Samuel Hahnemann the father of Modern homeopathy referred to lifestyle problems, which prevent us from healing ourselves, as obstacles to cure. Removing obstacles which debilitate our bodies ability to regenerate and heal is the first step in revitalizing our health. Choosing foods which supply adequate nutrition and promote our bodies to expel toxins is our second dietary step. Many children with chronic ear infections have been helped by the simple step of removing milk and sugar products from their diets. Many adults have more then one dietary obstacle and after years of debilitation need energy from intensified nutrition before they can heal.
The first important premise of the following dietary suggestions is to avoid processed, economically adulterated foods, stimulants, and synthetic chemicals (obstacles to cure). The second is to choose foods which stimulate and support a healthy lifestyle.
The following is a general list of food choices which over the years have been proven effective in attaining a healthy response for most individuals. Everyone is unique. A good natural healing practitioner will look for specific lifestyle choices which have brought harm to an individual. This is not the only answer, but a very good start for most individuals.
Eating Healthy To Stimulate Yourself To Heal:
Increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables (preferably organic). Definitely organic if suffering with cancer, MS, AIDS or other chronic immune system ailments. Juicing organics is a great way to help build your immune system. Clean your fruits and veggies thoroughly. Grapefruit seed extract, Dr. Bohner’s soap (not mint), or a mixture of salt and white vinegar can help to remove pesticide residue if not organic.
Add Un-processed Whole Grains to your menus. Brown rice, millet, buckwheat, oats, corn, barley, quinoa, spelt, add B vitamins and a variety of healthy minerals. Products that are whitened or bleached have the goodness removed and will leach vitamins and minerals from your system as you digest. (I would prefer to remove wheat from the okay list. Wheat is too excessive in our society and has been changed by extreme hybridization. Most people have some allergy to its gluten. However, wheat is very difficult to avoid). Sprouted wheat is fine. Sprouted grain breads are great, such as Ezekiel bread. (Be careful if you need to avoid wheat explicitly, quite a few sprouted grain breads also use wheat flour). Brown rice pasta can be a good replacement choice for some.
Meats to enjoy are wild fish (preferably salmon, mackerel, sardines, or kippers for their essential fatty acids), turkey, and some lean beef and lamb. Avoid pork, and chicken (chicken may be enjoyed if free range and organic). Deli meats are too loaded with additives (especially nitrates and nitrites). There are some specialized deli meats and sausages which have no nitrates or other food additives and preservatives. These can be used moderately.
For some people organic milk products may be used. Milk products are a great concern for most people with upper respiratory and digestive complaints. People with lung or bronchial disorders, asthma, chronic ear infections, throat irritations, sinus problems, or going through a current acute ailment like a cold or flu in most instances should avoid milk products like the plague. If milk products are used, choose organic to avoid hormones and drugs. No margarines, unless organic and specifically stated not to contain any hydrogenated oils. Unsalted sweet butter is okay in moderation unless trying to loose weight or avoid cholesterol. If using yogurt make sure it has a live bacterial culture and no added sugar, or other sweetener. Ice cream and frozen yogurt are usually complete junk with all the additives. Getting rid of milk products altogether for some is absolutely necessary, but can be very difficult. Sometimes choosing the lesser of two evils in a weak moment of need may be the best choice. For a lesser of two evils Soy Delicious is a brand of alternative non-dairy ice cream style dessert, or Rice Dream. If using a cheese then use a good quality mozzarella. Soy cheese may be okay if you don’t have a thyroid problem.
Use cage free, organic, or fresh local eggs.
The only oil I would recommend to cook with is a good quality Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil. If it is not cold pressed don’t use it. Do not use rancid oil. Always keep oils in the refrigerator and if it goes bad then toss it. (Olive oil may solidify in your refrigerator. Running a little hot tap water over the bottle before use can help). Cold Pressed Organic Flax seed oil is great, but best used raw, not cooked. Coconut oil has some health properties and is the only vegetable saturated fat. It can be used in moderation.
Beans, nuts, and legumes are great. Make sure nuts are fresh. If nuts get old their oils are rancid and cause toxins in your body. If you use soy products make sure they are organic, and cooked not raw. There are too many gmos in the non organic soy products these days.
Definitely avoid any artificial sweetener. In my opinion there are none that are safe. Most of the synthetic sweeteners were established for their economical reasons alone, not for your health.
Sugar should be avoided. It depletes the immune system drastically and causes many symptoms we are unaware of because of its excessive use in our society. Stevia is a good replacement especially if diabetic. Honey and 100% Maple syrup can be used moderately as replacements especially for baking. If the honey is raw and locally produced it may help with allergies as well.
Please, eat foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. Avoid bottled sauces, processed, fast food, frozen, canned, microwaveable, artificially sweetened or artificially colored foods. Read the labels. If the labels are not specific and give generalizations such as (spices) to describe their ingredients, then avoid them. MSG one of the most toxic substances in our foods and related to countless health problems can simply be listed under the general heading of, "spice" in a food.
Please, drink filtered water and fresh squeezed juices (fruit juices are better if diluted with water because of their high sugar content). The fruit teas, naturally caffeine free are good like raspberry tea. Licorice tea is good for digestion. But remember when using remedies the herbal medicinal teas like chamomile can antidote certain remedies (especially nux vomica). Techino for an alternative to a brewed flavored beverage can be used with moderation. Also Roma and Puro can be used to replace coffee in moderation. A good filtration system for water is reverse osmosis. Juices should not be bottled or concentrated. Avoid the sparkling waters. Sodas cause obesity and quite a few other problems (whether diet or otherwise). Coffee is a stomach irritant and just all around a nasty health hazard reduce and avoid as much as possible (if you have any worries about cancer or tumors then all caffeinated products should be dropped). Rice milk, Soy milk, and almond milks are okay, again preferably organic. No soy if thyroid is a problem.
Use unbleached Sea Salt without any anti-caking agents. If it don’t clump, don’t use it. Sea Salt can be purchased at many health-food stores. Regular bleached iodized salt is unhealthy. If you are worried about getting enough iodine then sprinkle dried granulated kelp on your food like salt. (If cancer is a concern then no added salt in the diet whatsoever is recommended)
Please, do not use the microwave for cooking, throw it out. Microwaving food significantly changes food nutrients. Your food needs to be in as healthy and natural a state as possible to be of use for you in your re-discovery of your health.
Remember if you have a chronic health concern, then what you most crave is generally most harmful to you. Rotate your food choices. No matter how healthy a specific item is if your body doesn't get a rest from it, then it's likely to become harmful in the future. You need variety and a change from what you have used in the past. Just do your best. It is normal to be overwhelmed by such a list. Let go at your own pace. This is for the long-haul. Sprinting to the finish line will not work here. Fast easily prepared foods are created for convenience and addiction, not health. Any questions please write them all down then call to get them answered. Thank you for your courage to change your health. I'm honored to be of service.