Article written by Daniel Max, Holistic Health Counselor, Yoga Instructor, Shiatsu Practitioner, owner of Sense of Self

There are two things that disturb me when I think of diets:

1. I don't believe diets marketed to an entire population are effective. Each person is unique, with different needs based on gender, age, ancestry and lifestyle; how can one diet be right for everyone?
   
2. Diets don't work because they are extreme solutions. As in physics, if a pendulum swings to one extreme, it has to swing equally to the opposite side.

Each new diet has been a response to the nutritional imbalance created by previous "in" diets. The body will respond to restrictive diets in a rebound fashion, craving whatever the diet lacked. If the body feels starved of something, it is. This will probably lead to binging on whatever it is being avoided. This creates a cycle of dieting, craving, binging, and dieting again.

People who fail on diet plans are not flawed and weak. The mere fact that they have decided to put themselves on a diet shows that they are strong willed individuals. Diets don't work because they are too restrictive, requiring by nature discipline and restriction at levels that are unsustainable by a healthy human body.

I find it disturbing that there is no education to help people understand why they are not at their optimal weight. Furthermore, there is a common mentality of blaming the individual. Saying (or at least thinking) "it's your own fault if you are overweight". Is it really?

Advertising:

Diets are a billion-dollar industry; companies spend enormous sums luring us to try the latest diet (low carb, high protein, low fat, no fat, you name it) with promises that this will (finally!) be the solution-your shortcut to a thinner body.

Advertising efforts also deeply affect our children, who develop distorted body images and are often on diets as early as 9 or 10 years of age.

These days, one can't turn on the TV or drive down the road without being confronted with advertisements for food. Food itself is accessible everywhere, from drive-thrus, vending machines, even in bookstores. Portions are commonly served in huge quantities, and the cheapest foods around are unnaturally processed convenience foods that the body cannot breakdown and so they are stored in the body.

Personally, I find false advertising very disturbing. Breakfast cereals are an excellent example. People aiming to improve their health are inundated with ads claiming that certain cereals are the healthy choice. Looking at a box of Kellogg's "smart start, healthy heart" cereal, it has the American heart association seal of approval on it. Meanwhile, the ingredients list 11 different sugars. The same box has health claims such as "contains ingredients that may help lower both blood pressure and cholesterol". I guess they forgot to mention that the oats are toasted in trans fatty oil (partially hydrogenated oil). Trans fat is the primary type of fat leading to heart disease and high cholesterol. It is far worse than any saturated fat. (Note: Since the dosage is low enough per serving, the nutrition label can claim to be trans fat free even if it isn't). This is all on the same box that reads "it doesn't take a genius to eat healthy all day…"

Children are lured to junk foods through the use of popular cartoon characters and the use of addictive additives; parents are enticed by these foods with messages of health - such as added vitamins - to what is an artificial junk food product.

Then there is the 'calorie-free' marketing: A product which is completely artificial is marketed as healthy because it has no calories. Sadly, it has no nutrients either…

If we are concerned with high fat foods, why don't we replace them with nutrient rich low calorie fruits and vegetables? Instead, experts recommend low fat versions of these foods loaded with added sugars and refined starches that have little nutrition to offer besides calories.

A natural way of eating:

Eating can be as natural as breathing, and a source of pleasure. How connected can you feel to your food when you are doing long division to decide what percentage of calories in a piece of bread comes from fat?!

Most people are in denial as to why they gain weight seeing diet as the only culprit. In our fast paced world, we have lost sight of many aspects of life that truly nourish and balance our bodies, such as slowing down, eating a home-cooked meal, and spending quality time with loved ones. Eating consciously and making simple lifestyle changes will create positive results and release you from the endless cycle of dieting.

Balance and a sustainable weight are your birthright. Given the chance, your body will balance out by itself, but this will only be possible by avoiding the diet mentality and listening to what it is you truly need. Imagine taking all of the outward energy you expend on diets, fads and gimmicks and turning it inward, enabling you to listen to your inner wisdom. There is no such thing as a quick fix; you already have everything you need within you. With careful thought and loving reflection, you can feed yourself wisely and purposefully and be completely nourished. Working with your body rather than against it will bring about increased energy, stabilized weight and sustainable health.

Food Focus: Sprouts

In the spring season, seeds flaunt their vitality and energy by sprouting. Sprouts of all varieties contain the building blocks of life in the form of vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and simple sugars. In their early growth state, sprouts are very easy to digest, allowing our bodies to access many wonderful nutrients. Recent research by the American Cancer Society has backed what holistic nutrition has known for years: that sprouts contain anti-cancer properties, high levels of active antioxidants, concentrated amounts of phytochemicals and significant amounts of vitamins A, C and D.

In their raw form, sprouts have a cooling effect on the body, and therefore are best consumed in warm weather or by robust, warm body types. Those who tend to feel cool can try steaming spouts or adding them to warm dishes such as stir-fries and soups, to reduce the cooling effect. There is a wide variety of edible and delicious sprouts, each with a different texture and flavor: alfalfa, mung bean, lentil, radish, clover, sunflower, broccoli, garbanzo and adzuki.

Here are some great ways to serve up sprouts:

• add to salads
  
• combine with other vegetables in wraps, roll-ups or stir-fries
  
• use as garnish on top of soups, stews, omelets or scrambled eggs
  add to rice or whole grain dishes
  
• use in sandwiches instead of lettuce.
  Spring has arrived! Eat sprouts and feel alive!
  I invite you to contact me for a Free Initial Consultation.
  This free hour-long session includes a full discussion of your health history and health goals, a chance to get your questions answered and the opportunity to find out more about a personalized health program, completely catered toward your busy lifestyle and needs.
  To find out more about the services I offer, please visit me at www.maxsenseofself.com.