Food the Spice of Life Versus the Path to Disease

Food should be eaten when you are relaxed. It is best to sit at the table so that you sit up straight. Food is to be savoured, beginning with the senses of smell and sight. Eat slowly and chew food well. Drinks other than a little wine, are best taken twenty minutes before or one hour after eating.

DON'T eat too much sugar, fat, salt, food colouring, refined food (white sugar/flour), packet-food, coffee, tea, cocoa or black pepper.

DO eat fresh organically grown vegetables and herbs, tree-ripened fruit, unrefined grains, polyunsaturated oils, eggs, fish, nuts and legumes, white pepper and a selection of herbal teas.

RATIO - six vegetables and two fruit to one protein serving.

It really is as simple as that but for your interest I add:

PROTEIN builds new tissue and repairs damaged cells. It is needed in the formulation of hormones and enzymes that play a part in metabolism and sexual development. Note that proteins can be difficult to digest late in the day.

Complete proteins consist of eight essential amino acids. Eggs, dairy products, fish and meat are all complete proteins.Incomplete proteins do not have all the essential amino acids. Incomplete proteins include nuts, seeds, grains and legumes. Use these in combination and with a variety of vegetables.

CARBOHYDRATES supply the body with energy and formulate cellular constituents.

Complex carbohydrates, such as whole grain bread and cereals, brown rice, corn and potatoes are valuable and provide a slow release and lasting form of energy.Simple carbohydrates, such as sugar, refined foods and fruit juice, give a quick 'energy hit' but before long another 'hit' is required. This can lead to over-eating and puts stress on the digestive system.

FATS provide our body with twice the energy of proteins or carbohydrates and they assist in the correct usage of fat- soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Fat insulates giving protection from sudden changes in temperature and for vital organs.

Saturated fats, mainly obtained from animal products, should be used sparingly.Unsaturated fats include essential fatty acids that the body does not manufacture. It is therefore important to eat foods containing Omega 6 and more importantly Omega 3. Deep water fish, cod liver oil and evening primrose oil are sources.

ACID ALKALINE BALANCE: acid foods do not form acid in the body! All the food we digest leaves a residue in the body that will be acid, neutral or alkaline. Alkaline foods form acid! To maintain a good balance, make sure 80% of your daily food intake is made up of vegetables, tree-ripened fruits, olive oil and millet. The remaining 20% will include meat, fish, nuts, dairy, grains (except millet), legumes, sugar, tea, coffee, cocoa and tobacco all of which along with STRESS form acid in the body.

SYMPTOMS CAUSED BY POOR EATING HABITS INCLUDE: indigestion, constipation, hiatus hernia, headaches, migraine, sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, glue-ear, fatigue, weight gain, acne, eczema, dermatitis, tooth decay, bad breath. Some of these symptoms occur because the person is sensitive to particular food groups.

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