Alternative Diets

Alternative diets offer solutions to health problems through eating and avoiding certain foods. Some alternative diets are geared towards healthy lifestyles, some towards detox and some are designed as therapies for specific diseases. Along with dietary changes, alternative diets may include exercise regimens and even sleep regulation.

Alternative diets have been created and championed by different doctors and health practitioners over the years. They include:

The Pritikin Diet

This diet encourages mostly vegetables high in fiber and protein. Small amounts of fish, chicken, and lean meats like bison are also included. The Pritikin diet's goal is a healthy lifestyle and practitioners boast low cholesterol, a controlled weight, balanced insulin levels (reducing the risk of diabetes), low blood pressure and reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. Medical studies conducted by Harvard, Stanford and UCLA back up the Pritikin program's claims. Regular exercise is prescribed alongside the diet.

The Macrobiotic Diet

The term “macrobiotic” derives from Hippocrates. It literally translates as “great life” from the Greek. The diet was invented by George Ohsawa, a Japanese teacher who claimed it brought him longevity and health. He based to diet on the Chinese concept of yin and yang. The diet seeks to balance the body's intake of foods with yin and yang characteristics. Any food that is too yin or yang is avoided.

Grains and vegetables, being the least extreme foods, are the focus of the macrobiotic diet. Grains compose roughly 50-60% of the suggested diet. These include rice, barley, wheat and rye. Vegetables make up 25-30% of the diet and among those suggested are cauliflower, turnips, onions and cabbage. Some vegetables like mushrooms and celery are recommended in smaller doses. Lentils, tofu, and beans are 5-10% of the remaining diet, and the other 5-10% is broths and soups.

The macrobiotic diet avoids meats and other animal products which are considered too potent in yang for consumption. All food consumed should be organic and grown locally. Food shipped in from foreign sources is considered harmful. Anything processed or refined is also taboo.

Doctors have not conducted long term studies on macrobiotics but agree that its guidelines are healthy. It does however lack certain vitamins and is unsuitable for children and pregnant women unless properly supplemented. The macrobiotic diet has not cured anyone of a disease but has been show to increase the healthy, lively feeling that macrobiotic dieters experience.

Raw Food Diets

Raw food diets are used for detox and weight loss purposes. Some raw food advocates regard cooked food as “tainted” and seek to rid their bodies of toxins.

People on raw food diets eat nuts, grains, fruits and vegetables. Creative treatments have been devised as raw food diets have grown in popularity. Desserts are made by sticking together sweet nuts with natural sugar. While a certain degree of processing is allowed in some raw food dieters’ circles, others maintain strict standards of rawness.

Unfortunately, raw food diets sometimes cause harm to those who follow them too strictly. Some report even ignoring pain and suffering, thinking they just needed time to rid themselves of their toxins. They can suffer extreme malnutrition and serious health problems. People on raw food diets are often advised to allow certain exceptions, take supplements and pay close attention to their well being.

Additional Information on Dieting

Alternative diets come in many forms, each one tailored to treat different ailments or promote healthy living. Before beginning such a diet, interested parties should be sure and read any studies available. Research the different diets to determine which one suits your body and habits.

Yeast Diet -The Yeast Diet is a cleansing diet and is used to rid the body of an overgrowth of candida albicans or yeast.