Is it true that “you are what you eat”?
It’s true in the literal sense, yes - your body is made of, and repaired with, the nutrients from your diet. There’s nowhere else for your body to get construction materials from.
This can be demonstrated by things like scurvy - go a month or so with eating any vitamin C and things start to fall apart.
Is that what you meant by your question, or did you have something less literal in mind?
To some extent yes. Your gut microbiome is also largely responsible for how you react to different foods though. For example, some people can consume a lot of red meat without problems, whilst others will end up causing damage. The microbes in your gut also play a part in how easy you gain and lose weight. Some of us can eat loads (including processed food) and not gain any weight.
Essentially.
Consume low quality fat - your fat cells become unhealthy
Low quality protein - low quality muscle
Consume sugar - poor blood sugar balance
That’s just a over simplistic version of that view, but it works.
Here’s my view as a registered dietitian who works with patients recovering from eating disorders:Technically yes, you get all the building blocks and nutrients you need for bodily processes and tissue repair from what you eat. Physically, you are what tou eat. (But you’re also physically made of stardust as all the atoms in our universe were created by supernovas, but I digress…)
Food has no moral value, and eating certain foods does not make you a better or worse person for it. Categorizing people a certain way based on what they eat is plan fallacy, there are so many factors that influence food choices that you really shouldn’t be judging anyone for their food choices, including yourself. Choose foods based on your tastes and what you like and eat a variety of foods. If you have more specific concerns about health-related nutrition questions for yourself, then I recommend consulting a dietitian :)
Yes, the food you eat literally builds your cells, which is all you’re made of. If you eat junk, your cells (& you) will only have junk to build with, & some repair just won’t happen at all. Eating healthy food becomes healthy cells….& healthy YOU!!
No, I eat a lot of junk food and I am in great shape. Cut with abs, Bruce Lee like body but I also don’t smoke and drink so I think if you have a healthy balance and work out 2-3 times a week you should be solid!