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.

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