Eat Real To Heal Podcast:
Decolonizing Your Plate Doctoral Series
Research Question: What are the barriers that BIPOC communities face in accessing the quality of foods that are capable of reversing lifestyle chronic degenerative diseases?
Part 7: Reclaiming Sovereignty Over Our Health: A Holistic Approach to Nutrition and Wellness
Dr. Nana Kwaku Opare, MD, MPH, CA
PHYSICIAN | Integrative & Preventive Medicine | Dietitian | Author
Dr. Nana Kwaku Opare MD, a physician, author, and health coach discusses the importance of having accurate information about nutrition and the impact of economic and social conditions on people's eating habits. With over 30 years of experience in practicing medicine, Dr. Opare has a strong focus on lifestyle medicine and believes that many chronic diseases can be prevented or reversed through changes in diet, exercise, stress management, and other lifestyle factors.
“If people know how to stay healthy, then why aren’t we doing it?”
- Dr. Nana Kwaku Opare
Dr. Opare talks about the addictive nature of fried, sugar, and salty foods and the need to approach nutrition from an addiction medicine perspective. He also discussed the spiritual aspect of food and how what we eat can affect our consciousness. Dr. Opare emphasizes the importance of regaining sovereignty over our food and health, especially in light of the colonial state and its impact on the dietary practices of Indigenous peoples. Moreover, Dr. Opare discusses the problems with the current medical system and the need for doctors to practice narrative medicine and listen to their patients. He emphasizes the importance of intuition and animal instinct in taking care of our health. Dr. Opare talks about his new book, "You Don't Need Me," which emphasizes the need to restore our connection with our divine spirit and nature.
"Food has the power to elevate or degrade your consciousness, and to facilitate or hinder your spiritual growth."
- Dr. Nana Kwaku Opare
Apart from his medical practice, Dr. Opare is a prolific author and educator. He has written several books on topics related to health and wellness and offers online courses and coaching programs to help individuals and families make positive changes to their health and well-being. Dr. Opare is deeply committed to promoting health equity and has worked to address health disparities in underserved communities both in the United States and abroad. Listeners can find several resources on Dr. Opare's website, including books, blogs, and consultation services. He also invited listeners to visit Northern Tanzania and experience its natural beauty. Finally, Dr. Opare highlighted the need for action steps to make changes in our lives and the importance of avoiding medical consumerism and entitlement when it comes to nutrition. Overall, Dr. Nana Kwaku Opare's interview provides valuable insights into the importance of accurate information, regaining sovereignty over our food and health, and the need for doctors to practice narrative medicine and listen to their patients.