| HEALTH >
Diversify your diet for better health
Written by: Blanka Junová
Photo: Isifa
The ability to adapt to new circumstances
is the essence of a successful life. We must constantly develop
ourselves, discard old dogmas, and discover new solutions. A change
in eating habits may be part of this development.
| What
to expect
A description of some sensations and symptoms
related to a change in diet. These will be most noticeable
in cases when certain foods are completely excluded,
or in the case of so-called "cleansing"
diets.
Sugar
Probable symptoms: fatigue, depression, dizziness,
loss of concentration or coordination
Duration: 1 to 5 days
Caffeine
Probable symptoms: headache, nervousness, hand tremors,
etc.
Duration: 1 to 10 days
Milk and dairy products
Probable symptoms: Elimination of phlegm (and other
flu-like ailments)
Duration: may start within three months and last 1
or 2 years
Meat, fats, etc.
Probable symptoms: body odor, furry tongue, feelings
of toxicity, acne, rashes
Duration: 1 to 4 weeks when fasting, 6 to 10 months
when cleansing |
|
REASONS MAY VARY: some may be forced by health concerns, for others
the desire to lose weight might be a strong motive, while many just
want to improve their lifestyle and, in so doing, prevent problems
in the future. While deciding to make a change, we are prime targets
for the advertising slogans, so we plunge headlong into unknown
waters - and the result is often disappointment, a sharp decline
in motivation and a return to our original habits. In order to avoid
this scenario, it is important to know what accompanies the process
of changing a diet.
How long does it take?
No time limit is set exactly - it depends on your abilities, needs
and nature. A sudden change could be necessary in the case of a
serious illness. It brings more radical results, but increases the
risk of the so-called "pendulum effect": a sudden improvement
can be followed by a reaction in the form of a powerful appetite
for "prohibited" foods. Gradual change takes longer (on
average about a year) and the results are gradual (less noticeable),
but this kind of change is much less demanding on our body and mind.
Changing tastes
Most of us subconsciously defend ourselves against a change in the
taste, appearance or smell of food - this is an instinctive defense
against the potential danger of poisoning. We evaluate each new
meal according to the degree to which it resembles the food we are
used to. Maybe this is why the opinion is deeply rooted in us that
healthy food cannot taste good. For this reason, it is easier to
introduce new foods gradually, or by selecting foods similar in
taste and appearance to what we routinely eat. With a gradual change,
we will sooner or later begin to discover new tastes and create
new preferences without having to forcibly give up the old ones.
Then even a healthy meal can be a gourmet delicacy.
Different food, different preparation
Just as a change in diet is connected with new food, one must also
learn new ways of preparation, combination and dining. Sometimes
the result is not the best, or the cooked meal doesn't correspond
to what you had in mind. Try preparing meals that are tried and
true, and every so often give something new a try. Cooking with
someone who already has some experience with a "diet changeover",
or taking special cooking lessons may make the transition more pleasant.
The body's reaction
A change in diet can be accompanied by unpleasant feelings that
follow from the digestive system's adaptation process. These symptoms
are similar to fasting and can resemble those of certain illnesses.
For many people such a reaction is very demotivating - they eat
healthier, but feel worse than before. However, the main thing to
remember is that the result of this process is extremely positive.
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