Hi all -- I wanted to SHARE with you the basic dietary guidelines given to me (with approval to post on the site) by my acupuncturist. I find that the more that I stick to this diet, the better I feel.
AcuHealth
Dietary Guidelines
Eat adequate good protein and good fats, with moderate complex carbohydrates that emphasize vegetables. Good protein sources are wild and low-mercury risk fish or free range chicken, grass fed beef and lamb free of growth hormones and steroids. Other good sources of protein are nuts, seeds, beans, and free-range eggs.
Eat vegetables that are especially alkaline and contain a good amount of water and fiber. They will help to cleanse the body. Eat them steamed or sautéed: examples include Swiss Chard, Kale, Mustard Greens, Broccoli etc…
Buy organic whenever possible. The vitality of this food is much greater than regular supermarket food. Many of the vegetables in regular groceries today are genetically engineered, exposed to radiation, or low in mineral and vitamin content.
Organic fruits should be eaten in the morning and in moderation.
Avoid refined carbohydrates (i.e. white bread, pastries, pasta, chips, donuts, French fries etc..) Learn to eat Whole Grains. Avoid diet sodas and items containing Aspartame or artificial sweeteners.
DO NOT EAT foods containing Trans-Fats aka “partially hydrogenated oils”. Eat only high quality oils i.e. Olive oil or Coconut oil. Butter is preferable to margarine which is a trans-fat.
Buy fresh produce instead of processed or canned. Shop at the farmers market.
Avoid microwaving foods, as this changes their molecular structure. Avoid iced drinks, or always adding ice to beverages.
Drink 6 or more glasses of pure filtered water per day preferably before 7pm.
Take minimal fluids during a meal in order not to dilute gastric juices.
Do not eat late at night. This interferes with the optimal function of eliminatory organs, especially the liver and kidneys, which work hard at night to help us stay balanced by eliminating excess toxic metabolic waste products.
The biggest meal of the day should be lunch; second biggest meal, breakfast; smallest meal, dinner.
Lastly learn to make stocks/broths and take as a daily tonic.
Happy Eating!
Robert Koagedal L.Ac.
http://acuhealthaz.com/
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Here's a chart of acidifying vs alkalizing foods. I was a little surprised, myself, at some of the categorizations of foods I would have thought would be considered acidifying.
Your goal is to have your system more alkaline than acidic - acidity eats through your stomach and intestinal lining - for optimal pH balance.
Are You Getting Enough Alkaline in your Diet? has a food pH chart and FAQs.
August 8, 2008 - 5:46pmThis Comment
I will see what kind of info. I can get from him.....
August 8, 2008 - 4:37pmThis Comment
Dear Empowher,
Obviously there are a multitude of responses to the above question. Food represents the information that nourishes every cell in our bodies. My dietary guidelines are a summary of both premodern and modern societies attempts to answer the age old question - What should we eat? There is much confusion in this area and every adult must ultimately find a way to satisfactorily address that question. Ultimately there are unique variables for the individual biochemistry of each person however certain parameters apply: We all need Protein, Fats, and Carbohydrates. It is my opinion that the current trends toward low fat which also usually means high carbohydrate has been a disaster to human health and happiness, and is at the root of many of our modern chronic degenerative diseases. Unfortunately this myth and story is perpetuated in the media and even on this website. To help expand our understanding of the importance of fats in human nutrition I would recomend the following websites. www.schwarzbeinprinciple.com and her book The Schwarzbein Principle -the truth about losing weight, being health and feeling younger by Diana Schwarzbein M.D. (It would be great if you could do a video with her.)
Also www.westonaprice.org and a cookbook called Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon.
I think I will remove the ice suggestion in my guidelines as many people get stuck on that one. It is an ancient chinese principle that digestion is a warm process and the modern practice of ALWAYS adding ice to beverages "puts out the digestive fires." Of course on a hot day in the desert I will have some lemonade (with ice) pleeeeze.
Thank you for the chart on alkaline foods it is great.
Let's get to the bottom of this issue of foods and weight loss so we can more fully fulfill our bodies design for bliss and joy!
Peace. Robert Koagedal L.Ac.
August 18, 2008 - 9:58amThis Comment
Thanks for the recommendations. Visited Dr. Schwarzbein's Web site, which seems particularly relevant to our women as in addition to managing stress, eating well and recommending specific types of exercise, also addresses issues associated with menopause such as HRT and bioidentical hormones. Will explore this further. And I'm with you ... when you live in Arizona and it's 2 o'clock in the afternoon in August, ice isn't so evil.
August 18, 2008 - 10:42amThis Comment
Hi Joanna,
Thanks for the great post on "eating healthy". I actually have Starbucks add extra ice to my already "iced" latte. I'd actually heard that ice speeds up the metabolism which helps burn calories. That's not the reason I do it, though. I just like my drinks really cold.
Hmmm...now you've peeked my interest.
Thank your acupuncturist for letting you share this information. I, too, will print it out and post it on my refrigerator.
I didn't see anything about dairy. Love to know what he thinks about dairy products as well as coffee (caffeine).
Best,
Michelle
August 8, 2008 - 11:56amThis Comment
Thanks for posting this! I'm going to print it out and hang on my refrigerator...these are great, easy, tips.
One random question: why avoid adding ice to drinks? I thought adding ice to water helped either the body absorb it quicker, or helps people to drink it faster...or something...?
Another question: how do you know if a food is alkaline or not?
August 8, 2008 - 11:04amThis Comment