How do you define health? And whose definition of health is dictating your choices? Learn how to become your own health advocate to achieve individualized optimal health. On today’s episode of Salad With A Side of Fries, Jenn dissects what health is and how we can take responsibility for our own health. She talks about insurance companies and medical providers define health and how decisions are made when it comes to our health. She discusses the reason insurance companies are not looking out for each person’s individual health, despite all of us taking their direction on what we do or don’t do for our health. Jenn discusses her vision of what health is and gives some tips on structuring your lifestyle to meet your health goals. She gives a life-changing tip for improving your sleep that you won’t want to miss! Tune in to learn how to reclaim your health to gain the freedom you desire.The Salad With a Side of Fries podcast is hosted by Jenn Trepeck, discussing wellness and weight loss for real life, clearing up the myths, misinformation, bad science & marketing surrounding our nutrition knowledge and the food industry. Let’s dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store. IN THIS EPISODE:●   [6:40] What is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about health?●   [9:33] What is the definition of health? How do insurance companies define health??●   [10:51] Should you trust that medical insurance and providers have our best health in mind?●   [17:22] Why do insurance companies cover medications that aren’t actually helping us get to optimal health?●   [18:37] Jenn explains why BMI is BS.●   [21:28] How do we compare diagnosis and health? ●   [24:15] How does the FDA determine treatment options and is it working for the goal of individualized health?●   [30:05] Jenn talks about individual/personalized healthcare.●   [32:01] Comparing US health vs global health?●   [33:26] Jenn defines what health is to her.●   [40:34] How do we create health?●   [42:45] Is supplementation necessary for optimal health?●   [44:00] How lifestyle medicine uses body fat percentage and fasting glucose levels.●   [47:53] Jenn gives a hack on sleep.●   [50:10] Why is mental health so important?●   [52:49] How do you design health for yourself?  KEY TAKEAWAYS:●   Just because an insurance company will approve of a treatment, does not mean that it is healthy or it is the best option/decision for you. Those companies are doing things to stay in business, your health is not the number one priority for them. Talk to your health care provider to determine what other options may be available to you. ●   Everything in the body is connected. We are diagnosed based on the organ system that failed first. If one piece of the system is not well, everything else is not 100% well either. If we’re at a point of a diagnosis it means we have a lot more going on that needs to be looked at around lifestyle. ●   Sleep hack: Set your alarm so that you are waking up after a 90-minute sleep cycle such as 6 hours, 7 ½ hours, or 9 hours. If you are going to bed and plan to get 7 hours of sleep, you will be waking up in the middle of a sleep cycle which can leave you feeling like you are dragging and lacking energy, so it may be in your benefit to only get 6 hours of sleep instead. Ideally you need 7 ½ - 9 hours of sleep.QUOTES: “Health has become a luxury in our life, that it requires wealth to some degree, and that's a really sad state of affairs.” - Jenn Trepeck“It's an important distinction for us to make that simply because an insurance company will cover something does not mean that it will move you toward health." - Jenn Trepeck“I just don't think that western medicine teaches their doctors to treat for optimal health. They are taught to treat symptoms rather than causes.” - Jenn Trepeck “For me, health is a lifestyle. Health is about energy, and fundamentally for me in my head, I tie it back to freedom of choice. To do what I want to do, the ability to do what I want to do.” - Jenn Trepeck“A major piece of longevity and health that many people overlook is purpose. Having a reason to get out of bed every day. What's your purpose, what brings you joy, setting your priorities.” - Jenn Trepeck “It's putting yourself on the freeway of great things to happen in every area of your life.” - Jenn TrepeckRESOURCES:Become A Member of Salad with a Side of FriesJenn’s Free Menu PlanA Salad With a Side of FriesA Salad With a Side of Fries Instagram