As a doctor, it is my job to figure out the best way to keep my patients healthy. We now know that food is medicine, with the power to cause or cure most disease. If food is more than just calories, if food controls every aspect of our biology and health, then I better know what to advise people to prevent, treat and even reverse chronic disease.
So the question is… what should I eat to feel good, lose weight and stay healthy? If the answer was simple then we wouldn’t need to have this discussion and all the different food camps wouldn’t need to exist. Overall the scientific evidence is pointing to a Paleo or Vegan diet. Now, you may be asking yourself, “how can scientific studies support the efficacy of both of these two polar opposite diets?”
Looking at the research it is easy to get confused. Vegan diet studies show they help with weight loss, reverse diabetes and lower cholesterol. Paleo diets seem to do the same thing. So should you be avoiding all animal foods and eating only beans, grains and veggies or should you eat meat and fat without guilt and give up all grains and beans? Is there any question as to why we are so nutritionally confused in this country?
Combining a Paleo and Vegan diet is what we recommend. Both of these diets, when done as intended, have more similarities than differences. Here is the outline of the diet that most authorities agree is a healthy diet:
1. Very low glycemic load – low in sugar, flour and refined carbohydrates of all kinds.
2. High in vegetables and fruits. The deeper the colors, the more variety, the better. This provides a high phytonutrient content protective against most diseases, including cancer, heart disease and autoimmune disease.
3. Higher in good quality fats – omega 3 fats for all. And most camps advise good quality fats from olive oil (limited), nuts, seeds and avocados.
4. Adequate protein (not necessarily animal protein) for appetite control and muscle synthesis, especially in the elderly. Animal protein should be grass fed and consumed as a condiment. Think of meat as the side dish. Fish should be low mercury and wild caught.
5. Organic and local fresh foods should be the majority of your diet.
In our clinic, we focus on lots and lots of veggies (half raw and half cooked). We make sure you get “good for you” fats and anti-oxidant rich fruits. Depending on what you are coming in for, the overall diet will be modified specifically for you. However, the overarching principles remain the same: huge amounts of vegetables and fruits, healthy fats such as avocado and nuts and small portions of animal protein/fish a few times per week.
The paleo-vegan diet is the most nutrient-dense, healing and revitalizing way to eat as we currently understand. And once you combine a solid, clean diet with good exercise and healthy daily routines you will be ready to conquer every day and thrive on!
Yours In Health,
Village Center Chiropractic Team