Improved
6112 HealthChanged
3786 LivesSaved
3568 Lives0 lives impacted in the last 24 hrs Learn More
My happiest start to a day involves protein in the form of a steak. A standard carbohydrate North American breakfast would only make me sick. You may thrive on a high carbohydrate breakfast of pancakes or bagels. The thought of red meat so early in the morning may nauseate you.
So ... whose diet is best? I'd say they both are. Mine works for me as yours does for you.
If something I eat makes me bilious, if I end up hungrier than I was before I ate ... this food is contraindicated. But if I'm left satisfied, clear-headed, energetic, this is something I'll eat again.
If your meals leave you wilting or in pain, if your weight is creeping up, it's time to re-evaluate.
I don't think one diet can fit all, if only because too many food intolerances and allergies must be taken into account.
People flourishing on a high protein or high fat diet doubt that someone can be healthy eating whole grains. And the person who feels most vibrant on complex carbohydrates may be suspicious of the hypothesis that meat is good for anyone.
But different people react differently to different foods.
Nightshades like potatoes, peppers and tomatoes, are very bad for some. Nightshades may not cause an immediate reaction but can later trigger acute joint and muscle pain.
Fructose malabsorption causes fermentation in the large intestine culminating in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. People with fructose malabsorption can handle gluten but not wheat, which means they can usually eat other grains. They need to avoid onions, green and yellow beans, asparagus and honey, and go easy on the fruit.
Dairy. Grains. Gluten. These are well-known on the intolerance list. Many people can't abide them, feeling sick and pasty if they eat them. They'll have joint and muscle pain and gastric upheaval. They may feel anxious and unable to think clearly.
And yet. There are those who really do feel good living on carbohydrates. I'll take your word for it, if you'll believe me when I say I can't eat the stuff.
I don't think that the on-going debate about which diet is best can ever reach a satisfactory conclusion. How can it? No matter which diet is selected, some other segment of the population is going to be sickened by it.
The question should be replaced with another one we can all ask ourselves. Which is the best diet for me?
Resources
Are These Whole Foods Making You Sick?
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/allergies/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100255499
Fructose malabsorption is associated with early signs of mental depression.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9620891
Lactose Intolerance
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/lactoseintolerance
Gluten Intolerance: Against the Grain
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=63412
Food Sensitivities Or Intolerance
http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/food_intolerance.htm
Carbohydrate Intolerance
http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec02/ch017/ch017c.html
Visit Jody's website and blog at http://www.ncubator.ca and http://ncubator.ca/blogger
Add a Comment1 Comments
Again Jody, great article! It's so true how one diet cannot suit all. Everyone is different and you own body-type and dietary needs should be taken into consideration. I've heard in the past that's it's best to start with your gut. I read a Deepak Chopra book years ago called, "Perfect Digestion: The Key to Balanced Living." It sparked my interest in ayurveda and eating right for your type. Thanks for the reminder.
July 26, 2010 - 3:31pmThis Comment