The Perfect Diet?

[PianoManGidley]

Okay, I see all these threads here with people discussing the dangers of all sorts of food. Not only should I be eating a raw, vegan diet, but certain foods within THAT group, such as soy and whatnot, need to be avoided. Plus some foods give antioxidents and nutrients better than others, and we need to try to balance our bodies' levels of such things, give them only so many of whatnot each day, usually optimized at certain times...

It all seems so specific that it sounds basically like there should be one or two daily menus to which we should all be adhering. So I wanna know what these are. If there's so many things I'm NOT supposed to be eating, what's left?

[Rockchick26]

I am as frustrated as you are! I dont have the answer. I've even seen claims that you can avoid disease and cancer by eating ANYTHING you want as long as you excersise and live stress free. Who knows. A perfect diet doesnt exist,i dont think.

[JimOfferman]

We're all different, so it wouldn't make any sense if there was a single diet that we could all adhere to and enjoy optimal health.

Eat what you think is best for you, or better still: eat what makes you feel best.

[Joeschmoe]

I'd say that everyone is different within certain guides. So the perfect diet would be some variety of whole unprocessed plant foods. So the perfect diet would be to eat the combination of the following things that works best for you.

Vegetables, Fruit, nuts, seeds, root vegetables, and whole grains. Meat and eggs limited to a couple meals a week or less.

[pterodactyl]

I struggle with this also. What has been working lately is to a) eat seasonally and locally (by shopping at farmer's markets, eating food from my garden); b) being mindful of how what I eat makes my body and mind feel, and trying to consume mainly those foods that energize me and make me want to go out and run a marathon; c) recognizing that my body responds to the same food in different ways at different times, and that constantly rotating the foods I eat is important for me to feel healthy; d) eat for enjoyment, stop before I am full and enjoy food in the company of others whenever possible.

When eating this way, I notice I stop focusing on food so much and focus instead on what I plan to do after I've finished eating, and whether the food I am ingesting will help me do that. Food becomes an enjoyable, but peripheral, part of life. My suggestion for anyone struggling with diet is to put everything back on the menu, and then eat whatever it is that makes a difference in your vitality. Eliminate what does not serve as good fuel for your lifestyle and activity level. If you're environmentally conscious, eat in a manner that reflects that. Eat whole, fresh, unprocessed "real" food in satisfying amounts, and enjoy it!


Amber

[Peyem]

The simple truth is, there is no perfect diet. At least not that we know of. And should it exist and someone is on to it, there's so many convoluted diets from other people positive their diet is the best, that it would be impossible to find it or prove it.

Therefore, in my opinion, you have to treat it like I treat politics. Don't believe any one source you see or hear. You have to seek out polar opposites and educate yourself on as many varieties you can. Listen to the hardcore raw vegan people, listen to the yoked meat-heads at the gym, listen to the uptight scientific studies and the hippy opinions. For nearly any opinion or "fact" you find, you can find an opposing opinion or "study".

After you're sick of reading labels and hearing opposing opinions and trying out a variety of crazy things and paying attention to the effect it has on you, then you will eventually build an idea of what is best for you. The definition of "perfect" is something that only you can decide for yourself.

There are, however, a few things we know to be bad, which are, but are not limited to:
Saturated fats (not all types, but in general yes)
Refined sugar and carbs (just say no to white bread)
Soda (switch to tea or water)
Any combination of the above 3 (no more sausage-filled, mountain dew-glazed jelly donuts )

Good luck, and try your best to avoid the diet dogma!

[PianoManGidley]

Originally Posted by Peyem

The simple truth is, there is no perfect diet. At least not that we know of. And should it exist and someone is on to it, there's so many convoluted diets from other people positive their diet is the best, that it would be impossible to find it or prove it.

Therefore, in my opinion, you have to treat it like I treat politics. Don't believe any one source you see or hear. You have to seek out polar opposites and educate yourself on as many varieties you can. Listen to the hardcore raw vegan people, listen to the yoked meat-heads at the gym, listen to the uptight scientific studies and the hippy opinions. For nearly any opinion or "fact" you find, you can find an opposing opinion or "study".

After you're sick of reading labels and hearing opposing opinions and trying out a variety of crazy things and paying attention to the effect it has on you, then you will eventually build an idea of what is best for you. The definition of "perfect" is something that only you can decide for yourself.

