break down first before we can complete digestion and obtain those all important nutrients and cooking helps to do this. Many people may have compromised digestion , either through rushing eating, poor digestive secretions, stress, poor mastication (chewing) for example, so the reality is that raw salads may be quite a challenge for the body. Now don’t get me wrong, I do
like salads and even during the Winter I do eat them when the mood takes me, but it is not essential to eat raw for good health. I am a big fan of steaming my vegetables not boiling (as water soluble vitamins like C and Bs can be lost in the water) or stir-frying so that vegetables are not overcooked and remain slightly “al dente”. One of the best things we can
“comfort eat” is a large bowl of vegetable soup containing a
variety of seasonable vegetables preferably with some protein source included ( perhaps lentils or chickpeas or
even chicken?) to balance the meal and help to sustain energy and fullness during the day. Or how about a warming chicken casserole with various vegetables served with brown rice or quinoa? Perfect soul food for those colder days. Spices and herbs are an
essential component of this comfort concept. There are so many research papers highlighting their many and varied phytonutrient content and beneficial properties. I liberally add smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, chilli, turmeric, rosemary, oregano etc to my cooking although not all in one go.
Eating really is not about
deprivation. Taking pleasure in choosing your ingredients, cooking for yourself and/or family and enjoying together the wholesome flavours of these types of dishes not only nurtures our bodies but makes us feel so much better. Good health does not just stem from good foods but our mental and emotional health too.
• Caroline Peyton is a fully qualified naturopathic nutritional therapist with practices in Cheltenham, Swindon and near Cirencester. She is also Principal of the Natural Healthcare College delivering nutrition courses. Please contact Caroline with any enquiries to 01285 810320 or 07730 513303; e-mail: caroline@
peytonprinciples.com.
www.peytonprinciples.com www.naturalhealthcarecollege.com
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