Ever wonder why there are so many different diets out there that seem to work for some but not others?
Between fat free, high carb, low carb, high protein, low protein, etc., etc., isn’t it time we all came to the consensus that there just isn’t one diet for everyone?
Cutting out this whole dieting idea all together is an even better idea.
The key to better health is to start focusing on your own body, including knowing your own nutritional type.
There are different approaches to understanding your type. In Ayurveda, there are “doshas,” which are different constitutional types; there is Eat Right for Your Blood Type, which has much controversy around the science behind it; there is eating for your metabolic type; or what is a fairly new concept from Dr. Joseph Mercola, one of the world’s leading alternative doctors, called Nutritional Typing.
Nobody can be put in a box when it comes to nutrition, as Mercola always points out, but the better versed you become in the varieties of types out there and start to understand your own, the more success you will find in your health.
Even as a healthy individual, people can still experience negative effects, including fluctuating energy levels, brain fog and other negative symptoms.
If you’re not eating for your type, you are more prone to feel unsatisfied by your food and even become more prone to addictions.
What I like about the concept of Nutritional Typing (NT) is that it really focuses in on quantities of macronutrients that are better suited for your type and keeps it simple.
There are only three types: protein type, carbohydrate type and mixed type.
As a protein type, for example, you likely have a strong appetite, have cravings for things like fatty, salty foods and think about food often.
Your diet should consist of higher protein and fat and be lower in total carbohydrates — although this does not necessarily mean high protein. Your portions still could be around 1 or 2 ounces of fish, seafood, fowl or meat at every meal. Or a vegetarian protein if you choose. But being sure to incorporate protein at the beginning of the meal is important.
As a carbohydrate type, you have a relatively light appetite. You love salads and don’t typically like meat.
You feel great after drinking fresh organic vegetable juice and don’t think about food that often. You will do best having daily vegetable juices, and starting lunch and dinner with a salad will be beneficial for you.
As a mixed type, you typically gravitate to eating a large variety of food, which is important for this type and can have similar characteristics to both types. They have the most flexibility.
If you want to discover your own nutritional type, go online to Mercola’s website to take the test: http://nutritionaltyping.mercola.com/PreTest.aspx
Along with the results, he also provides a full recipe package and more detailed information package on how to proceed with your type which could kick-start you off to better health.
Kristin Fraser, BSc, is a holistic nutritionist and local freelance writer. Her column appears every second Thursday. She can be reached at kristin@somethingtochewon.ca.