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Janet Starr Hull PhD, CN

Alternative Health and Holistic Nutrition

Eat Like A Bird To Stay Healthy

By

two green-winged Macaws in their cage.
Our Green-winged Macaws, Fred and Hazel.

Most of you know that I live on a wildlife preserve. We have over 400 endangered tortoises and turtles from around the world at our wildlife sanctuary, and we are blessed to have over 70 rare birds from different countries from around the world.

Every day at feeding time, I am constantly reminded that all I need in my diet is what the tortoises, turtles and birds eat everyday.

What Birds Eat

  1. deep leafy greens
  2. organic raw veggies
  3. fruit
  4. seeds and nuts
  5. fish and chicken
  6. eggs
  7. lots of fresh water

Seems simple, doesn’t it?

Burmese Brown tortoises eating greens.
Our Burmese Brown tortoises eating fresh greens.

When You Eat

There is a lot of debate about diets – when to eat, what to eat, and how much to eat. Have you ever heard the expression “Eat like a bird?’

I didn’t know what that really meant until I had birds – lots of different types of birds.

Birds have very different eating habits from the tortoises, who walk up to 10 miles a day grazing on grasses and greens. Birds find food sources of fruits and berries, and some hit the lottery when they find an egg. Birds will eat a little portion at one time, some will horde extra food away in the pouches under their beaks, and many will take their food back to their nests to eat at a later time. Some birds simply enjoy sitting on a branch in the shade close to their food, and they slowly nibble on it throughout the day.

They don’t seem to stress about it, much.

But, they are always ready to try something new.

So, try changing your eating habits to eat more like a bird: 

An apple sliced in half with the seeds.
Eat fruits and seeds for natural nutrients.
  1. eat smaller portions at one sitting;
  2. eat as fresh and raw as possible;
  3. eat more often throughout the day;
  4. nibble/snack when you are hungry;
  5. drink plenty of water during the day;
  6. stuff away some extra snacks to eat at a later time.

It goes without saying to avoid:

  1. highly processed foods;
  2. low quality meats;
  3. sugar;
  4. diet sweeteners;
  5. food preservatives and food additives;
  6. rancid fats and oils;
  7. hydrogenated oils;
  8. larger servings.

Eat Light After Dark

Neither the tortoises nor the birds eat after sundown. Once the sun goes down, they head for bed because their serotonin decreases and their melatonin increases – this gets them sleepy and ready for a good night’s rest.

We, humans, are supposed to do the same thing – we need to rest and repair at night; we should not be digesting a late-night meal or drinking alcohol when it’s bedtime.

A gaint tortoise basking in the sun.
Our giant African Sulcata, Angel.

So, try eating more like a bird, and sleep like a tortoise.

What a lifestyle, eh?

 

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, and is educational in nature. The FDA may not have evaluated some of the statements.  This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please discuss with your own, qualified health care provider before adding supplements or making any changes to your dietary program.

Before taking vitamins, consult your doctor; pre-existing medical conditions or medications you are taking can affect how your body responds to multivitamins.