DIET THERAPY WITH IDEAL MENU
We all eat to live, but a balanced diet is necessary for a long life. For diseases, the diet should be consulted by an expert.
DETOXIFICATION DIET
Fruit, raw vegetables, yoghurt and water are recommended to eliminate toxins caused by poor digestion of waste products absorbed from the environment. Allergies and arthritis are claimed to be alleviated by the detoxification process.
RAW FOOD DIET
A Swiss doctor developed it. It comprises 70 per cent of raw fruit and vegetables, 30 per cent grains, dairy products, meat and nuts. It improves digestion and increases longevity and is said to maintain food’s chemical activity because it is taken in cooked form.
VEGETARIAN DIET
Only meat and fish are excluded, but dairy products and eggs are included, apart from the inclusion of a significant portion of vegetables and fruits. Vegetarianism reduces the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, colon cancer and osteoporosis. A vegetarian diet is accepted as an all-inclusive potent food plan for many health problems.
MACROBIOTIC DIET
This diet was introduced by George Osawa, a Japanese practitioner who chose certain food items which stood the test of Yin or Yang factors. Foods like fruits, nuts and vegetables are called calming foods and are mononucleated as’ Yin foods’, whereas root vegetables, cereals and fish are called strengthening foods or ‘Yang foods’.
GERSON THERAPY
This good therapy was devised by an American doctor Dr Max Gerson who described it as an anti-cancer regime. It aims at raising the alkaline level of body tissues. It is based on an organic veggie diet, low salt, supplemented with an hourly vegetable and fruit juice intake and coffee enemas. It is a controversial therapy, having no medical or therapeutic support.
VEGAN DIET
This dietary pattern excludes eggs, dairy products and honey but only focuses on fruits and vegetables. This diet is deficient in Vitamin B12. It is a protein-enriched diet supplied by pulses, grains, nuts and cereals. Disorders like high blood pressure, arthritis, angina, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma are claimed to have been cured by this therapy.
HAY DIET
Dr William Hay of the United States developed this dietary pattern called a ‘Food combining diet.’ He firmly believed that carbohydrates and proteins should not be taken in the same meals as both are the foods that fight. Proteins cause the stomach to produce acid, while carbohydrates should be digested in an alkaline environment, but natural foods can efficiently combine with either group. Hence it is better to eat only the Hay diet.
ORNISH REVERSAL DIET
Dr Dean Ornish believed an ideal diet should consist of high carbohydrates and fibre but low in fat and cholesterol, excluding animal products, non-fat milk and yoghurt.
Some American doctors rely on his suggestions to reverse heart disease, of course, with the support of meditation, yoga and exercise.
INDIAN DIET
Most of our restricted diets are generally well-balanced, and people do not have to spend extra money. In northern India, wheat, black gram, pulses, pure ghee, milk, yoghurt, whey, raw and cooked vegetables, and seasonal fruits are essential to the daily diet. Even though most people were unaware of the nutrients, i.e. even then, their daily diet didn’t lack crucial nutrients. Besides, vegetation was not toxified by chemical manure, pesticides and insecticides; people inhaled the fresh air, moved freely in open fields, exerted their bodies to strenuous activity, took complete rest and enjoyed life. The cooking medium changed from pure ghee to mustard oil, coconut oil, and scaffold, but milk and milk products were used in one form. People believed in taking ‘Satvik food’, but seafood may be used in coastal areas due to weather demands. Some people lived only on seasonal fruits, milk, whey, and curd and maintained normal health.
FOODS TO BE REPLACED/LIMITED
• Limit intake of cheese and red meats high in saturated fat content.
• Number of calories obtained from fat must be kept below 30 per cent of the total daily dietary intake of calories.
• Not more than 10 per cent of total fat calories should be obtained from saturated fat intake.
• Avoid processed and junk foods overloaded with flavouring preservatives and colourings.
• Butter should be replaced with soft margarine or low-fat foods high in polyunsaturated fats. Spread it thinly.
• To keep the blood sugar level within normal limits, consume limited quantities of sugar.
• Salt intake must be limited. Avoid eating salty foods and also adding (extra) salt to meals. Also, do not consume processed meats and crispy eatables.
• Limit the use of tea, coffee, cold drinks, chocolates and sweets to reduce caffeine intake. Instead, you may use herbal tea with advantages but without hassles.
• Excessive intake of alcohol must be reduced.
• Do not use solid spices and condiments as they irritate the stomach.
IDEAL MENU AND TIMINGS
• On rising early in the morning, drink a glass or two of normal water.
• Take a glass of juice (carrot/apple with sweet lime/ orange) before going for a brisk walk around 7 a.m. (during summer, 6 a.m.) If it suits you, take a cup of skimmed milk after vigorous yogic exercises.
Lunch (10 a.m.)
Take nutritious food as you need. Take good Salads, enough energy for working whole (consume first), cooked day. Vegetables 2 or 3 cups, chapati 2-3 or rice 2 cups, 2 cups cooked pulse, 1 or 2 cups of yoghurt (Dahi), steamed vegetables 1/2 or 1 cup.
Supper (Around 7 p.m.) Out of 1600 Calories consumed during the day, evening meals should not contain more than 350 calories.
As per your taste and choice but light, e.g. (A) 1 or 2 cooked vegetables, with one chapati and 1 cup of yoghurt or (B) 1 cup soup, I fruit and raw vegetables or (C) 2 cups of skimmed milk with 1 or 2 bananas or apples or toast or bread slices.
• If you have to go out for dinner, take just a cup of skimmed milk or soup or eat some roasted grams or fruits/ vegetables at around 6 p.m. before going. If you take a late evening dinner, drink a glass of lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon in one glass of warm water) the following morning (empty stomach).
HERBS AND SPICES
• You may use asafoetida (Hing), cloves, coriander, garlic, ginger, saunf, turmeric, cumin (Jeera), cardamom, ajwain, pepper, and kali rai.
• Bed tea/coffee is very harmful. Avoid tea/coffee/cold drinks and fried items always.