“The subject of diet is incredibly vast and complex, and many diets conflict so badly that it can become terribly confusing for someone searching for the right path to health.” (Oostingh, 2002: 5)
Oostingh (2002: 6-10) gleaned from several books on healthy food the following:
- At least 50% raw fruit and veggies, “packed with enzymes, minerals, vitamins, proteins and chlorophyll” (p. 6) … contain countless health-giving substances … a natural antibiotic effect … protection from cancer-promoting substances … boost immunity … and slows down ageing.
- Eat only small amounts of meat, eggs and diary products. Preferably rather eat fish and free-range chicken. Only eat fat-free diary, preferably yoghurt, from which calcium is far more absorbable.
- Foods containing unsaturated oils are essential, because the brain for example depends on lipids for its growth and repair. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are further crucial for growth and development, but cannot be manufactured by the body. It is therefore important to supplement EFAs to maintain a good balance of Omega 3 and 6. Cold-pressed flaxseed oil is a good source, including Omega 9. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) are manufactured in the body, but because they perform very important functions—such as lowering bad LDL cholesterol inside the body while raising good HDL cholesterol—it is good to supplement, but heating damages the good qualities.
- Minimize the intake of sugar, because the body has no need for refined sugar and most health conditions are negatively affected by high sugar consumption. Small amounts of raw honey can be taken as alternative, but avoid artificial sugars.
- Give preference to eating complex carbohydrates—such as butternut, potatoes, unrefined grains, pulses, cereals and beans—rather than refined carbohydrates.
- Variety of good foods spread throughout each day ensures a wider range of nutrients.
- Reduce the intake of acid-forming (20%) but eat more alkaline-forming (80%) foods.
- Avoid carbonated drinks; processed and preserved food; cut down on caffeine and alcohol intake; do not cook in Teflon-coated, plastic and aluminium cookware and minimize cling-wrap because of likely chemical contamination.
- Supplement selectively and get your mind sorted.
Oostingh, Lauren. 2002. Low fat goes luscious. Struik.
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