better dance through diet?
About five weeks ago we picked up a copy of Dr. Mark Hyman’s “UltraMind Solution: Fix Your Broken Brain by Healing Your Body First”
In a nutshell, UltraMind Solution proposes that problems such as allergies, depression, brain fog, obesity etc. can be pinpointed to a few basic problems in our biology.
Bottom line: you’ll be removing gluten, sugar, high-fructose corn syrup and dairy products from your diet. In the words of Hyman, “if it has a label, you probably won’t be eating it”.
In theory, it’s nothing radical: Stop eating bad stuff. Drink tons of water. Eat organic because pesticides do actually have an effect on you. Take supplements because you won’t get the right amounts from your food. Exercise and meditate.
We basically had to empty out every single shelf in our house because EVERYTHING has high fructose corn syrup in it. For someone like me who goes to sleep with visions of donuts, this was no easy task.
Downsides?
1. It’s fairly expensive to start since you’ll be emptying out pretty much everything on your shelves and fridge.
2. It’s time consuming at first because that double cheese burger at McDonalds ain’t an option anymore.
3. It sucks not being able to eat all the wonderful sweets day and night.
4. Watching other people eat tasty but harmful crap.
The benefits?
1. Energy is notably higher with concentration slightly improved.
2. Slight cardio improvement.
3. Better mood overall and less urge to punch certain people which is just great.
I think awareness is good. Even if you don’t trash those cookies and cakes, it’s still good to know exactly what the effects are of whatever it is you put in your mouth.
Once you do that, you may be compelled to rethink your game plan…
No related posts.
I haven’t read that book, but it’s doesn’t seem that different from many of the more legitimate nutrition books.
It seems so simple, cut out processed foods and eat organic as much as possible, but what is difficult is the cost (like you said especially initially), time and access to healthy food choices. For many people these are real problems, especially access. If you don’t have a car or good public transportation getting healthy food can be a big problem. We live in a society that actually subsidizes the production of food that is unhealthy for our bodies and our environment.
It’s almost like our government is literally killing us with expensive health costs, subsidizing poor food choices, unregulated environmental policies, and funding unjustifiable wars. What’s up with that?
Okay, so it’s not all bad and can be changed. As individuals we can do our best to take care of ourselves, our families, and our environment. We can practice living simply without all the stuff we don’t need so that we can work less and do more.
As a group we can participate in the grassroots movements that promote growing food locally (which reminds me, I need to get out and tend to my garden today) and develop alternative health systems like bartering for care or cash for care (cut the insurance companies out of it completely).
Like you said, awareness is a good start. I know I am totally addicted to sugar and when I am tired and stressed out I feed my addiction with a frenzy. It’s a serious battle for me. I don’t care about fast food, starches, or meat, just sugar in any form and at any time.
Dancing has provided me with another way of dealing with stress and anxiety and to burn off some of the calories from sugar, but I know the processed sugar has to go if I want to feel better physically and emotionally.
Has anyone read The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan and/or Sugar Blues by William Duffy? Those books really address these issues.
I have a friend with a serious cancer problem. She has cut out all sugar, etc. The sugar, she learned, feeds tumors, so she has a real incentive to cut out the sugar. Sometimes that’s what it takes. I cut out almost all fats a few years ago for the same incentive. Been going now for 15 years – hmmm, maybe it’s time to once again put a check on the sugar and fat! Except for the red wine and dark chocolate, of course.
It’s been 15 years? Oh my… I remember the boiled eggs with the yolks removed. You have the strongest will of anyone I ever met. Good job Penny.
How has it impacted your dancing feet?
Wow Penny, 15 years! I’m struggling with my 5 weeks! I’m like you Tonia, a sugar addict and love all types of junk food!!!!
But Because I love to cook and am creative in all types of cuisine I have learned very quickly how to substitute healthy stuff in our GSDFree diet (gluten-sugar-dairy free). Our health is more important to me than anything. Unfortunately once we became aware of the health risks of certain foods we cram into our bodies, it is hard to turn a blind eye. So I am willing to work at it. In only 5 weeks you would be amazed at the benefits already!
We Still eat chicken and omega 3 eggs(free range) and fish.
Instead of sugar and fructose we sub honey and agave.
Flour sub gluten free flour (Bob Mills brand has lots of great G-Free stuff)
Milk products sub soy/rice milk.
Our two personal favorites: (Not too shabby for GSDFree snacks:)
Homemade Waffles with peaches and honey on top
Strawberry icecream & Chocolate Coconut icecream (Cuisine Art Ice cream maker is a must!)
If anyone ever wants some really great recipes, from entrees to snacks let me know!
Plus Vitacost.com is a great and cheap site for supplements and other stuff too.
-Stephanie
Thanks for the tips Stephanie. I haven’t tried a gluten free diet, but I have tried to cut out dairy and fructose at times. My room mate that just moved to PA follows a live food (raw food) diet most of the time, which means she mostly eats fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. I have enjoyed many of the things she makes, but it is expensive and takes lots of time. I also can’t handle all of the nuts. Too many calories, and I’m a little allergic to nuts.
I think I need to go to rehab for sugar addiction. I wonder if the show Intervention has ever featured a sugar addict?
I eat on the go a lot, which isn’t good. I do like to make soups in the crock pot when it is cold. I’ll have to keep working on improving my eating habits