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How We Eat at Corner Canyon and Why

How We Eat at Corner Canyon and Why

A primary goal at Corner Canyon Health Centers is to assess and treat underlying genetic, biological, and medical problems that interfere with good mental and physical health. 

We provide the best mental health treatment possible, however if the underlying issues are still present at the completion of treatment, the chances of maintaining progress can be significantly lower. 

To address that, we have developed a holistic approach to nutrition and diet.

What is Holistic Nutrition?

The holistic approach to nutrition reflects a quest for optimal health that considers the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. This is grounded in the belief that these three dimensions are interconnected and that your entire well-being is directly influenced by what you eat.

The overarching goal is not just to prevent disease but to achieve vibrant physical and mental health, energy, and balance. Holistic nutrition emphasizes the quality of food, its source, and how it interacts with your unique body.

Core Principles of Holistic Nutrition

Gut Health As a Foundation

The health of your digestive system (the gut) is paramount. A healthy gut microbiome (the community of microorganisms in the gut) is linked to improved immunity, hormone regulation, and more.

Most importantly, it is linked to mental health via the gut-brain axis, a two-way communication system that connects the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. A fundamental part of improving mental health is having the right bacteria in our gut, since 90% of our serotonin and 50% of our dopamine are created in the gut. 

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter known as the “feel-good chemical” that plays a vital role in mood, sleep, appetite, and digestion, among other functions in the brain and body. Low serotonin levels are linked to depression. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and hormone known for its role in the brain’s reward system, influencing motivation, pleasure, mood, and attention. Imbalances in dopamine levels are linked to ADHD and addiction, among other conditions.

Holistic nutrition promotes a diet rich in fiber, as well as foods that are high in probiotics and prebiotics, to support the gut microbiome and the gut-brain axis.

Whole, Minimally Processed Foods

The foundation is eating foods as close to their natural state as possible. Think vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and high-quality animal products (if consumed). This maximizes nutrient intake and minimizes exposure to additives, preservatives, and refined sugars.

Bio-Individuality

There is no single “perfect diet” for everyone. A holistic approach recognizes that each person has unique nutritional needs based on their genetics, age, gender, activity level, health status, culture, and even climate. What works for one person may not work for another.

Food Quality and Sourcing

It matters how and where your food is grown. Consuming locally grown produce where possible, whether grown yourself or purchased, maintains the highest quality of nutrients by reducing transportation times and refrigeration.

Organic

Prioritizes organic produce to reduce exposure to pesticides and herbicides.

Local and Seasonal

Supports local farmers and often means food is fresher and more nutrient-dense.

Sustainable and Ethical

Considers the environmental and ethical impact of food choices, including animal welfare and regenerative farming practices.

Mindful Eating

How you eat is as important as what you eat. This involves:

  • Eating slowly and without distraction.
  • Listening to your body’s hunger and fullness cues.
  • Appreciating the flavors, textures, and origins of your food.
  • Understanding the emotional connection to food without using it as a primary coping mechanism.

Life Force Energy

This concept, drawn from traditions like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), suggests that whole, fresh foods contain vital energy that is transferred to us when we eat them. Highly processed foods are considered “dead” foods with little to no life force.

Corner Canyon’s Approach to Nutrition

Today’s contemporary diet can lead to a deficit of the good bacteria, and Corner Canyon’s philosophy about food includes packing as many nutrients as possible into a delicious array of food options at every meal. 

While we can accommodate dietary concerns, our goal is to gradually increase the health of the stomach biome by incorporating healthier foods into our client’s diet.

A healthy gut biome is built by eating prebiotics and probiotics. While we offer supplements to help with this, the most effective way to improve the gut is by eating food that can create the scaffolding to allow healthy bacteria to grow, and by eating foods that contain all the nutrients the gut needs to grow the healthy bacteria. 

A typical meal at Corner Canyon can contain over 20 foods, combined by our amazing chefs into delicious, appealing meals. We focus on whole foods, with many vegetables coming from our garden, and we limit the processed foods with simple carbs (mostly foods like white pasta, white bread, rice, sugar and many others).

These photos show some of our delicious lunch dishes, taken by one of our staff.

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Corner Canyon Health Centers​

13020 S Fort St, Draper, UT 84020​

Questions?

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Smiling rehab center staff member standing outdoors in front of lush greenery—offering a warm, welcoming presence to support residents on their healing journey.

Liz Lund, MPA

Liz is originally from lush green Washington State. She is a life enthusiast and a huge fan of people. Liz has always loved learning why people are the way they are. She moved to UT in 2013 and completed her bachelors degree in Psychology in 2016. After college Liz worked at a residential treatment center and found that she was not only passionate about people, but also administration. Liz is recently finished her MPA in April 2022. Liz loves serving people and is excited and looking forward to learning about; and from our clients here at Corner Canyon.
When Liz is not busy working she love being outdoors, eating ice cream, taking naps, and spending time with her precious baby girl and sweet husband.