things to remember

i've been reading a lot of books on nutrition and how diet changes can heal illness and disease far more effectively than medicine alone. it makes total sense, so i've been trying to incorporate "healing foods" in particular into my diet.

i've read books on detoxing, sugar, balance of carbs-fats-protein, supplements, how to get the right amount of nutrients. there is a lot of minutiae, but it's actually really simple. here are some things i think are important.

don't worry about counting calories and tedious things like this. low-fat and reduced-fat are a marketing ploy. eat what you like, and just follow these guidelines:

FRESH FRESH FRESH.

+ go for food that is pure and unadulterated, doesn't have a food label that is longer than your to-do list (meaning: a lot of snack foods), and any sort of meal that comes pre-packed in a box, can, or jar. (ingredients like beans that come pre-packed in a box, can, or jar are ok -- i'm talking about full-on canned soups and microwave meals and things like that). eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, in season. buy organic when you can, know where your stuff comes from -- just avoid things like strawberries imported from chile in the middle of winter (you know they are not fresh!). frozen fruits and veggies are great, and usually have the same nutrients as unfrozen!

+ eat organic meat -- more lean red meat, fish, white meat than fatty meats. you really don't need a lot of protein to have enough energy throughout the day, but certain meats have things that are good for you that through other ingredients wouldn't be absorbed as well, like iron.

NUTRIENTS

+ if you need more protein for energy, eat brown rice, bean noodles, egg noodles, eggs themselves, beans themselves, tofu, etc etc.

+ omega-3's are supposed to be really great, and are the only thing within the last few years that dietitians and doctors are saying eat MORE OF! they can be found in fish, walnuts, flax-anything, extra-virgin olive oil, among other things.

+ keep sugar, dairy, caffeine, butter, and alcohol to a reasonable amount. (i don't consume those things except sugar, of course)! they tend to do more harm than good over time, but damn, it's tasty.

+ fats are okay, as long as it's mostly your cooking oil, which is probably extra virgin olive oil most of the time (and not butter)!

FLAVOR

+ cut down the salt (don't cut it out because you need it). spices, garlic, ginger, lemon, fresh herbs, onions all can make for intense flavor without any added salt.

WATER

+ it's really important to drink half your weight in ounces of water (ie 160 lbs, drink 80 ounces of water) everyday. more if you sweat, of course. this is a daunting task for some of us who are really not used to sipping all through the day, but it makes you feel amazing. try it!

TIMING

+ eat sugary things separately from meats and staples. for example, don't eat an apple while or really soon before or after eating a dinner. this has to do with blood sugar and digestion, and will help your tummy, especially if you feel tired after eating or have upset stomach often.

+ take fresh snacks with you wherever you go, so when you have the urge to nibble, you'll have something handy. just don't ruin your appetite if you're close to mealtime. your body will love you!!!