| Dietary Transition: It's a Wholistic Process
By David Klein, Health Education Consultant
People commonly associate their lifestyle
habits with their selves; they hold the idea that their identity is the sum of their daily
routine, and the thought of exploring new experiences outside of their norm is
discomforting.
"I'm not going to stop eating meat. I
could never change myself, and I don't want to!"
Can you relate to that one? I've heard it
many times. I've also heard many so-called "vegetarians" profess how
health-fully they eat, yet they regularly go for bean and cheese burritos at Taco Bell.
In view of all the information coming out
linking the fatty and heavily processed standard American diet with the incidence of
serious health problems, what is it that still holds people back from making changes, even
if deep down inside they'd really like to?
I believe the key here is comfort. We become
comfortable with our habits, especially the dulling ones, and tragically we accept
whatever consequences the unhealthful ones bring. Cooked heavy foods - meat, dairy and
flour - are very dulling. They literally clog and glue us up, slow us down, stifle our
brain power and lead to rapid aging and illness. Further-more, all cooked foods pervert
our natural appreciation for our natural foods; they fool our senses.
So, what can help us loosen the grip on the
unhealthful habits? A most effective concept to make real is, we are not our habits. You
may read about this in Anthony Robbins' "Unlimited Power". Anthony's book
teaches us how to become the master of our destiny, rather than a prisoner of our habits
and self-limiting thoughts, by applying the science of Neuro-Linguistic Program-ming
("NLP", developed by Bandler and Grinder in the 1970's). This concept opens us
up to new diet and lifestyle choices, allowing us to more easily pursue our goals.
Here's how the diet transition process works:
First we define our goals as clearly as possible. Then we begin a process of
self-education, setting our sights on the truth about nutrition, health and life, reading,
observing, asking questions, taking nothing at face value; we prove our own truths and
question our own perceptions. We incorporate more and more fresh foods into our diet,
selecting those which taste and harmonize best with our system. We develop a satisfying
eating style which follows food combining guidelines for proper digestion, supports
balanced energy, peak productivity and physical rejuvenation. All the while we reflect on
how our body is responding, using the feedback to refine our eating style.
The transition process becomes more
successful as we increase our awareness about our whole mind-body process and cultivate a
"let-it-flow" attitude which loosens our attachment to past unhealthful habits.
Do you desire to make a transition to a more
natural diet? Does that make sense intellectually and emotionally? Perhaps you have some
doubts or fears. Then plunge into the self-education process. Your process may be enhanced
by obtaining guidance from experienced health professionals who know the dynamics of the
transition process and who "walk the talk." I have over 12 years in the study
and practice of life science; Roe has over 20. We'd love to help you!
Dietary transition is an unfolding process
which can be a wonderful odyssey which lifts your quality of life in ways you never
thought possible. For it to be successful, we need to start with the basics. I recommend
studying the "Dietary Transition Guidelines" on page 7, and reading as many
publications from our reading list as you can.
In the next issue I'll discuss how to
determine which foods will best help you create peak health, and I'll provide ideas on how
to comfortably increase the proportion of those foods into your diet. I'll also address
the physiological and mental changes which may come about as you shift toward a more
natural and healthful lifestyle. |
