IS YOUR DIET 'THE BOMB'?

 

Whether or not we believe that our current diet is the bomb or not, we could all benefit from taking a closer look at what we eat, becoming more mindful about how we feel after eating certain foods and making adjustments here and there but for the most part the hard work can be when it comes to knowing what is right for you and then sticking to it. 

We are all unique, not any one of us is the same in this whole massive big world of almost 7 billion people!  If you think about just that for a moment, its quite amazing to say the least.  And because we are all so different, there is no one perfect way of eating that works for everyone.  This is where a concept called bio-individuality comes in.  Each person has very specific needs for his or her own health according to age, constitution, gender, size, lifestyle an ancestry.  We are living in an age of modern nutrition which means that a lot of people are on some kind of diet or another and every day we are bombarded with new ways to lose ten kilos in 60 days or some new discovery of healthy benefits of a certain food that you HAVE to eat if you want to live to a ripe old age and be healthy and happy at the same time.  To think that a certain diet may be right for you just because you have read the book or it sounds easy is bordering on crazy unless you actually take the time to listen to what your body is telling you when you eat and be mindful of how you feel after you have eaten.  Nutrition is the only science where two apposing theories can be proved correct and that is because we are all so different with very different needs.

 

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer ten months ago I felt that I was literally scrambling around trying my very best to feed my body what I thought was right for it based on what I had read and what was supposed to be an 'anti-cancer' diet.  I  had a broad understanding of what the main diet principles were, but suddenly I felt that I needed to be an expert in the field of nutrition if I wanted to give myself the best possible chance of living a long healthy and happy life.  What I didn't know was the concept that we are all individuals with unique requirements and that the very best diet to be on is in fact an anti-cancer diet whether you have cancer or not and this anti-cancer diet can be different for everyone.

I had friends/family contacting me from across the globe telling me that they had read articles about people that had taken a spoonful of asparagus puree every day since they were diagnosed and were now cancer free.  I had someone tell me about a specific type of fruit tree that is only found in deepest darkest Africa which is touted to be a cancer cure.  The problem with all of this was that at the time I was feeling very vunerable and I would have eaten my husband's left toenail if it was supposedly going to cure me of cancer.  I was very grateful that they took the time to tell me about these things that they had come across, but it highlighted to me that people just have no idea what the best way is to approach a healthy diet that is right just for them because they are bombarded every day with new dietary theories and best sellers.  What we need to do is listen to your body!!!!  It knows what foods you need, when it needs them and what is best for you.  Research what foods are best for your blood type, your metabolism and what foods were typical for your ancestry.  Begin by making small changes and pay attention when you eat so you can decide when you're full.  Even though each person is a distinct individual, we all share the same instincts.  Don't ignore the personal messages your body is sending.

There are 6 foods that seem to pop their heads up again and again in my research which promise to be the most nutrient dense, health promoting foods on the plant no matter who you are or what diet you are on.  Whether or not you embrace all 6 of these foods or find that you can only tolerate one or two (remember to listen to your body first), you will be well on your way to eating a diet that is extremely effective at preventing chronic disease and promoting health and longevity.  These 6 foods are called 'G-BOMBS' and they certainly are "the bomb"!

The 'G-Bomb' acronym was cleverly created by Dr Fuhrman who is a board-certified family physician, NY times best-selling author and nutritional researcher who specialises in preventing and reversing disease through nutritional and natural methods.  If you try and incorporate at least one of these 6 foods into one meal a day you will be doing yourself a massive favour.  The great part about it is that these foods are easily found and you probably have at least two of them sitting in your pantry right now!  For a full explanation of exactly how nutrient dense these specific foods really are, please visit his website.  I encourage you to click on the link and read for yourself the benefits of these foods as my explanations below very limited.  So without further ado, below are these six super sexy nutrient packed super foods of the 'G-Bomb'!! :-

1.  Greens

They only contain about 100 calories per pound and are the most nutrient dense of all foods.  They protect our blood vessels and are associated with reduced risk of diabetes.  They are also packaged with beneficial phytochemicals.

2.  Beans

Beans (and other legumes as well) are a powerhouse of superior nutrition.

3.  Onions

Onions along with leeks, garlic, shallots and scallions make up the Allium family of veggies which have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular and immune systems as well as anti-diabetic and anti-cancer effects.

4.  Mushrooms

Consuming mushrooms regularly is associated with decreased risk of breast, stomach and colorectal cancers.  A Chinese study where women ate at least 10 grams of fresh mushrooms each day (about one mushroom per day) had a 64% decreased risk of breast cancer.

5.  Berries

Blueberries, strawberries and blackberries are true super foods.  They are low in sugar and high in nutrients - they are among the best foods you can eat.

6.  Seeds

Nuts and seeds contain healthy fats and are rich in a spectrum of micronutrients including minerals and antioxidants.

This week I will post a recipe on my blog that incorporates at least 3 ingredients from the 'G-Bomb' acronym.

POSITIVE AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY:

I only feed my body with food that is nourishing and I do this out of self love.