There are, however, a few things we know to be bad, which are, but are not limited to:
Saturated fats (not all types, but in general yes)
Refined sugar and carbs (just say no to white bread)
Soda (switch to tea or water)
Any combination of the above 3 (no more sausage-filled, mountain dew-glazed jelly donuts )

Good luck, and try your best to avoid the diet dogma!

You just said directly what I was trying to say indirectly with my original post here.

[Dan.Linehan]

Why isn't an organic, raw food based (fruits, veggies, seeds and nuts) diet best?

[ilovetoday]

I get a little overwhelmed with all the different methods that each and every person enjoys. I just try out some things I think I might like.

I crave meat every few weeks so I eat a big fat steak sometimes I crave it more often and sometimes less. I am starting to eat more and more fresh and raw foods. But I also cook a lot of my foods as well. I feel I could improve on my diet but basically I just eat what I feel I need-satisfy my cravings. When I want sugar, I pick up a piece of fruit and it usually fixes the sugar craving.

Back when I "didnt have time" to cook veges and salad for myself I would get cravings for veges and salad. My body tells me what I am lacking, then I eat it.

[Excellent Lodestar]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

Why isn't an organic, raw food based (fruits, veggies, seeds and nuts) diet best?

Because It lacks a few KEY nutrients that can only be found in Animal products. and these seemingly small additions make or break the puzzle.The puzzle being Heart Disease, Cancers etc--- Hey, as a Vegan for many years, i fought it too...but when you get deficient and your health falters, you wake up. I have, in time, luckily.

Don't get me wrong, organic, raw food based (fruits, veggies, seeds and nuts) diet is a fantastic foundation.It IS the foundation.but even more important is to avoid Wheat in all it's forms. This is becoming more indisputable as every day goes by--mountains of evidence.Longest Living cultures share these traits.

Fats are key as well. I'm reading more studies that show fats are only "bad" in the presence of high carb(wheat) intake. When the Carbs are absent or low, Fats become quite healthy. The fats to avoid are the Man made variety-Polunsaturated, Trans fats;Those should be avoided.

I agree that everyone is different to a certain degree. It's just that when folks Like Tim Russert are following their docs advice and tests show OK, doesn't mean things are. His death was preventable.

John Robbins talks about studies that show that if People are Emotionally healthy, ( emotional ties, friends, sense of belonging and purpose)that it acts as "protection" against disease; super -immunity if you will.This probably trumps any diet. I've seen this firsthand. My grandfather lived to 95 and was LIVING those years...then he got sick and was gone in 2 weeks. Smoked 2 packs a day since he was 11- from what I hear. But the Family ties were tight and even in old age, he knew he belonged.

Then there is the Politics of Health to sift through---There is a LOT of $$ at stake here, and Big Pharma ain't going out like that. lets just say they don't have your best interests at heart--You being healthy doesn't help THEM. but eating Cookies, chips, breads, Corn,soy(Sorry! but can you say Archer Daniels Midland?) Does.

You guys are right.Maybe there is no perfect diet, but there are a few no brainers...


Peace,
Elstar

[Peyem]

Originally Posted by Excellent Lodestar

but even more important is to avoid Wheat in all it's forms. This is becoming more indisputable as every day goes by--mountains of evidence.Longest Living cultures share these traits.

Fats are key as well. I'm reading more studies that show fats are only "bad" in the presence of high carb(wheat) intake.

Do you have any links or places to find that info? I'd do some searching on my own, but I'm in a bit of a rush at the moment.

[PianoManGidley]

Originally Posted by Excellent Lodestar

Don't get me wrong, organic, raw food based (fruits, veggies, seeds and nuts) diet is a fantastic foundation.It IS the foundation.but even more important is to avoid Wheat in all it's forms. This is becoming more indisputable as every day goes by--mountains of evidence.Longest Living cultures share these traits.

Fats are key as well. I'm reading more studies that show fats are only "bad" in the presence of high carb(wheat) intake.

This is the same sort of tidbit of information I was talking about. Now we're supposed avoid wheat on top of everything else.

