DIET

We're living in age of metabolical dysfunction, In fact we're in the midst of a poor metabolic health epidemic.  It's being fueled by a lack of aerobic fitness, poor diet and faulty exhaust system. The engine that drives out metabolic system is being starved of oxygen and the right type and right amount of fuel.

With respect to our fuel intake, what that means is that as a society generally we're not eating enough of the right food at the right time.

In an earlier time, the sage said that it was the love of money that was the root of all kinds of evil. At the beginning of the 21st Century, the love of junk food it is the root of all kinds of body system dysfunction.

However, the good news is that if the body has become compromised by poor food choices (keeping in mind that that the food industry is struggling to deliver food in all its nutritional glory), then there is a good chance that the body's recuperative power can be stimulated by a diet of good food.

And keep in mind that we all wedged in a struggle between the need to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables and the pressure from the food manufacturing industry to have us eat more of the garbohydrates (yep that's a 'g' not a 'c'), high energy dense foods made with combinations of fat, flour and sugar.

Give yourself a score out of 10 for each of the questions below. A good score is a high score.

1.    Body composition

Are you carrying extra fat around your body? Scores based on percent body fat or how many kilos you believe you are over your ideal weight.

Weight ...............   Percent body fat ...........

2.    Do you eat a decent breakfast?

Score 5 or less if it's just flour and sugar. Score zero if you don't have any at all.

3.    High fat diet

Is your fat intake consistent with your weight?

If you eat too much fat score low; fat on its own or in combination with starch ( chips, dry biscuits, pizza ...) or sugar (chocolate, ice-cream, fudge), or starch and sugar (sweet biscuits, cake ...).

4.    High starch diet

Is your starch intake consistent with your weight?

If you eat too much starch score low; (bread, pasta, rice ...)

5.    Do you eat predominantly from the top of the Hourglass:

- plenty of vegetables and fruit mixed with adequate protein and fat.

6.    How many glasses of plain, unadulterated water do you have a day?

7.   Essential nutrients

When you look at your health do you think that you get enough of the essential vitamins, minerals, fats and glycoproteins?

8.    Do you eat too much?

9.    Addictions and cravings

Are you ruled by your addictions and cravings to foods that aren’t good for you – like chocolate, biscuits, cake and ice cream?

10.  Back end function

Does the back end of your system work like a charm? Score low if you have an irritable bowel or diarrhoea, are constipated and/or have piles. Give yourself a00 ‘6’ if you only go once a day! You need more fibre.

Attained more than 7/10 on all items   Yes  o    No   o

Attained more than 70/100                   Yes  o    No o

If you did you're probably close to your ideal weight and in good health.

Here's the Hourglass Diet. Eat from the top of it. If you've got a junk food habit, don't buy the stuff; don't stock it in your house.

CHEMICAL INTAKE PROFILE

Socially accepted drug use, including the junk pharmaceuticals has become an integral part of our culture, particularly by people who are either over-stimulated or under-stimulated by their lives. The effects on the body can be both acute and chronic.

Give yourself a score out of 10 for each of the questions below. A good score is a high score.

1.    Do you smoke. Score 1 point for every cigarette you have a day.

2.    Alcohol How many alcoholic drinks do you have a week? A glass of

       wine scores one point, a glass of full strength beer half a point and

       a glass of low alcohol beer a quarter of a point.

3.    Caffeine How many cups of coffee, tea or cola drinks do you have

       a day? Also include chocolate intake.

4.    Do you persistently feed a sweet tooth?

We live in a high sugar culture. Sugar is the most popular mood enhancing drug.

5.    Inflammatory tablets

How would you rate your reliance on anti-inflammatory tablets? If you use them constantly score zero.

6.    Headache and pain tablets

How do you rate your reliance on headache and pain killing tablets? If you use them constantly score zero.

7.    Sleeping tablets

How would you rate your reliance on sleeping tablets? If you use them constantly to go to sleep score zero.

8.   Blood pressure medication

How would you rate your reliance on blood pressure medication? If you're on medication score zero.

9.  Diabetes medication

How would you rate your reliance on diabetes medication? If you're on medication score zero.

10.   Anti-depressant medication

How would you rate your reliance on anti-depressant medication? If you're on medication score zero.

RECOMMENDATIONS

In association with your physician and your health and fitness advisors, set yourself a target to be medication free.  None of the metabolic symptoms, (headaches, poor sleep, inflammation, high blood pressure, diabetes or depression is caused by a lack of medication). There is a high likelihood that the symptoms will disappear once you're back in top physical and mental shape. Make that your goal.

Look after your health and the symptoms of poor health will look after themselves.

Set a goal to be smoke free within the next 2 to 4 weeks.

Set a goal to have an alcohol free day, and alcohol free week, and alcohol free month, and alcohol free year; which ever you need to do. you'll feel better. Alcohol is a depressant.

7 Salvado Place, Stirling (Canberra) ACT 2611 Australia

61 2 6288 7703