Hippocrates said, “Let food be your medicine.” This proposition still works as the guiding principle in the naturopathic approach to nutrition. Like medicines and drugs, foods affect the way our body functions: some foods help you heal, while others damage your cell functioning and contribute to chronic illness. A healthy diet consisting of the right balance of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, anti-oxidants, fibre and amino acids is the most important tool for your body to maintain health and prevent illness.
Your naturopathic doctor will ask you to keep a diet diary, which is the first step in helping to identify food allergies, sensitivities, digestive issues, risk for disease associated with diet, and overall diet quality and eating habits. Your ND can then recommend dietary changes to support healthy living and treat any underlying conditions through nutrient-rich foods and nutritional supplements.