My Favourite Dietary Theory
I am often asked by friends, family and clients:
Which diet do you follow?
Should I be paleo?
Perhaps I should go raw?
Are you gluten-free?
Are you vegan?
Which is the best diet?
People are very interested in knowing which currently popular dietary theory I swear by.
I think initially they are disappointed by my answer – I mean if I could tell you one set of fool-proof rules to follow it would be easier right? But as I chat with people further they become more and more relaxed, even comforted by my approach.
You see the thing is, I don’t follow a certain dietary theory. I don’t have foods that I tell you that you must or must not eat. It doesn’t work like that.
The reason I choose to start my study at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition was because it approached nutrition from a holistic viewpoint – it is not prescriptive and nor does it push government guidelines. During the course you study over 100 different dietary theories, and are not told what to think, but rather encouraged to think, experiment and learn for ourselves what works best for our own unique bodies. We are then taught how to guide others to learn the same for themselves. There is also an emphasis on the concept of Primary Food (nourishing ourselves through healthy relationships, regular physical activity, a fulfilling career and a spiritual practice) and the role that plays alongside Secondary Food (the food we put on our plate).
This is the approach I like to take when working with others also. More like – let’s look at what is going on with you, let’s look at all areas of your life, and let’s make a plan from there. Because what I did learn is that there is not one way of eating that works for everyone. There are really healthy vegans, really healthy paleo and everything in-between (and also unhealthy people in each of these groups).
One of the problems that I see with labeling the way that you eat is that you stop listening to your body – you are too busy caught up in the ‘rules’. A prime example of this is going ‘gluten-free’. So many people cut gluten out of their diet, but end up eating so many processed gluten-free alternatives to real food, many of which are detrimental to their health, but fit the ‘rules’.
I follow the concept of bio-individuality – the idea that there is no one-size-fits all diet (another key concept taught at IIN) but rather that we are all unique individuals with highly individualised nutritional requirements.
Hippocrates was on to something around 2600 years ago when he said “one mans food is another mans poison“. Many people, companies and professionals swear by a certain food as a superfood – full of all sorts of great essential nutrients. And for many people that will be the case, but for others it may create all sorts of reactions, ranging from excess mucus production, itchy skin, bloating, through to a severe allergic reaction. Doesn’t sound like much of a superfood for that person huh! Of course one thing I think we all agree on is that reducing processed foods and food-like substances, and increasing our intake of food as nature provides, is a good place to start for everyone.
When working with me (either on my VIP 1:1 programme, or through the Seasonal Reboot/Detox) the aim is to help you discover the way of eating that works best for you and your unique body. When we get this right people typically experience less cravings, more energy, better sleep, improved bowel motions, weight loss – and that is just the start! No rules to follow, just eating in the way that nourishes YOU best.
So what dietary therapy do I recommend that suits everyone? A predominately wholefoods/real foods focus and a way of eating that works for you. Simple!
