What You Don't Eat Is More Important Than What You Do Eat!

No matter where you turn, whether it be on TV, in newspapers or in magazines, there are messages telling you what not to eat. The only problem is that most of these messages are very conflicting. For instance, one day we are told that eggs are good for us, yet the very next day we are told that eggs are bad for our heart. Eat fruit, don't eat fruit, cut out fat, you're body requires fat, carbs are bad, carbs are essential!! It can all be very confusing. Exactly what are the nutritionists trying to tell us? The answer comes down to what you don't eat is more important than what you do eat.

You will need to start from the very beginning to figure out which foods are going to help give us the highest health potential. And the beginning means to sit down with a pen and paper, and not everything that you eat on a daily basis. Remember to be true to yourself and write down everything that goes into your mouth, even those little morsels whilst cooking dinner! By doing this you will be able to break most foods down into a few simple categories such as:

• Meats ( Beef, Pork, Chicken, Fish, Shellfish etc.)
• Wheat (Pasta, Bread, Desserts etc.)
• Dairy (Milk, Yoghurt, Cheese, Creams, Desserts etc.)
• Corn (Soft Drinks, Anything Sweetened, Chips etc.)
• Fruits
• Vegetables

Now it is time to start a new list. Firstly add fruit and vegetables to the list. Then from the old list remove any foods that do not contribute to your good health, such as processed foods, desserts etc. Add all of the remaining foods to your new list.

We added fruit and vegetables to the list first because the are essential for your total well-being and optimal health. It is recommended that we eat 7-10 serves of vegetables and 2-3 serves of fruit every day. Fruits and vegetables are full of natural fibre and vital nutrients. Also by eating the required amount of fruits and vegetables daily will help to eliminate the urge to snack on foods that are not so good for you. The reason for this is because of the natural fibre you will have the satisfaction of feeling fuller for longer reducing the urge to snack unnecessarily.

Now it is time to go back to your list. Look very carefully as maybe there are still some foods that need to be improved upon. Maybe you eat white bread or white rice. Consider changing these to healthful grains such as brown rice, quinoa, barley and buckwheat.

Also make sure all of your protein choices are lean cuts. Remove all visible fat from your meat and ALWAYS remove the skin from your chicken. I know, I know!! Crispy chicken skin is very tasty, but think of the health benefits you are receiving by removing it.

Now for your dairy products. Some people will tell you not to eat dairy at all, while others will tell you that dairy is essential. Well the answer is, you may eat dairy in smaller portions, but make absolutely sure that it is low fat. Many people are concerned that they will not be getting sufficient calcium in their diet by reducing dairy. But as long as you are eating sufficient green vegetables, especially broccoli, you will be getting more than enough.

By following these guidelines you are giving your body a chance to rejuvenate itself. Try this for 30 days, eliminating all of the "bad foods" from your list. After 30 days you can try slowly introducing the foods that were removed and see what kind of effects they have on your body.

If you do not experience ill side effects then the food you have chosen is probably safe to add back to your list. However, if you do experience side effects then you have solid proof that the food you have eliminated was never good for you in the first place.

Chances are, after 30 days of clean eating you will be feeling so great, full of energy and vitality that you won't want to return to your old eating habits at all.