International No Diet Day
Frequently I get asked, “what do you think of this diet or that diet”?
With so much information on the internet and opinions, it becomes confusing and there is a lot of conflicting information about what is the best diet for certain conditions. Every body is different and not one particular diet suits everyone.
Fad Diets… Not Ideal For All
Let’s take a brief look at a typical example being the Ketogenic diet which entails a low carbohydrate paired with high protein and fat intake. Initially, this was designed for weight loss. This diet was not supposed to be a long term diet but more like a 6 to 12-week exercise with breaks. Additionally, the fats are meant to be sourced from raw nuts and seeds, good oils and avocados. However, there are many people who choose to source fats from animals, which are detrimental to the cardiovascular system. Not to mention that too much protein puts pressure on the kidneys along with creating an acidic environment in the body which is ideal for disease. I have seen many people in my clinic that don’t do well on a Keto diet and need to introduce some complex carbohydrates.
Raw food diets don’t necessarily suit everyone either, as some digestive systems need cooked foods to function optimally. Again, some vegetables need to be cooked to release certain phytonutrients or to lessen some food chemicals.
On the other hand, fermented foods can promote discomfort in some people as they may have an intolerance to histamines or it could contribute to bad bacteria in the gut and cause bloating and gas. Frequent consumption of liquid diets and smoothies, over time, can interfere with the digestive system as chewing is a vital part of digestion. While vegan diets can lack in Proteins, B12 and Iron. Paleo can be too high in proteins causing acidity and constipation. GAPS and FODMAP diets are elimination diets designed to identify which food groups may be causing issues.
In conclusion, I always return to “fresh is best”. Eating a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables that are in season and a good quality protein whether it be meat, eggs, legumes, raw nuts and seeds and filtered or spring water. Don’t forget that exercise, interacting with others and maintaining a healthy mind are all very important in the diet.
Want To Learn More?
This article was written by Leonie Henderson, our qualified Naturopath at Central City Health Professionals. Should you want to learn more or have any questions regarding nutrition and health, please get in contact with us.