For those of you following our friend Rose's progress, she recently finished the first phase of switching to a nutrient dense diet. What we mean by nutrient dense is that 95 percent of what she eats is power packed with nutrients and void of empty calories or processed foods. That means nearly all of what she eats is plant-based beans, green veggies and fruits and nuts and seeds - all full of disease fighting, anti-aging nutrients.
We're impressed. She's lost 2 pant sizes and tells me she's feeling much better. What the weight loss means for Rose is not purely aesthetic. The more important part of weight loss is how her body is getting better at processing insulin and not making as much. Her risk for cardiovascular disease is diminishing as is a whole host of other diseases related to eating a diet void of nutrients. We encourage you to check out Dr. Joel Furhman's books if you haven't already picked them up.Interview With Another Nutritarian Friend
Rayanne is our friend who appears glamorous even when she is in severe pain with a migraine headache. She has been battling certain health issues and decided to give her diet a closer look to see if she could make some improvements. Because recurring migraines are not glamorous. Here's what she had to say.
1. Why did you decide to make a change in your diet?I lived in Thailand for 3 years when I was younger, moving back to the UK in 2000, when I was 14. Ever since, I have had digestive problems; starting with simple stomach pains, escalating to being tested for Crohn’s, being diagnosed with IBS, cutting out wheat, dairy and meat from my diet and losing two dress sizes in weight. Yes I was a size 10 but I didn’t go through a week without experiencing extreme fatigue or constipation or diarrhea or vomiting…and it just seemed to be getting worse. Intense migraines were added to the list recently which was a real motivator to find out the cause behind my body’s weakness.
All of my New Year resolutions for 2010 are to do with feeling good. At the beginning of this year I went to see a chiropractor, a dentist and also a kinesiologist. This last appointment was really eye opening. I was told that my stomach, liver and intestines were under a lot of strain and as a result my body’s overall health was at 50%. The cause? Parasites. Three gastro squatters had set up camp in my gut in Bangkok and had been living there rather luxuriously for 10 years. I’m happy to say I kicked them out and claimed my digestive system back.
Changing my eating habits seemed to me the natural next step. I owed it to my body to overdose on nutrients to make up for a decade of deficiency. Step in Dr Furhman.
2. Did you read the book Eat To Live and how did it affect you?Yes. Yes. Yes.
In three days. The logic behind every word was so inspirational.
It got me painting again.
3. What did you change about your diet and how did it affect the way you live?
On finishing the book I decided I wanted to do it properly. After cleansing my kitchen and filling it with muddy market marvels I dove head first into the 6 week regime - a diet consisting basically of fruits, nuts and raw and cooked vegetables. The end of Week Four is fast approaching and I do feel pretty bloody good.
In terms of changing the way I live I wouldn’t say anything drastic has happened. I guess the main difference is where I shop and my acute awareness of the foods I buy – 90% of it comes from the local farmer’s market.
And as a result of the 90% rule I can actually live my life. Of course I have been a little ill with detoxing and adapting to the diet but nothing compared to what I was going through. I have more energy to do the things I want, I feel satiated when I eat, I’ve had the privilege to try new and exciting foods I never knew existed and I’m honored enough to have wonderful fellow nutritarians to inspire me. So actually in conclusion I take it back. The way I live has changed quite dramatically and in a fucking awesome way.
4. What have you learned most about yourself?
That I am normal! Minus Wilfred, Winifred and Winston the worms, my body is pretty good at digesting. I have avoided fruit (among so many things) for so long but now I live off apples and oranges, mangoes and strawberries, pears and kiwis and so many other colourful, tasty and gorgeous foods pain free, it’s wonderful.
I’ve also learned that I am quite a good cook, I am dedicated to this life change, motivated to continue it and proud that I’ve kept it up and am in it for the long haul.
5. What have you learned about the world around you?Do not underestimate the power of denial.
People are stuck in tradition and are so blindly loyal to what they have been taught they can’t and don’t want to believe in anything else, irrespective of irrefutable research and results. There is a thick blanket of ignorance over the Western world in regards to nutrition and despite the saying “You are what you eat” being commonplace, the majority of the population are happily tucking into servings of cholesterol, platefuls of heart attacks and side dishes of cancer.
People are willing to eat themselves dead and are equally prepared to omit the natural healing foods their bodies need. Armed with nutritarian knowledge, I now notice this widespread ignorance everywhere and realize change won’t come easy.
6. What were or are the obstacles or difficulties you face with changing your diet?Firstly, I get bored of chewing, I feel like a cow. Lettuce yeah it’s wonderful for your system blah blah but I’m bored of green shit! But I have come across some delicious recipes to jazz up our Leafy Friends which have stopped me (more than once) from throwing the head of lettuce out the window.
Secondly, I was prepared for a serious detox at the beginning of this diet but it never came. I figured my body was too busy with all the vitamins, nutrients, minerals and proteins I was gorging on. However, last weekend I had my first real migraine in a month and this time I had to stay away from the codeine. Pain, nausea and blindness in my right eye for 36 hours = horrendous. The relief when I finally woke up feeling restless and migraine free was immense; my body had finally realized it was getting no prescription help and it came through.
7. Do you feel better/worse? Do you think you look better?
My body feels as though it’s in sync. It’s hard to explain but I feel more spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced.
8. Was or is there anything about changing your diet that has surprised you?
How easy it was. It feels as though I’ve only ever eaten this way. Of course, I’m not a saint, I crave fries and chocolate and deep fried goodness and who knows, after 6 weeks maybe I’ll have some. But knowing what I know now I’ll be much more aware of what it is I’m eating.
9. Has your decision to change your diet affected other people in your life? How?
I wouldn’t say so. I suppose living with a fellow Dr Furhmanite has helped as there are no temptations in the house and we support each other.
On a side note my mother is not very impressed. She thinks I’m starving myself because there is no fish or meat or other animal products in my diet. She has even asked a friend of hers (who suffers from extreme food allergies and helped me I when I moved back to England) to talk to me about ‘what I’m putting my body through.’ I’ll let you know what she says.
Until next time,
Be well little cell.
