Want to know what your highest values are? Dr. Demartini has a great value determination process (that's also free). Here's the link to it:
http://www.drdemartini.com/value_determination
I don't fully subscribe to any one way of eating. I've realized that personally, I'm somewhere between the "paleo diet" and the yoga diet. (While there's no true yoga diet yogis focus on mindful, whole foods, mostly vegetarian eating.) If I trail off too much to one of these ways of eating, I'll often flip to the other for a given time. It's apparently my balance.
I'm grateful that I've spent the time researching why these, and many other "diets", are health creating ways of eating. They just work for me.
I highly recommend trying on some idealistic ways of eating. Doing a detox program while following the elimation diet is always a good way to get started. By cleaning out your body and removing many of the common allergens/sensitivities, you'll learn to feel your body again. I find a yearly 3 week detox/cleanse program resets my system. Many people report that following an elimation diet gets their body "back on track". It's so easy to overdo coffee, sugar, and the easiet to obtain processed foods in our culture. When you take a break from this processed culture, you'll probably refind a joy of cooking, shopping for whole foods, and properly nourishing your body. I tend to get even more excited about a plate of colorful vegetables, talking to a local farmer while picking my food, and realizing how greatful I am to be eating well (as many people in this world are malnourished.. including many North Americans).
“By cleansing your body on a regular basis and eliminating as many toxins as possible from your environment, your body can begin to heal itself, prevent disease, and become stronger and more resilient than you ever dreamed possible!” ~Dr. Edward Group III
I'm a big health nerd. In fact, many wellness chiropractors and naturopathic doctors are. So, if you need a little help with your diet, see one of us. If you work on your health now, you won't have to worry about sickness later. I personally couldn't imagine ever possessing the idea that "somebody else will take care of me, so why take care of myself now". In truth, we are reponsible for our health and the health of our children. No one else is.
I don't believe there's any one diet that works for all of us. While there are some basic premises that seem to apply quite well (eat your green leafy vegetables!), everybody needs something slightly different.
Commit to taking the time to figure out what your body needs, and what make you feel good. It's a process- a very rewarding process.
If you're going to commit to this endeavour, here are some simple steps:
1) Try the elimanation diet for 3 weeks (or if that's too long, try it for 3 days and see how you feel).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elimination_diet (BTW: Canada and the US offer a TAX CREDIT if you follow the elimination diet apparently.. now that's smart!)
Here's the specifics for the elimination diet: http://support.cleanprogram.com/entries/178431-preparing-for-your-cleanse-with-the-elimination-diet
2) Give your body a break from eating every day for 12 hours. (Ex: Stop eating after your dinner at 7pm, eat your breakfast the next day at 7am) This helps your body process every day. This step alone will help you get a little more concious on what you're eating.
3) Need more guidance? See a wellness chiropractor or naturopath. Or, join a yoga studio or Crossfit gym. Either of these will offer more guidance on eating for a yoga lifestyle (yes, it's actually a full lifestyle not just a way to exercise) or the Paleo diet. Crossfit gyms suggest you try the paleo diet for 30 days and offer you education on why and how to do it.
Good luck on your quest!
Remember,
“The part can never be well unless the whole is well.” ~Plato
