Food as Medicine: A Discussion with Mark Sisson

Ready to achieve optimal wellness and live vitally? It's time to tap into the power of food.

BY VICKI MARTINEZ

Mark Sisson, New York Times bestselling author of multiple health books and founder of Primal Kitchen, has experienced both the health-afflicting and health-empowering effects directly related to food choices. Mark’s own life is a case study in how food—the right food—has the power to propel you to new heights. We caught up with Mark for his insights on a topic he's passionate about: food as medicine.

Live Naturally: What does “Food as Medicine” mean to you?

Mark Sisson: To me, it’s a reminder that you can’t separate what you eat from how you feel and perform.

Food is one of the inputs you can give your body—along with sleep, movement, social connection and more—that directly impacts how you feel on a day-to-day basis. You can eat in a way that supports or undermines your health, it’s that simple.

LN: Within your own personal journey, how has the concept of Food as Medicine proven true?

Mark Sisson: When I was in my twenties, I was the picture of health on the outside: lean, strong and performing pretty astounding feats as an endurance athlete, if I do say so myself. Behind the scenes, though, I was suffering. Many mornings, I couldn’t get out of bed because of the osteoarthritis in my feet. Leaving the house was always a gamble thanks to IBS. This was my life for more than a decade until a friend challenged me to give up grains as an experiment.

It’s not an exaggeration to say my health did a complete 180 in a matter of days. Prior to that, I hadn’t considered that relatively simple diet changes could so profoundly affect my health and well-being. That’s what started me on the path I’m on today, from starting my Mark’s Daily Apple blog to writing my books to launching Primal Kitchen.

LN: You often say: “Eat like your life depends on it because it does.” Can you expand on that?

Mark Sisson: You’re not a machine. It’s not enough to just put fuel in the tank. You need foods that provide the building blocks of a healthy body.

Food is information that directs the activity of every cell in your body. What you eat today lays the foundation for how you will feel tomorrow and how you will age into the future.

LN: Unfortunately, there are still people who believe that eating healthy is “boring” and “bland.” Give us a few tips for jazzing up healthy dishes.

Mark Sisson: I never eat food that is boring or bland. Life is too short to not enjoy your food! No surprise, my number one tip is to enhance flavor using condiments. Dressings and sauces are the easiest way to turn a basic salad or a plain chicken breast into something you’re actually excited to eat.

Second, lots of people don’t feel confident in the kitchen, so they get stuck in ruts. Find a couple of recipe blogs or cookbooks that look interesting and start making those recipes. Learn a few new techniques. If you usually steam vegetables, try roasting them with avocado oil to make them crispy and delicious. Try different cuts of meat. Maybe even get a new kitchen appliance like a pressure cooker or an air fryer.

LN: What are your favorite healthy spices to cook with?

Mark Sisson: Living in Miami with so much great Cuban food has increased my appreciation for cumin and oregano. Turmeric and cinnamon also have interesting properties that add taste and enhance flavor.

Are you ready to eat life your life depends on it? Tap into the wisdom (and humor) of Mark Sisson today by downloading his free eBook: “The Primal and Keto Guide to Eating Out”.

Check out Mark Sisson's new book, Two Meals a Day: The Simple, Sustainable Strategy to Lose Fat, Reverse Aging, and Break Free from Diet Frustration Forever

HEALTHY KETO RECIPES

Rotisserie Chicken Salad

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Baked Caesar Chicken Breasts

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