Let food be thy medicine, thy medicine shall be thy food” –Hippocrates
Diet is perhaps the most contentious issue when it comes to our health. People do not want to give up their food despite the fact that it might be killing them. This is perhaps the best example of HabitEnergy I can think of. What is it about changing the way we eat that is so difficult? What is it about our food that leaves us so stuck in our ways that people are willing to die for it?
Our diets are heavily influenced by our culture, family background, emotional states, psychological makeup, economic circumstances, and many, many other factors. These have created deeply ingrained HabitEnergies, making it difficult to make the necessary changes or even be able to see the wisdom of changing.
Remember, we are now working from an energy model. What we ultimately want to explore is the experience of nutrifying our bodies rather than just feeding it food. The experience of eating includes the decision process on what to eat, the actual preparation of the food, how we feel when we consume the food, and how we feel after we eat, both physically and emotionally. As we work through the process, we discover that a good portion of what we eat is due to our emotions. Once we get past that hurdle, we can navigate our options with greater ease.
So, what is the ideal diet? The ideal diet is a nondairy, whole-food, vegan diet. This means eliminating all animal products, including meat, eggs, and dairy products, such as milk, butter, cheese, and ice cream. If you really want to give your body the best chance at optimal health-and I know this is a tall order-it is my recommendation that you should give up meat and all animal products. In addition, I recommend eliminating all processed foods-the so-called “white foods,” like white bread, pastas, white sugar, and so on-and replacing these with whole-grain alternatives. I also encourage eating plenty of vegetables and fruit as well as shifting to buying organic, locally-grown produce whenever possible. Also, do not consume genetically modified foods as they are not safe. I understand this may not seem realistic to many, but I am simply telling you what I have come to consider the ideal based on all the evidence available to me.
There are other diets that will allow you to consume animal protein, including red meat, poultry, pork, seafood, and dairy. What is common to any meaningful diet is that processed foods be eliminated, especially high-fructose corn syrup. We should focus on whole foods that are locally grown without chemicals and avoid produce that is grown with pesticides or grown from genetically modified seeds.
That being said, I know all too well that most people simply can’t, or won’t do what I would recommend as an ideal. Besides our habits and preferences, many of us face financial limitations that dictate our food choices, Where we live and where we work also affect what is available to us. So, the most important thing is to recognize where you are starting from and then begin to make transitions forward. Every positive change has an impact. I do not believe in being overly rigid about diet. It is more important to keep the conversation going.
People tend to think of diets as being about self-deprivation and willpower, but they are actually much more about education and awareness. So, try making your first transition today. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small one, so long as it’s a step in the right direction. Pay attention to how it makes you feel. Changing your diet doesn’t have to be all about giving up what you want. It can be about learning to want things you never would have imagined you would be attracted to. Take the first step now and you may surprise yourself with where you end up.
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