You know what? Screw it--I'm gonna make my diet more general. Lean proteins, whole-grain carbs, low-fat/non-fat dairy, and fresh fruits and veggies each day. I'll watch my calories in a vague and general way, and still focus on eating smaller portions for meals every few hours. I'll exercise regularly, too, to maintain my general health. If I go any more complex than those rules right there, it'll be only minimally so, and at my own discretion. And I'm gonna splurge every now and then because I still wanna live life. What's the point of living to be 120 years old if you deny yourself chocolate or burgers for all those years? I'd rather die a bit younger and have enjoyed the ride more.

[Excellent Lodestar]

Originally Posted by Peyem

Do you have any links or places to find that info? I'd do some searching on my own, but I'm in a bit of a rush at the moment.

Sure...Doctor Davis is a Cardiologist who lost his Mother to Heart Disease, I believe. He's determined for find what really causes heart attacks. Excellent Site.
The Heart Scan Blog: Search results for wheat

Wheat | Mark's Daily Apple

Whole Health Source: Search results for wheat

[Joeschmoe]

Originally Posted by Excellent Lodestar

Because It lacks a few KEY nutrients that can only be found in Animal products.

Like what? Give me one that can't be found in plant food?

From everything I know and have experienced this is not true.

[Rockchick26]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

Why isn't an organic, raw food based (fruits, veggies, seeds and nuts) diet best?

lol I just gotta say something. I see this "fruits/veggies/seeds/nuts" listed more than anything else all over the place,but i just dont get it,what are you supposed to do,half that list is tiny little bits of "food" and the other half can't fill you up if you ate a truckload of them! How can anyone live off those things? Even for a day! I'd be famished! Tell me what meals you can make out of nuts and seeds,even fruits and veggies alone aren't a meal LOL i just find this very amusing that these are the most common health foods but sounds to me like a bird's diet

[Joeschmoe]

What makes a meal then? Cheese? A big slab of cow? Butter? To me those don't sound like food.

[Excellent Lodestar]

Originally Posted by Joeschmoe

Like what? Give me one that can't be found in plant food?

From everything I know and have experienced this is not true.

What makes a meal then? Cheese? A big slab of cow? Butter? To me those don't sound like food.

I can't speak of your experience, but if you aren't eating animal based foods, where's the B-12 coming from? Alpha Bits?
Don't worry though, you won't need a B-12 shot from the Doctors until the peripheral neuropathy sets in

I agree, Cow Slab, Cheese doesn't sound like food to me either(nothing against those who do) but I might add some smoked salmon once or twice a week to my Huge salad-maybe small amounts of Turkey the next. No big deal...

[Peyem]

Originally Posted by Excellent Lodestar

Sure...Doctor Davis is a Cardiologist who lost his Mother to Heart Disease, I believe. He's determined for find what really causes heart attacks. Excellent Site.
The Heart Scan Blog: Search results for wheat

Wheat | Mark's Daily Apple

Whole Health Source: Search results for wheat

Thanks for those links! I really like the Mark's Daily Apple site. I've been reading it straight for a couple hours now. I think I'm going to take on a 30 day trial of his PB plan on there. I actually already do a lot of that, but might as well go all out.

[Joeschmoe]

Originally Posted by Excellent Lodestar

I can't speak of your experience, but if you aren't eating animal based foods, where's the B-12 coming from? Alpha Bits?
Don't worry though, you won't need a B-12 shot from the Doctors until the peripheral neuropathy sets in

I agree, Cow Slab, Cheese doesn't sound like food to me either(nothing against those who do) but I might add some smoked salmon once or twice a week to my Huge salad-maybe small amounts of Turkey the next. No big deal...

B-12 is made by neither plants nor animals. It's made by a bacteria that live in the guts of plant eaters, including our own. They also live on the surface of plants, fruits, etc in the wild. But they have been removed and killed in most of our food by over sanitation and liberal use of antibiotics. In fact most of the animals that you might eat for b-12 have is supplemented themselves due to the fact that they eat the same over-sterilized grains.

That said due to the efficiency of use of b12 there are vegans who go for a lifetime without ever developing a deficiency. However all responsible vegans who don't forage their own food (joke) will get their levels checked often and/or take supplements.

I hate to say this, but it is the simple truth that animals produce no nutrients that humans need. They are all produced by plants or bacteria. We are not like cats, we don't need dietary taurine.

