Food as Medicine: What Does That Really Mean?

We often hear the phrase “food is medicine,” but what does this actually mean?

The first time I heard it, I assumed it referred to specific foods having medicinal benefits, like oat bran lowering cholesterol. While that’s certainly true, it’s only part of the picture. The truth is, it’s not just what we eat, but also how we eat that determines the benefits we receive from our food.

When we slow down and savor our meals, tasting the flavors, noticing the textures, breathing in the aromas and eating in a calm, peaceful environment, we activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This is the part of the nervous system responsible for relaxation and digestion, often referred to as ‘rest and digest’ mode.

On the other hand, when we rush through meals, eat while stressed, or ‘wolf down’ our food, the body shifts into the sympathetic nervous system, the fight-or-flight response. In this state, digestion is compromised and our bodies are less able to absorb and utilize the nutrients in our food. Simply put, even the healthiest foods can’t fully nourish us when we’re eating in a state of stress.

In truth, everyone can maximize their digestion by slowing down, being present with their food and tuning in to how eating affects them.

Before you eat, take a moment to check in:

How do you feel physically?

How do you feel emotionally?

Then, after you eat, notice what changes. When you eat in a way that honors your body, you’ll likely see and feel the difference in:

• Improved mood: Feeling renewed, restored, and uplifted

• Cognitive improvement: Clearer thinking and mental sharpness

• Energy level: Feeling more balanced energetically, with a deeper sense of well-being

When you’re eating specific foods that don’t agree with you, or eating too fast or when stressed, you may experience:

• Cravings or a lack of satisfaction, as if something is missing

• Feeling exhausted or sleepy

• Difficulty concentrating, mental fog, or moodiness

There is no single ‘right’ way of eating that works for every person, in every season of life. By learning how your own body responds to both what and how you eat, you can unlock the secret to using food as medicine.

For more, join me at the 2026 Reset, where we’ll explore simple, nourishing ways to feel your best – mind, body, and spirit – through the power of food as medicine.