Intuitive + logical eating

[Adelina]

Having just returned from a spa in Southeast Asia,
seeing Westerners rigidly following diets,
with the slender Asians all around them,

see that we really need to add intuition to our knowledge of nutrition,
and learn to feel what elements our body needs.
Think in macronutrients- carbohydrate, protein, fat,
and micronutrients,
and even electrolytes, salt, and water.
And learn to give your body what it wants,
in normal and clean portions.

Can also see daily, what your standard intakes are of each, in order to maintain a fairly consistent and equilibrated diet that works best for your body.

===
Revisiting some current beliefs about diet-

Carbohydrates-
in normal and clean portions, is fine.

even refined carbohydrates- rice, pasta, clean bread
and clean sugars,
fruits

are FINE in MODERATION. Especially when maintaining weight.

when we crave these things, it's often because our body wants this fuel. A healthy craving for this kind of carbohydrate should be listened to.
Eat the carbohydrates in normal portions, 2 to 300 calories in a meal (especially after exercise, or for dinner) along with our vegetables

We should get used to learning what true cravings are, when our body needs a certain kind of fuel. Carbohydrates are essential, in moderation.


Same goes for fat, saturated fat-- for most people, is healthy in normal portions, about 100 calories 3 to 4x week, in form of coconut or clean butter.

And electrolyes- salt- in small quantities, under 1 gram per day, is fine when our body needs it.

And water- no need to over-hydrate. Listen to when you're thirsty, and drink just enough.

In all, listen to your body's true cravings. Nothing should ever have to be fought against. Learn to harmonize your body's needs with balanced and clean sources in your diet.

[Ali from The Office Diet]

I think these are all excellent and sensible points. :-) I find that, after years of getting into "good habits" (I was overweight as a teenager), I do now intuitively want nutritious, wholesome foods, particularly if I've been overindulging.

Does anyone else find they almost crave salad/wholegrains/fruit/simple foods after a day of rich or stodgy fare (eg. if you've been out with friends or to a party?)

Ali

[24evita]

I agree with the "intuitive" part of eating but not totally with the quotes of recommended nutrients and values.

Yes you can eat your carbs, and fats and proteins - but if you want an optimally working body you have to choose the RIGHT carbs and fats from the RIGHT sources. And this is not hard.... right sources are whole, natural foods not processed ones.
i.e. getting some saturated fat from nuts is much different than getting some from a big mac

As for moderation I wrote an article a month or so ago on Evolving Wellness, but let me just summarize:
The whole health topic is very sensitive because everybody is looking for answers and hearing different versions. What we need to realize is that there is not one answer that fits all. It all depends on what degree of health you want.

If you want average health than moderation is fine for you as yes our bodies are very resiliant and awesome at dealing with many things they get that they do not want. But if you want optimal health than you have to re-visit the whole idea of moderation as not the way to go. Instead adopt the "Live to Eat" idea where I give my body only what it needs and nothing in any amount that can harm it. (and yes while still maintaining liking it)

(in terms of cravings...if they are for junky or fast foods that usually stems from the addictive additives they contain not your body actually needing the saturated fat from a burger)