Years ago I read the book ‘A Lifelong Fit’ and now I read ‘A Lifelong Fit 2 (Edition 1985)’. 15 years ago I certainly benefited from it: I lost 12 kilograms. The method appeals to me, but I find little scientific support for it. In short, it comes down to the right combination of foods, where dairy and meat are avoided as much as possible. Instead, you eat the so-called life food, which is nothing more than raw vegetables as much as possible. They call it Natural Hygiene. Now I have read something about flexitarian eating. You also use less animal products. It seems to me a more modern version of Natural Hygiene. Can you endorse that? In addition, I would like to find a way that makes me feel a little better. Now I regularly suffer from bloating, rising stomach acid and more of that kind of minor displeasure. I am 50 years old, 1.83 meters and 86 kilos. As far as I’m concerned, I could also lose a few pounds. In addition to my office job, I walk every day for lunch and I regularly run for a while.
Rinus
Dear Rinus,
There are many different ideas about what healthy food is for our body and how we can best lose weight. Dieting often works well, but maintaining the weight you have achieved is often the most difficult. Avoiding certain combinations of foods or substances, characteristic of the ‘fit for a lifetime’ (carbohydrates and proteins not to be eaten together) is in any case not practical and therefore difficult to maintain. The Nutrition Center gives more information.
It is good to follow your gut feeling, what works best for yourself and is best to maintain. If you choose to eat little or no animal products, you will miss certain nutrients. For example, vitamin B12 is only found in animal products. A vitamin deficiency B12 can cause fatigue. Like an iron deficiency. Meat, in particular, is an important source of this mineral. And dairy is our main source of calcium. A multivitamin can replenish the missed vitamins and minerals.
Flexetarian eating means not eating meat for one or more days and on those days opting for alternatives such as egg and meat substitutes. You don’t have to miss the most important nutrients in meat.
Finally, it is difficult for me to say what the causes of your gastrointestinal complaints may be. Eating too greasy, eating too quickly and some pungent herbs can cause stomach or intestinal complaints. But if you want to be well guided in your aim to lose a few kilos, ask a dietician for advice. If you are really concerned about your health, see your doctor.
good luck and greetings,
Susan
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