Good nutrition is a cornerstone of good health. It is important to emphasize that no matter how far you chose to become involved in good nutrition, it is a lifetime commitment. It cannot be seen as a short-term program, but rather as a conscious change in lifestyle. Disease due to lifestyle is the number one health problem in the developed world today.

 Animal products, i.e. red meat, fish, poultry, and milk products, are not necessary (although you may choose to include some in your diet). Using proper food combining, you can receive all the nutrients you need without meat. Many people feel a total vegetarian diet is best. High fat, high sugar, low fiber, highly processed foodstuffs with interminable shelflives lead to obesity and encourage the development of heart disease, cancer, maturity- onset (Type II) diabetes, high blood pressure, digestive disorders, and tooth decay. Most health food stores carry a variety of delicious, nutritious, easy to prepare, alternatives to junk food.

 The basic idea is to stay away from refined carbohydrates and saturated fats. Refined carbohydrates are any foods which contain white sugar, and white flour. These foods have had vital nutrients removed. Do not let fat intake exceed 30% of your total calorie intake (many experts advise 10 to 20%). Favor whole fresh uncooked fruits; steamed, baked, fresh, or juiced vegetables, vegetable soups and green salads; main dishes, side dishes, and cereals made from whole grains; legume main dishes and side dishes.

 Besides being loaded with vitamins and minerals, fruits and vegetables have a lot of insoluble fiber. This type of fiber encourages the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria and encourages regular bowel movements. Insoluble fiber may protect against bowel cancer and other intestinal disorders and lower cholesterol.

 What you eat is important, but how you eat is just as important. The body cannot do everything at once, so it chooses where to direct it’s energy. So often I see people eating while driving. Their bodies are saying, “Paying attention to the road is more urgent than digesting the food,” so the digestive process is not fully activated. The same thing happens when you read or watch TV while eating. I suggest that you eat only when sitting at a table. You can listen to pleasant music or talk with someone, but concentrate on your food. You may want to take a minute just before you eat to say a blessing, think about where the food came from, and how it is going to nurture your body. I like to light candles on the table.

 The second general rule for eating is to chew your food well. Many people recommend chewing each bite 25 times, until it is liquefied. The mouth has 32 teeth. The stomach has none. If you remember chemistry class, you have to grind up the solids before putting them into the test tube or beaker. The digestion process is a chemical reaction which requires the food to be liquid before it can be digested. So every once in a while actually count how many times you chew each bite. Try for 25 times. You will improve your digestion, avoid over eating (which leads to weight gain), and enjoy the taste of the food much more. Bon appetite!