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DIET FORM FOR CHRONICALLY ILL PATIENTS
The body that has been out of balance for at least 3 months, with an auto-immune
disorder, chronic degenerative disease, diabetes, asthma/allergies, sinusitis, and the list
goes on and on, will need to be detoxified/cleansed, “re-educated,” and then supplied
with the proper nutrients/energy/environment to re-build or heal itself. The purpose of
this form is to provide you with the basic foundation of your diet…in other words, here is
what you CAN eat (there are always a few exceptions in the crowd)!
First- While you are in a healing phase, you should avoid coffee, caffeinated
beverages, alcohol, sodas, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, dairy, and artificial
ingredients. Yes, this pretty much means EVERYTHING you have been consuming!
Instead of focusing on what you CANNOT eat, try concentrating on what is going to lead
you back to a state of health and wellness.
Drink water from a good, clean source. Avoid chlorinated (most city water)
water…filtered, spring or well water is ok.
Carbohydrates: Fruit: focus on fruit that is in-season…apples in the Fall, dates,
prunes, and figs in the Winter, citrus, strawberries, and plums in the Spring, and berries,
melons, pears, peaches, nectarines, and some tropical fruits in the Summer. Some of you
will be told to minimize or avoid fruits.
Vegetables: focus on veggies that are in-season…cabbage,
carrot, artichoke, leeks, potatoes, pumpkin, squash (winter), and yams/sweet potatoes in
the Fall and Winter (adding more warming spices as the weather cools, such as ginger,
garlic, and onions), beets, beet greens, broccoli, all greens and sprouts in the Spring, and
beets, cucumber, beans, radish, broccoli, cauliflower, and summer squash in the Summer.
Protein: Good, clean sources of poultry (chicken & turkey), fish (oily fish is
better, such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines), and in the Fall/Winter, venison, elk, and
other wild game is ok in moderation. For those without sensitivities/allergies to eggs,
free-range eggs that are free of antibiotics are a great way to start the day, 3-4 days per
week. Some of you will have problems digesting protein, so an acceptable alternative
will be suggested, such as a protein powder from a hypo-allergenic source such as
vegetables, or a protein supplement like spirulina may be recommended. It is crucial to
prepare all your foods properly, but especially proteins. Do not overcook/dry-out your
meats. This makes them hard-to-digest, and a tremendous burden to the digestive system
as a whole. Also, keep your portion sizes no bigger than the palm of your hand.
A variety of beans and grains (including soybeans, red beans, black beans, kidney beans,
adzuki beans, rice, brown rice, millet, spelt, amaranth, quinoa, and barley) are essential if
animal products are being removed from the diet. Just as important is the preparation of
these items. For the Chronically ill, a pressure-cooker is highly recommended as it opens
up the beans/grains and makes them much more digestible. Soaking beans overnight,
changing the water at least once is also highly recommended.
Fats: Minimize saturated fats (found in animal protein, especially in red meat),
and use monounsaturated fats such as olive oil (extra virgin is preferred) and canola oil
liberally. It is also important to get plenty of the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids
(fats), such as wheat germ, sesame oil, flaxseed oil, and walnut. Omega-3’s are the
flaxseed, walnut, and canola oils and are very important in healing inflammatory
conditions in the body. As important as the kind of oil is the quality of the oil. Too many
people pay little or no attention to this factor and consume rancid fats, which wreak
havoc on the digestive system, namely, the Liver and Gallbladder. Make sure your oils
are stored in cooler areas, blocked from sunlight, and that they are not too old. Smell
them, and if you have any doubts, toss them and purchase new bottles, putting the
purchase date on the label.
Finally, keep your meals simple. Too many people combine too many foods, often of
complex nature, making digestion quite a challenge for the body, and then magnifying
this problem by further stifling their digestive energy by having a sweet, rich dessert, and
instead of going for a nice walk to stimulate movement through the system, they sit
around until it is time to go to bed.
Changing a diet and eating habits cannot occur overnight, but it takes commitment and
personal responsibility. Take this as a challenge. Ask questions, read labels, make
grocery lists, write down new foods and menu ideas…and as time passes, you will adopt
these healthy changes into new habits that will truly create a new you.