What is a healthy diet?

Every day there appears to be another great and healthy diet available to you if you just buy this book or sign up for this that or the other.  People are looking for a quick fix which long term just doesn't work and the media and food industry are supplying it.

As someone who likes her food and wears it around her hips I have spent most of my life with a body image issue surrounding my weight.  It has taken me until my 40's to take control myself and stop expecting fad diet's to keep the weight off. It is about changing your lifestyle once and for all. There is no excuse for putting the wrong choices into our bodies.  If we want to eat well and look good we have to stop making excuses.  I know first hand how hard this is and I am not perfect now but eat well most of the time and allow myself to enjoy the odd glass of wine or bar of chocolate(my two greatest downfalls) but pay attention to when, why and how quickly I consume them.  Did I even taste that chocolate - if not what was the point of adding it to my hips. Did I down that glass of wine because the children wound me up or have I enjoyed savouring the taste and tannins.   I now eat good quality dark chocolate and savour each cube and have become aware of how I have used alcohol over the years to relax me instead of healthy ways.  Christmas this year will test me with large tubs of milk chocolate around - I will allow myself a few no doubt, but I just haven't brought the quantities of chocolate and biscuits that I normally would for my own sake but also that of my family.  

Being sensible and eating in moderation are the key factors but if you know you are particularly attached to certain foods you may need to cut them out altogether at first.  Sugar is addictive and is the cause of most people's need to eat the wrong choices.  Cut it out and the benefits will reach more than just your hips as mood swings and physical symptoms can all be affected by sugar.  This is harder than it sounds and your body can go through a detoxifying period which can make you feel tired, bloated, generally unwell and irritable causing you to crave the sugary foods more than ever - you have to keep going as the end results are worth it.  Think about when you will start this - it takes at least 3 months of not eating a food item until the body stops craving it and this can be longer for some people.  You can put this off until after Christmas as you just know you won't be able to enjoy Christmas otherwise or you can look ahead and see that you have 4 weeks to get started before Christmas - What ever you do make sure you give yourself a good chance of succeding but don't keep putting it off as there is always another social event that could stop you!

Eating fresh fruit and veg (preferable organic), grilled fish or organic chicken, brown rice and whole grains.  Make your own bread if possible (notice how quickly it goes off). I was using wheat free bread that didn't go off for 2 weeks, how can that be good for us?  Meat is ok in moderation, again preferrably organic simply because they don't give the animals hormones or antibiotics which can have a knock on effect on our health.  Eggs are good in moderation too.  Dairy products are not good for us unless organic or raw.  Many people struggle with dairy so I recommend removing it all together. 

The following eating plan will provide healthy choices as long as you remember to eat a variety of foods.  This plan is taken from The Doctor Within website and you will also find supplementary guides to help through the process of detoxifying on his site.

I. UNRESTRICTED

NEW WEST DIET

* Raw fruits
* Raw or steamed vegetables
* Brown rice
* Grilled fish
* Selected food grade herbs
* Whole grains
* Ezekiel bread (no high fructose, no hydrogenated oils) * 2 litres good water

II. WITH SOME MODERATION

* Organic meats (no hormones or antibiotics) * Unprocessed fruit and vegetable juices
* Eggs (organic)
* Raw dairy

III. ON RARE OCCASIONS – (not during initial detox period, and only with enzyme supplements)

* Processed cheese
* Commercial pizza
* Commercial butter
* Real ice cream (no gum) * Canned foods
* Coffee
* Alcohol
* Pasteurized dairy
* Raw nuts

IV. NOT IN THIS LIFETIME

* Soft drinks
* French fries
* Doughnuts
* Potato chips
* Refined protein powders * Margarine

* Hydrogenated oils
* Mayonnaise
* Hydrogenated oil snacks * Diet soft drinks
* Nutrisweet/Aspartame
* Soy in any form
* White bread

[For angelic results, of course, forget about sections III and IV. Magnetize this Diet to refrigerator door in a position of maximum guilt potential. Nothing to excess, including abstinence!]
Too simple to be effective? Simplicity is the hallmark of the classic cure.
www.thedoctorwithin.com

You can buy raw milk if you live in Sussex or London from http://www.hookandsonfarmshop.co.uk

It isn't easy to completely overhaul your diet and good friends and family often sabotage your attempts.  Don't let them.  If you are struggling find other like minded people to offer support instead!