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Diets and Recipes

Please note:  all recommendations given on this website are general guidance only.  Always seek the advice of a qualified natural health practitioner before taking any supplements, nutritionals or herbal remedies.


Blood Type Foods

Many years of research by Peter and James D’Adamo have lead to the development of dietary recommendations based on your blood type.  In my clinical experience, most people who have followed the recommended foods suited to their blood type have experienced significant health improvements, weight regulation and increased energy levels.  The results depend on your commitment.  

There are fundamentally four blood types:   A-type; B-type; AB-type, and O-type.  The Rhesus-factor generally plays no role in foods recommended for the overall blood type.  However, how your body breaks down and processes food – called “secretor status” – does.

For more detailed information on research and new developments regarding the Blood-Type foods, go to www.dadamo.com.


Elimination diets

Recommended for those who suspect dietary intake is causing allergic reactions. There are different levels, General and Sensitive – each with its own shopping list. Remember that this information is meant as a guide only and you should always seek professional advice for health issues.  It should be noted that elimination diets should be followed for a relatively short period of time and not adopted as your main dietary protocol.

This easy to use diary will help you keep a record of symptoms and any possible dietary links to symptoms you are experiencing.

Back to basic nutritious foods consider  the Stoneage Diet or Paleo DietThese include only whole foods, grown naturally/organically without exposure to pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics or genetic modification.

For highly sensitive individuals or those suffering from allergies, rotation diets are strongly recommendedRotation of foods means that no one food is repeated less than three days apart.  Longer periods may be required if sensitivity is extremely high.

Always research the nutritional value of a new diet, especially vegan diets.

Raw Food Diets are becoming increasingly popular.  Should you feel inclined to try raw foods, I strongly suggest you learn how to.   There are many great websites that explain the process of raw food preparation as well as recipes. While raw foods retain nutrients, some people with sluggish or delicate digestive systems, or in Traditional Chinese Medicine having “spleen deficiency” may not tolerate an all-raw diet.  Start gradually, incorporating soups and lightly steamed vegetables.  Also, beware of excessive quantities of cashew nuts used in raw cuisine.

Please remember that the above ‘diets’ are suggestions only and that everyone is different.  Experiment by eliminating certain foods that frequently contribute to poor health.  Better still, consult a qualified natural health practitioner who can assess your specific needs and recommend changes that will benefit you.  Often once you eliminate offending foods your body becomes stronger and you can re-introduce some of these occasionally.  The foundation of a healthy diet is always eating whole, fresh foods.  Whether you choose to eat animal products or be vegetarian/vegan is up to you, but always source foods from known clean origins avoiding Genetic Modification, herbicides, pesticides and processing.


Recipes

I often get asked for simple healthy recipes. Here are a few that have been adapted to suit most blood types. Give them a try – you might be surprised at your family’s positive reaction.

A delicious and nutritious cake or lunch-box snack, this chocolate chia and cherry slice will be a hit with all the family.  Dress it up for a yummy dessert.

Here are a few wheat-free, gluten-free, vegetarian and/or dairy-free sweet options, Banana Nut Slice, Chocolate Chia Cake, Pecan Date Loaf and Janzacs – a variation of the traditional ANZAC biscuits.

A great basic gluten-free cake recipe that you can adapt as needed.

If you are looking for a quick and easy chicken curry, here’s a recipe my husband whipped up.

Savoury muffins make a great lunch-box option – for all ages.   Try this Zucchini + Sun Dried tomato recipe

Great as a snack or lunchbox treat Chewy Fruit & Seed Slice – and easy to make?

Mashed potato cakes make a great hearty breakfast

Your family will love these yummy apple pancakes

Sweet or savoury this basic muffin recipe has various versions

Start the day with a deliciously healthy breakfast muesli

Thanks to “Heartland Retreat” for this fabulous porridge recipe

Other favourites include:

There are many websites which offer great nutritious and delicious recipes. Here are some more fabulous ideas on how to incorporate more colour into your diet courtesy of Deanna Minich, PhD – https://www.foodandspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/The-Rainbow-Diet_Recipe-eBooklet_HR.pdf

For those of you seeking delicious vegetarian meals try the mixed vegetable and lentil curry or vegetable Dahl.


Going Vegetarian or Vegan?

Remember that if you decide to omit animal products (meat, chicken and fish) from your diet, you will need to combine your vegetables in order to consume adequate protein.  See below on how to combine foods in order to get sufficient protein in your daily diet.  Perhaps read what Dr Mercola has to say about vegetarian/vegan.

For a nutrient-packed drink, try the green smoothie – give it a try:  you’ll be pleasantly surprised.


Portion sizes

With the ‘upsizing’ phenomenon and take-away options, our portion sizes and allocation of food types may need reviewing.  Click here for an example of what your food plate should look like and what foods make up the essential food groups – protein, carbohydrates, good fats and vegetables.  However, please avoid wheat and processed grains.


The importance of protein

In order to maintain consistent energy levels throughout the day, you should eat protein at each meal (at least three times daily).  Particularly while trying to manage weight, it is important to consume sufficient protein to prevent loss of vital muscle tissue. Pregnant women should also ensure they are consuming sufficient protein throughout gestation – protein needs increase by up to 25%.

Click here to see how much protein you need and what foods contain this essential nutrient.
Click here for how to combine foods in order to get complete protein into your daily diet.


Foods that may cause adverse reactions

After several years in clinical practice, I have found that two major food groups are consistently related to health and weight management issues:  these are wheat and dairy.  The reason being that these important staples have been modified over the past 50 years causing health issues for most of us.  Fortunately, there are a range of options readily available which provide quality nutrients.

Milk is no longer what it used to be. Read about the chemicals found in milk. It is really important to source organic foods whenever possible to avoid the ever increasing contamination from chemicals and other toxins. Camel milk is a healthy option with many health benefits – it does not contain beta-Lactoglobulin and is rich in vitamins, minerals, and healing immmune proteins.  It has also been shown to be beneficial for autistic children.

Camel milk and camel milk products are available through the Clinic.

Learn how to eliminate wheat from your diet. All too often the result of over-consumption of wheat and gluten, leads to significant digestive inflammation and bowel damage.  Recent research has identified the link between a lack of correct microbiome in the gut to gluten intolerance – the loss of the microbes that help break down gluten leads to its build up and further gut inflammation. The prevalence of gluten intolerance is rising with more and more people,  especially children,  developing gluten intolerance.  For a basic list of foods to avoid if you, or a member of your family, are gluten intolerant click here.  Read more about which grains contain gluten.

Dr Gluten has an informative website and books offering helpful tips on preparing gluten meals and snacks.  Most mums struggle with finding healthy packed lunches for day care and schools.  When considering these options, remember to include fresh vegetables, fruit and good protein.  Go to www.drgluten.com

The obesity epidemic continues despite massive media promotions for ‘no fat’, ‘no sugar’, ‘Heart Foundation approved tick’.  Foods that are often promoted as ‘healthy’ can often be quite the opposite.  If I had to give just one recommendation to eating a healthy diet, it would be to eat as natural as possible – organic vegetables and fruit, organic meat and chicken, freshly caught local fish and purified water.  Processed foods should be eliminated.  Why?  Read this article – perhaps it will change your mind.