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 | Healthy Alternatives
by
Susie Cooper, ND
Board Certified Doctor of Naturopathy
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Last month we covered some of the basics of healthy weight loss. We also explored the difference between healthy and unhealthy weight loss. There is a huge difference between how your body responds to dietary changes that make nutritional sense along with taking high quality, safe supplements that will work with your body, instead of taking low-quality formulas which don’t work with your body and force it into sudden metabolic and functional changes harshly.
This time, I would like to answer the question from the reader directly, by addressing nutritional options. The question was: “... but I am still very overweight, is there anything strong enough to help curb my appetite?” After trying “everything” with no success, the problem becomes more complex, but it is just a matter of changing the way you look at the question to begin with, shifting your perspective.
When I hear of this type of experience, the first thing I realize is that the person has been treating their body with supplements, over the counter medicines and even prescription Fen Phen, by just trying to suppress symptoms such as increased appetite. In natural medicine, we try to teach people about the possibilities of treating the person, and not just the symptom. Example: When we go to the drugstore to get an over the counter medicine or a prescription, we are treating the symptom only, without regard to the whole picture of the person. Many times people think of using even herbs and supplements in just this same manner also, by treating symptoms only.
You can get results this way, however minimal, but many times at a cost of suffering through side-effects (with prescriptions and OTC's) and reoccurence, and in the case of weightloss the pounds come right back on over the months ahead. This is because you haven’t supported what your body needs from a deeper place, because you haven’t treated the individual uniquely. The cookie-cutter approach doesn’t work in the long run, especially for healthy weightloss. Each person is unique, and so is the program they should be on.
Healthy alternatives:
Like we discussed last time, cleansing the body with a gentle, yet effective natural cleanse is really important (see last month’s column for more details). Drink at least 6-8 glasses of spring or filtered water each day. These are two of the most important first steps to curbing appetite cravings.
By releasing toxins built up and accumulated in the body, the system becomes more refreshed. Bio-chemical changes and improvements start to happen with this refreshing change, aiding in metabolism, burning calories more efficiently. The “routine” of craving sweets or carbs, for example, is not supported chemically in the body like it once was by a more imbalanced and toxic system, thereby minimizing cravings. And, all of a sudden, people start to feel like they have more energy to even exercise regularly.
Once you start to feel how good it feels to cleanse, you want more of that good feeling. The positive domino-effect that cleansing can create can lead to a much healthier lifestyle in general.
Next, address nutrition uniquely. People are different. Some body-types are more needy of proteins and less carbs, some types do much better with healthy carbs and minimal proteins, some do great with a balanced vegetarian diet, and some do wonderfully with a raw-food diet of raw fruits and vegetables (which can comprise 50-80% of your daily diet.)
There has been a big battle between the proponents of a high protein/low carb diets and the proponents of a more vegetarian approach. Both can be right, but neither one is right for every single person. I consider elements of each approach for people.
Example: My husband tried to become a vegetarian (like me) several years ago, and he made it for 3 months. He could go no further, even though I put together balanced meals for us. His metabolism is very different from mine, and he required much higher levels of protein (naturally-raised meats) than I did.
I have not eaten beef or pork in about 14 years, and I do real well with vegetarian-based proteins such as tofu, tempeh, beans, vege burgers, etc., along with brown rice, raw and steamed vegetables, and fruits. Many years ago I actually lost 25 pounds over 6 months by making the change to this type of healthy diet, along with regular cleansing (twice per year), and I've been able to maintain a good weight all these years.
More next time on the effect of specific foods for weightloss, along with more herbal and supplement suggestions. Here is a reading list to find more answers to fit what your body needs nutritionally, and/or consult with a natural practitioner or nutritionist in your area.
Reading List:
Nutrition Almanac by Kirshmann
How to Get Well by Paavo Airola, Ph.D.
Diet & Nutrition, A Holistic Approach by R. Ballentine M.D.
The Food Revolution by John Robbins
Renew Your Life by Brenda Watson, C.T. (a great book on cleansing)
Becoming Vegetarian by Melina, Davis & Harrison
Feed Your Soul by Fowler & Lehr (wonderful recipes)
©Copyright
2003 by AlternativeApproaches.com
Susie Cooper ND, earned her Doctor of Naturopathy diploma in 2001, and is board certified. Susie has taught workshops in homeopathy, herbal medicine and nutrition in North Carolina for many years. She now teaches all her workshops in her shop, Blue Mountain Herbs & Supplements, 141 W. Main St., in beautiful Pilot Mountain, NC, where she may be contacted at (336) 368-5955.
The
information contained in this column is not meant to diagnose or
prescribe for specific ailments, but is intended for educational
support only. Please seek the advise of a licensed health
practitioner for specific illnesses and emergency situations.
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