No Diet Can Outperform A Dysregulated Nervous System
Luke Coutinho brings decades of lifestyle medicine experience to bear on science and practicality in his latest co-authored book, ‘Root Leaf Fire.’ Her approach strips healthy living down to its basics and focuses on the habits that really matter.
Excerpts from an interview
Why do you think modern wellness has become more confusing than helpful?
Today we have infinite knowledge. What’s missing is action. You can read, download or tune in to wellness content all day long. But if you don’t apply this knowledge, it will only become overwhelming. Every day brings a new rule, diet or fear about food. While searching for the next longevity pill, we forget that the fundamentals of the human body have not changed. The important thing is to strengthen the foundations.
What is the most harmful ‘healthy habit’ that people unknowingly follow today?
Overcorrection. This week, cut out carbs, then quit sugar, then quit fasting. People oscillate between extremes. But health is built on small wins consistently combined with discipline over time.
The next step is to ignore bio-individuality. In today’s “monkey see, monkey do” culture, we forget that what works for one person may not work for another. Two people can follow the exact same nutrition plan or exercise routine and see completely different results.
Break away from stereotypes and start understanding your own body.
How emotions and mindset silently influence what and how we eat.
More than we admit. Emotions not only affect what we eat, but also change how our bodies respond to it. Chronic stress raises cortisol, increases sugar cravings, disrupts hunger signals and affects digestion. Therefore, stress leads to late-night cravings, pointless snacking out of boredom, and anxiety leads to discomfort even after a “clean” meal.
You can eat everything right, but if your body is holding on to stress or unresolved emotions, progress stalls. No diet can outperform a dysregulated nervous system.
If someone could change one daily habit for better health, what would it be?
Protect your sleep as if it were sacred. Start simple: Keep sleep and wake times consistent, even if it’s just five days a week.
Reduce artificial light in the evening. Step away from screens at least 30 minutes before bed. Create a simple relaxation ritual: plan the next day, journal, think or practice AnulomVilom or left nostril breathing, pray. Keep your room as dark as possible.
How do you simplify nutritional advice for a diverse country like India?
Be it dal-chawal, idli-sambar or bhakri-sabzi, our culture has always known how to eat well. The change came when we started chasing trends and demonizing traditional foods.
The problem is not Rice and Dal. Sedentary lifestyle, inadequate sleep, chronic stress, overly processed foods and inconsistency. Dal and rice together form a complete and balanced vegetarian protein.
The goal is not to eat trendy, but to eat according to your body, geography, culture, health status and lifestyle goals.
In one sentence, what does true healthy living look like beyond food?
True wellness is when you stop trying to fix yourself and start living in harmony.
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