Healing Your Body the Natural Way: Five Strategies for Using Food as Medicine

Healing Your Body the Natural Way: Five Strategies for Using Food as Medicine

By Shawnna Jocelyn

I never thought much about how food impacted my body until I got sick. Like many people, I ate what was convenient, trusted that my body would handle the rest, and didn’t think twice about what I was putting into it. But when my health took a turn, I had no choice but to re-evaluate my perspective. I realized that healing isn’t just about medicine—it’s about what we put into our bodies every single day. Food isn’t just fuel; it’s medicine, and it can either nourish or deplete us. That’s when I began my journey toward healing naturally. Here are five strategies I embraced that helped me transform my health and let food become my source of healing.

1. Shift Your Mindset: Food as Medicine

The first step in healing naturally is shifting your mindset. I had to stop seeing food as just something to satisfy hunger and start viewing it as a powerful tool for healing. When I looked at food as medicine, I became intentional about what I ate. Instead of processed, nutrient-depleted foods, I prioritized whole, organic, and nutrient-rich options that actively worked to restore my body.

2. Embrace Whole, Natural Foods

The biggest shift I made was removing processed foods from my diet and focusing on whole, natural ingredients. Fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins became the foundation of my meals. I started incorporating healing foods like turmeric, ginger, garlic, and leafy greens—foods known for their anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Within weeks, I noticed increased energy, clearer skin, and improved digestion.

3. Hydrate and Detoxify

One of the simplest yet most powerful changes I made was drinking more water. Our bodies thrive on hydration, and without it, we can’t properly flush out toxins. I made it a habit to drink at least eight glasses of water daily, adding lemon for an extra detoxifying boost. Herbal teas, like ginger and green tea, became a staple in my routine, helping to cleanse my body and support digestion.

4. Listen to Your Body and Eat Intuitively

Instead of following diet trends, I started paying attention to how certain foods made me feel. I noticed that dairy caused bloating, sugar drained my energy, and processed foods made me sluggish. By listening to my body, I was able to eliminate foods that didn’t serve me and focus on those that made me feel vibrant and energized. Eating intuitively meant nourishing my body based on its needs, not just eating out of habit or cravings.

5. Prioritize Gut Health

I learned that gut health is the foundation of overall wellness. When our digestive system is healthy, our immune system is stronger, and inflammation decreases. I started incorporating fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, and kefir into my diet, along with probiotics to support good bacteria in my gut. This small change had a massive impact on my digestion, immunity, and even my mood.

Final Thoughts

Healing naturally isn’t about following strict diets or trends—it’s about making intentional choices every day that support our well-being. When I changed my perspective and started using food as medicine, my body responded in ways I never imagined. I had more energy, felt stronger, and most importantly, I regained control over my health. If you’re struggling with your health, start small. Choose whole foods, hydrate, listen to your body, and nourish your gut. Over time, these small steps can lead to transformative healing. The power to heal is already within you—it just starts with what you put on your plate.