Healthy Living
REVAMP YOUR DIET – Eating should be a life long process of nourishing your body, strict dieting, addiction to sugars, caffeine and other stimulants, as well as the toxins, fats, and hormones present in many foods can all weaken your body’s metabolism and halt the rebuilding process of your body, mind and spirit.
1 - Start your day right, eating breakfast has been shown to prevent over-eating later in the day. If you are pushed for time try drinking warm water and lemon juice, or making a fruit smoothie, or juicing some of your favourite fruit or vegetables. Eating fruit in the morning has a great detoxifying effect on your body.
2 – Eat more veggies, it can be hard to eat the right amount of vegetables, especially green vegetables, when time is so limited for many people. Don’t forget frozen vegetables such as spinach, asparagus, and mixed vegetables still retain many of their nutrients.
3 – Eat as many of these wellness power foods as possible, vegetables (fresh or frozen), fruit (especially berries), whole grains, nuts and seeds (especially almonds and walnuts), organic dairy foods (which are free of pesticides and hormones), beans and other legumes, avocados, olive oil, flaxseed oil, walnut oil.
4 – Locate and use natural health food stores in your area, they can often be a great source of information for local markets etc.
5 – Buy organic if at all possible, non-organic produce should be washed and scrubbed thoroughly, and outer leaves of leafy vegetables should be discarded. To clean fruit and vegetables naturally use baking soda or vinegar and soak or scrub for a few minutes.
6 – Improve your digestion – poor digestion is often at the root of many ailments such as low energy, pain, inflammation, arthritis, and allergies. Take smaller bites; put your fork down in between bites, thoroughly chew each piece of food before you swallow, and try to eat in a quiet, low stress environment as possible.
7 – Address any food allergies or sensitivities that may be present, milk, dairy and wheat being the most common culprits, if you suffer with any bloating, gas or irregular bowel movements try cutting down or removing these food for a period of time.
8 – If you had a poor score on our health quiz or you have identified a deficiency in your diet, try supplementing with “super foods or green foods” which are much easier for your body to digest and metabolise than vitamin and mineral supplements. Be wary of many general vitamin and mineral supplements, your body may not need some of the vitamins included, it is better to supplement individually with specific nutrients that you have identified are lacking.
9 – Increase your good gut bacteria; look for good quality organic yogurt that adds active cultures of Acidophilus and other probiotics. Or take a good quality supplement.
10 – Try fasting for a day – If you have a quiet day which you can devote to your self try fasting either with lemon juice and honey or with fresh juice. Fasting for one day will not be harmful to you; it can speed up detoxification and help to rid your body of unwanted toxins.
11 – Eliminate energy sappers from your diet – namely excess sugar, too much coffee, not enough water, and too many acid forming foods such as meat. Foods that are good and alkaline forming include figs, green leafy veg, dates, celery, beetroot, melons, almonds, and parsley.
12 – Drink plenty of water – try to drink at least 2 litres of water per day, preferably bottled or filtered water
13 – Make changes in your life gradually, try not to make too many changes at once, set small realistic goals and targets for your self. Give your self rewards for positive changes.
WE HOPE YOU HAVE FOUND THIS INFORMATION HELPFUL AND THOUGHT PROVOKING
THE INFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE USED TO DIAGNOSIS ANY PROBLEMS, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR HEATHCARE PRACTITIONER.
