The Principles of a Natural Hygiene Diet

There is no better way to say it. The Ancients understood it best and yet, even with all of our technological and scientific advancements, we as a society have not totally grasped this concept. True wellness begins with indulging in permanent preventative habits. Clean eating is just one path towards physical wholeness.

The concept of using food as a practical alternative to combat diseases and treat ailments have been around since man first began to form communities and cultivate land to ensure its food supply. Anthropologists have discovered some very advance medical techniques and curative concoctions from ancient tribes, civilizations in Africa, North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Australia, and the Netherlands using plant-based foods and other vegetation of all types. For example, fennel, a bulb plant, was first cultivated in ancient Europe where it was used to treat indigestion. Recently, scientists have confirmed that fennel is high in potassium. Potassium regulates the water-balance and acid-based balance in the blood and tissues, which is necessary for proper digestion.

The best analogy for the human body is an automobile. The automobile, in summary, consists of the exterior body, the interior workings with its engine, carburetor, battery, etc., and lastly the driver. In order to run properly, an automobile needs fuel. In some vehicles, premium fuel is recommended to prevent the clogging of the exhaust system and deterioration of the engine. We must apply the same principles to the care of our bodies. In order for our body to function properly without disease, we must consume premium foods that aids not hinder its performance. If we eat greasy cheeseburgers on white processed bread, fries, and coke for lunch everyday, chances are in upcoming years we will have coronary disease or worst.

Before we can truly decide what foods are best for our bodies, we must understand how the digestive system works. The digestive process actually begins in your mouth. As children, we were all told to chew our food...slowly. My mother actually taught my brother and me to chew one bite of food twenty times before swallowing. As an adult, I will later discover this simple practice is actually a significant stage in proper digestion. In my research, I came across the writings of Horace Fletcher, a socialite and businessman during the Victorian era. Fletcher began to observe how he and his wealthy acquaintances ate meals. He dedicated the rest of his life researching the matter, and his findings would later formulate a method of eating he claimed would promote proper digestion called Fletcherism. Later, Fletcher's theory would be medically and scientifically proven to have merit. Detailed in his book, Fletcherism: What is it? there are five fundamental principles,

Fletcherism Principles:

1. Only eat when you are truly hungry.

2. Select foods that appeal to you.

3. In every bite, chew the food until you no longer taste the flavor or until it practically swallows itself.

4. Try not to be distracted, meaning no television or music, and limit conversations at mealtime.

5. Enjoy each bite; fully swallow all food before taking more into the mouth.

This seems simple enough, but if one observes the eating habits of the people in their lives one would notice huge spoonfuls of food being jammed into the mouth without taking time to ingest what is in the oral cavity already. In the act of mastication, the teeth do the balk of the work breaking down the solid food into small particles. The saliva contains enzymes, which soften the food, and the tongue pushes it along your esophagus; from there it enters the stomach. The food usually stays in the stomach for two hours, during which it produces digestive juices (enzymes and acids) which further breakdowns the food until it is liquefied. The digestive enzymes and acids react chemically to the type of foods it meets. The liquefied substance travels into the intestinal trace (upper and lower), there the nutrients, and vitamins are absorbed into the body. Again, I cannot stress enough the importance of dental health. Without healthy teeth and gums, it is difficult for food to be properly masticated and then pass successfully through the digestive system. The National Dental Association recommends eating raw fruits and vegetables to help with tartar control and gum disease.

The type of foods we eat and the order in which we eat them determines how the stomach successfully does its job in the digestive process. Each category of food absorbs differently in the body. Meat takes the longest to digest. In an average meal of meat, potatoes and corn, the body immediately absorb the less concentrated foods (corn and potatoes); leaving the heaviest, concentrated portion of the meal (meat) to linger. The concentrated food loses its nutritional value before reaching the intestines, where it may start to ferment and decompose. Natural Hygienists suggest improper food combining is the main reason for chronic illnesses. They believe sequential eating is the key.

Dr. Herbert Sheldon, a dietician and self-proclaimed father of the Natural Hygiene philosophy, wrote many articles on the subject of sequential eating/food combining. According to the principles of sequential eating or layering eating, one should only eat foods of the same category in one sitting; spacing the meals two hour apart. He also suggests eating easy, natural meals consisting of vegetable, preferably raw. Never eat protein and carbohydrates at the same time. Try to eat water-based foods in the morning and a salad everyday.

In the groundbreaking book, Fit for Life, authors, Harvey and Marilyn Diamond, expounded and simplified the concept of food combining. Although the principles are the same, the Diamond's program provides a clear, easy four-week menu to follow. According to the Diamonds, instead of working against the process by consuming ill-combined foods, which deplete the body of energy, we should practice sequential eating to assist the body's natural rhythm. There are three stages of digestion, The Diamonds coined the terms in reference to sequential eating; assimilation, consumption, and elimination. Just like Sheldon, they believed the morning (upon rising until midday) is when the body tries to eliminate the waste. It is suggested not to eat heavy foods, instead only fruit and liquids. By lunch, your body needs to replenish itself. During this time, one should consume small meals that uphold the principles of sequential eating. As my primary focus in this book is to advocate adapting an instinctive diet regime (fruits, vegetables, legume, with and occasional fish), the daunting task of complying with the program should not be as difficult. Remember, it is suggested to consume sequential meals every two hours until early evening (around 6:30 pm). After which you should only consume warm teas and water. This period from early evening until upon rising is when your body works to absorb the nutrients of the food eaten the previous day. And so on and so on. These principles assist not counterproductive to our body's natural rhythm. These principles are used in a popular diet issued out to pre-op patients who need to lose weight rapidly prior to surgery. This diet adds a vegetable high-antioxidants soup to curb hunger. I would not try this until first consulting with your physician. However, for those who are given a thumb up, this could be a great way to initiate your new dietary regime. I would advise reading the works of Dr. Sheldon and other natural hygienists as new scientific findings are discovered frequently. It is best to educate yourself as much as possible and make sound decisions and customize the program to suit your individual needs.

Nonetheless, let me summarize the multiple principles laid out in this chapter:

• Only eat when you are truly hungry.

• Select foods that appeal to you.

• In every bite, chew the food until you no longer taste the flavor or until it practically swallows itself.

• Try not to be distracted, meaning no television or music, and limit conversations at mealtime.

• Enjoy each bite; fully swallow all food before taking more into the mouth.

• Consume an Instinctive Diet: fruits, vegetables, legumes, and an occasional serving of fish.

• In the mornings until mid-day, consume only liquids and fruit.

• From noon until early evening (6:30 pm) eat meals in the same category, every two hours

• Do not combine protein and carbohydrates in one meal.

• Only consume water, broth, warm tea, and fruit juices after 6:30 PM until rising.

Simple enough, right. Of course, change is never easy. I must reiterate the importance of speaking with your private physician before undertaking a major modification in your diet. The correct types of food can help to maintain blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, ease arthritis pain, improve immunity, and ease constipation, among other issues. The first steps towards healing thyself can be taken in your very own kitchen and dinner table.