Recently, whilst staying with friends, I visited a local gym. There was a huge mural on the wall, which read “70% Diet + 30% Exercise = 100% Success”. I couldn’t agree with this statement more. Many people do not understand the importance of diet and the role it plays in their health. Before I continue I should point out, I am not a doctor, dietician or nutritionist and have no formal education in any of those areas. The following information is purely about me, my lifestyle, and what, through trial and error, I have found works for me.
I consume a mostly vegetarian diet, eating meat on only a very few occasions. I avoid processed foods wherever possible, preferring fresh fruit, vegetables, grains, beans and pulses. I try to limit the amount of wheat I eat, so very little bread and pastries and only the occasional cake or biscuits. Chocolate, sweets and sugary deserts are also a big no-no, these are just empty calories, providing little to no essential nutrients and only contributing to inflammation and disease. Every bite you eat should be bursting with nutrients, protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids and many other health promoting substances which your body needs to keep functioning, growing and repairing itself.
I love probiotics and believe they play an important role in our overall health, both physical and mental. I ferment my own milk and water Kefir and Kombucha, which I drink every day. These fermented drinks, as well as fermented foods colonise the stomach with good bacteria helping with digestion and creating a healthy environment in the gut. Probiotics also have antimicrobial properties, support a healthy mood, help cognitive function and help with weight management.
Another important addition to my diet is Golden Paste, made with Turmeric, coconut oil and black pepper. This actually tastes even worse than it sounds but you only need 2 or 3 teaspoons a day and the benefits are well worth it. Golden Paste is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, a strong antioxidant and a great immune booster. It is also an anticoagulant, so must not be used if you are taking any blood thinning medication. It can also adversely affect other medications.
Diet and good health aren’t only about what you do and do not eat but also about when you eat. I also practice intermittent fasting, using the 16-8 cycle most days and occasionally doing a 24 hour fast. To do this is I usually eat only two meals a day, breakfast at around 11a.m and dinner around 6p.m. The benefits to eating this way are maintaining a healthy weight, reducing insulin resistance, which should protect against type 2 diabetes, reducing inflammation, reducing bad LDL cholesterol, may help prevent cancer, may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and may help you live longer.
A typical example of my diet would be, 11a.m, teaspoon of Golden Paste, bowl of homemade granola with lots of fresh fruit, lashings of full fat Greek yogurt, topped with chia seeds and bee pollen, a glass of milk Kefir. 6p.m, another teaspoon of Golden Paste, a fresh salad with Hummus, beetroot in garlic yogurt and boiled potatoes with a glass of water Kefir or Kombucha.
It is vitally important to stay adequately hydrated throughout the day, try to drink plenty of water or herbal teas. Fizzy drinks and sodas should be avoided.
Visit the recipe section for some of my favourite recipes.