What is a Healthy Diet
By Denice Finnegan
A healthy diet is one which provides high levels of all the necessary nutrients and low levels of those things which are detrimental to health, such as sugar, saturated fats, cholesterol, salt and additives.
However, the energy in food is important too - you only have to look at a fresh vegetable as compared to one that is a week old to realise that. We all know that we eat for energy, so it makes sense that the food we eat must contain good energy to supply this. A healthy diet is one where you eat fresh food, in as whole a state as possible. That means, as close to it’s natural state as possible, and not broken down into it’s separate parts. “Live” food will give you life and energy.
So, in recognition of these two basic principles of healthy eating, here are some general guidelines for eating in a healthy, life-sustaining way.
Guidelines
Avoid deep fried foods and processed foods. If you do buy a food that is pre-prepared, then try to avoid a food with lots of numbers on the ingredients label, that mean it contains artificial additives such as colourings, flavourings, preservatives and such.
If you are eating lots of processed foods, then make sure you also eat some “live” foods, such as sprouts, fruit, and uncooked vegetables to get vital enzymes, vitamins and minerals for digestion.
Allow yourself time to eat in a relaxed way, in a quiet space, and chew each mouthful more than 30 times (yes 30!) until it is mushy and almost liquid. If you are feeling stressed, it is best to take 5 minutes out to breathe and calm down before you eat. When we are stressed or ‘emotional’ our digestive system shuts down and won’t process food properly.
Fibre is necessary, and is best eaten in the form of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as whole grains and legumes (like lentils, kidney beans, soy beans, baked beans).
Have your main meal in the middle of the day if possible, and a smaller meal at night before bed. If not, then have your evening meal as early as possible, ideally before 6.30 pm. Your digestive system begins to slow down for the day towards evening, and so you will digest a big meal better earlier in the day.
Reduce the amount of animal fats in your meals and increase the fats you get from fish, nuts, seeds and plants.
Observe the foods that cause you digestive or other problems and reduce or eliminate them from your daily meals.
Water is necessary for cleansing the body. Try to drink as much water as you can during the day, but not with your meals.If you drink tea, coffee or caffeine containing drinks, then you will need extra water, as these will deplete water from the body. Herbal teas are a great alternative.
Experiment with new, unusual foods. When you eat out, choose new restaurants and take-away places, choose different options on the menu, experiment with vegetarian options. Be daring, be adventurous.
Don’t diet. Rather, change food habits in small ways, that you can keep for a lifetime, that make eating a pleasurable experience, not a punishment.
References
* Encyclopedia of Natural Health, M Murray & J Pizzorno, 1990
* Natural Medicine for Women, J & S Scott, 1991