Why Do We Eat?

TOPIC:

Why do we eat?

Jericho Sunfire, a health guru from London, “… achieved the breatharian state after a process of body detoxification through dietary changes.  Jericho Sunfire began his process by following fruitarian diet, changing to a liquidarian diet, and then moving into the food-free and water-free breatharian state,” (Jericho Sunfire: The Process: My Fruitarian Initiation. (n.d.). Sunlightenment, Retrieved December 4, 2012, from sunlightenment.com/jericho-sunfire-the-process-my-fruitarian-initiation/).

 In my opinion, this way of dieting is clearly not for everyone. During the video, Sunfire occasionally stated that he transitioned because it was ‘a calling.’ This proves that it is not natural for a human being to go without solid, cooked foods in their diet. Food benefits the body in many ways and I know that food that has been cooked helps my body to function properly. When I am hungry, I am unable to think and act the way I normally do because my body is lacking ‘fuel.’ In those times of hunger, I crave a warm meal to help generate my body’s energy. Mere fruits and vegetables cannot provide me with the supplement and warmth that my body needs. This is the same for most people. After discussing the diet of Jericho Sunfire with my friends and family, their views were in agreement with mine. I decided to conduct research to see the nutritional values in fruits and vegetables as compared to that of the other food groups.

According to readyed.com, “There are five main food groups that we need to eat food from everyday to stay healthy,” (The Food Groups. (n.d.). ReadyEd – Booklinks. Retrieved December 4, 2012, from http://www.readyed.com.au/healthy/the_food_groups.htm). These five food groups are; grains, fruits & vegetables, dairy, meats & beans and fats & oils. Food is our bodies’ source of energy and we use this energy to help our bodies grow, repair itself and to keep warm. Each of the foods listed above is important to our bodies in their own way. I have taken the liberty to briefly list the five main food groups and state the valuable nutrients in them:

• Grains include bread, pasta, cereal and oatmeal. The foods in this group are made from grains such as; oatmeal, wheat, barley, rye, rice and corn. These grain based foods are high in carbohydrates and also provides us with other nutrients, such as; proteins, vitamins, fibre, iron and much more.
• Fruits and Vegetables contain high amounts of important vitamins and minerals that may not be found in other foods. They are made up of water and their skin comprises of fibre. Although fruits and vegetables are an important food in our daily diet, it is not enough to sustain us. “It is not a good idea to try to live on fruit alone. So-called "fruitarian" diets or "fruit cleanses" may have great benefits according to their proponents, but any diet that focuses mainly on one food group tends to lack essential nutritional components. Always talk to your doctor before beginning a diet plan,” (Can I Live On Fruits Alone? | LIVESTRONG.COM. (n.d.). LIVESTRONG.COM - Lose Weight & Get Fit with Diet, Nutrition & Fitness Tools | LIVESTRONG.COM. Retrieved December 4, 2012, http://www.livestrong.com/article/486154-can-i-live-on-fruits-alone/).
• Dairy products such as milk, butter and ice-cream are the most essential dietary source of calcium for our bodies.  Dairy foods also offer numerous significant nutrients, including: proteins and vitamins.
• Meats and Beans are in the protein section of the food pyramid. They provide many other nutrients as well, these include; fibres, vitamins and minerals. If you are vegetarian, beans can ideally substitute meat while still providing many of the same nutritional benefits.
• Fats and Oils, when used accurately, are very beneficial nutrients for our bodies. But, some fats and oils are better than others. According to The Better Health Channel, “Saturated fats increase blood cholesterol. Mono-unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats tend to lower blood cholesterol. Trans fatty acids (or trans fats) are potentially harmful and are used to make baked products, pies, cakes, biscuits and buns. Omega-6 and omega-3 fats can benefit your health,” (Fats and oils | Better Health Channel. (n.d.). Home | Better Health Channel. Retrieved December 4, 2012, from http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Fats_and_oils).

After reading and analysing the five main food groups, it can be said that focusing on the ‘vegetables and fruits’ group alone is not nutritiously beneficial for the human body. Hence the reason I do not support Sunfire’s views on health and nutrition. A person’s body necessitates an assortment of nutrients in order to properly and healthily function, this includes; “…energy-providing carbohydrates, protein and fat, as well as vitamins and minerals… While fruits and vegetables contain some essential compounds, they alone cannot provide everything you need,” (Is It Healthy To Just Eat Fruits & Vegetables? | LIVESTRONG.COM. (n.d.). LIVESTRONG.COM - Lose Weight & Get Fit with Diet, Nutrition & Fitness Tools | Retrieved December 4, 2012, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/394274-is-it-healthy-to-just-eat-fruits-vegetables/). Though Jericho Sunfire’s body has been able to properly function without manmade, cooked and processed foods, the human body was not made to live that way.  We eat in order to survive and to live healthily. If we do not eat, or eat the right foods in the right amount, our health and eventually our lives may be at risk.