[Dan.Linehan]

Originally Posted by Rockchick26

lol I just gotta say something. I see this "fruits/veggies/seeds/nuts" listed more than anything else all over the place,but i just dont get it,what are you supposed to do,half that list is tiny little bits of "food" and the other half can't fill you up if you ate a truckload of them! How can anyone live off those things? Even for a day! I'd be famished! Tell me what meals you can make out of nuts and seeds,even fruits and veggies alone aren't a meal LOL i just find this very amusing that these are the most common health foods but sounds to me like a bird's diet

Any raw food or juicing book would answer your question. Also, learn to make nut milk. It's raw and very filling.

Sips his morning sixty-four ounce fresh organic strawberry-grape-apple-tomato-carrot juice..

[Dan.Linehan]

Originally Posted by Excellent Lodestar

I can't speak of your experience, but if you aren't eating animal based foods, where's the B-12 coming from? Alpha Bits?

My multi-vitamin has 1666% the recommended daily value of B12. Does that count?

[Lisa McGregor]

my question. If nuts are so perfect, why are some people so allergic that they could die if they eat them. Yet I can eat them and I'm sure they're good for me.

I agree with those who say that there is no such thing as a perfect diet. The best is if you eat a balance of veg/fruit, carbohydrates and protein. If you are allergic to dairy or don't like dairy products then leave them out. If you feel like some chocolate once in a while then that's o.k. Just don't overdo it and stop eating when you're full. Don't drink too many soda's which doesn't mean you can't have the odd Coke. Drink a few glasses of water a day and a couple of coffees a day won't hurt. A glass or two of wine with dinner, and if you enjoy a whisky in the evenings by all means - have it.

And most important of all - stop obsessing about food. If you enjoy eating meat and it doesn't make you guilty, then eat it(with respect). We are after all omnivores. If you don't put junk into your body 90% of the time, the odd "treat" is not going to kill you.

Everything in moderation.

bon appetit

Love
Lisa

[Bruce Achterberg]

Originally Posted by Lisa McGregor

my question. If nuts are so perfect, why are some people so allergic that they could die if they eat them. Yet I can eat them and I'm sure they're good for me.

I agree with those who say that there is no such thing as a perfect diet. The best is if you eat a balance of veg/fruit, carbohydrates and protein. If you are allergic to dairy or don't like dairy products then leave them out. If you feel like some chocolate once in a while then that's o.k. Just don't overdo it and stop eating when you're full. Don't drink too many soda's which doesn't mean you can't have the odd Coke. Drink a few glasses of water a day and a couple of coffees a day won't hurt. A glass or two of wine with dinner, and if you enjoy a whisky in the evenings by all means - have it.

And most important of all - stop obsessing about food. If you enjoy eating meat and it doesn't make you guilty, then eat it(with respect). We are after all omnivores. If you don't put junk into your body 90% of the time, the odd "treat" is not going to kill you.

Everything in moderation.

bon appetit

Love
Lisa

Some say allergies are caused by your diet. Given what I know about how the body works in terms of dealing with various self-induced imbalances (it's impressively good at rebalancing itself, but we often label the rebalancing process with nasty labels).

And just in case that point was actually convincing, I'll bias my post by saying that I'm vegan.

[InterfaceLeader]

As an added bonus, remember that much of the world is forced to eat whatever they can find, since otherwise they would starve.

At the end of the day, being able to pick and choose our diet is a quite staggering benefit of living in a wealthy country.

For the record, I've been vegetarian (with a high amount of nuts/seeds etc) and it made me feel much more tired/apathetic than being mostly vegetarian with occasional organic/free-range/locally sourced meat every now and then.

However, as everyone says, a diet that is mostly raw veggies, fruit, nuts, and seeds is pretty much an agreed solid foundation from which to start - and after that you can take the wheat/lactose/meat arguments as you prefer. They key though is a variety of veggies and fruit.

[ming]

I suppose the best diet is the natural one, that's to say as it would have been pre-industrial days, think of your ancestors 1000 years ago, how did they feed themselves? I guess fruits and nuts from trees, vegetables, simple handmade bread, fishes straight from the sea to the fire...
When you go shopping ask yourself:
Would my ancestors eat this? Would they have prepared this way?
That would give you an insight in our delusional sophistication when it comes to nourishment.

[Kate Saltfleet]

The perfect diet is one which meets your nutritional needs and meets your spiritual requirements (example, you may not be comfortable eating meat because you believe killing animals is wrong).

It is an individual choice, ultimately what you put into your mouth is your business!!