Diet-Smart Strategies

 

Drink Plenty Of Water

You should consume [at least] 8 ten-ounce glasses of water per day. An inactive adult should consume one half ounce per pound of body weight --that's 10 eight-ounce glasses if you weigh 160 pounds. A reasonably healthy adult body is composed of approximately 75 percent water. 75 percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated. Avoid sodas especially diet sodas. Avoid or drink very little alcohol. Alcohol and diet sodas promote acidity.

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Help Your Body Maintain A Healthy Balance Or Homeostasis

Human blood pH should be more alkaline (7.35 to 7.5) rather than more acidic (below 7.0). An acidic pH occurs from acid-forming diets, stress, toxicity and/or other immune reactions. An acidic bodily environment will rob the alkalizing nutrients it needs from organs, tissues etc. in an attempt to achieve balance. If this tendency continues, it leads to mild to severe acidosis and eventual illness.

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Your Diet Should Consist Of 75% Fruits & Vegetables (Alkaline) And Approximately 25% Protein

Meat, beans etc. (acidic). Fruits and vegetables that are richer in color are replete (dark green, red, yellow, orange etc.) with phytonutrients, carotenoids, chlorophyll and other nutrient rich substances which promote overall good health, strengthen the immune system and improve cardiovascular function.

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If You Can... Buy Organic Food

Wash all food thoroughly with water to help remove the presence of pesticides, dirt
and other bacteria. For stubborn dirt, use a food brush (or a new, soft toothbrush)

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Eat Four To Five Small Meals Over The Course Of The Day

With the larger meals consumed earlier in the day to keep your body fueled and to prevent gorging. Your metabolism slows down towards the evening and is less able to digest food efficiently. The evening meals should be predominantly alkaline which are easier to digest and promote relaxation for better sleep. If you need to nibble, re-educate your taste buds to beneficial snacks like carrot or celery sticks.

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Do Not Eat Quickly

Take small bites of food. Chew food completely and swallow slowly. Drink one glass of water
before your meal and one glass of water after your meal. This helps to prevent hiccups and aids in digestion. Don't wear tight clothes. Clothing that is too restrictive makes you more vulnerable to indigestion.

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Avoid Processed Foods

i.e. fast food, pastries; white flour, white rice. These foods are generally high in salt or sugar, devoid of fiber and often contain additives which artificially do various things to food (i.e. add texture; color) with no nutritional value. Some of these additives are known to be very toxic. For instance: monosodium glutamate (MSG) and Aspartame (artificial, no-calorie sweetener) over-excite brain cells leading to a constellation of uncomfortable symptoms, and if consumed in excess, illness.

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Incorporate Omega 3 Oils In Your Diet

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are found in cold water fish and marine animals (i.e. salmon, mackerel, sardines). Because these types of fish have a higher bioavailability index (better absorbability in the body), they are preferable sources of meat protein. Avoid hydrogenated oils (i.e. margarine, shortening). Use nutritious olive oil, canola oil and walnut oil when cooking which contain phytonutrients and Omega 3 oils respectively.

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Move Around After A Meal

particularly your larger meals. Take a brisk walk outside. If walking outside is not an option due to inclement weather or other reasons: walk or move around inside your home or walk up and down the stairs.

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Exercise Regularly

Do not compare yourself to people on television or in fitness and fashion magazines. Find an exercise that you can stick with. If walking, riding a bike (outside or stationary) is something you know you can tolerate without losing interest, stick with that exercise. Ultimately, speak with your physician about your best fitness options.

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Document All Symptoms

Keep a diary of what you eat, how you feel and all activity associated with your health. Where they are, when they appear, what triggers them and what helps them. Secure copies of your lab reports at the time of your doctor visit. Keep them up-to-date. This practice will help you ask the right questions when you confer with your physician and it helps him/her consider other potential causalities.

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Spend More Time Outdoors

Minimize indoor indulgences such as watching television, video games and non-educational internet inquiries.Connecting with outdoor life --the herbal kingdom, lakes and streams, mountains, bird life and other creatures, reconnects us with the sounds, smells and beauty of nature. This increases good mental health and well-being and disconnects us from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. If unfavorable weather is an issue, read or create anything positive. Remember, the brain is a muscle and will atrophy if it is not exercised.

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Get Plenty Of Sleep

Proper rest not only equips you energetically for the following day, it helps to restore and
cleanse your immune system. Try to eat at least two hours before going to bed so that your body's energy can be used for healing and rejuvenation instead of digestion.

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