If your child or family has an unhealthy diet (SAD), read on! If your child suffers from depression or a learning disorder, or has an ‘untreatable condition’, take note! This is a diet that works for fussy ‘carb’ eaters (like my children) and lays the foundation for good eating habits and a healthy life! It is also essential in treating illness. We go through our lives deliberating what to eat, dieting, taking supplements and zig-zagging our way through a maze of information, but miss key ingredients. In MEganize, the objective is to set up a structure that can be used for life. Avoid the common pitfalls that plague our society with illness. So many of us are caught in a ‘catch 22’ situation, being too exhausted or too busy to even consider a change in eating habits while it is the diet that induces fatigue and illness, and so the insidious cycle continues in the subtle form of addiction.

Routine is as key in your diet as it is in work success. If you take some time to plan your meals, the probability of success will increase in proportion to your diligence. Don’t be a mindless sheep! As explained in MEganize, it is better to work to a model that has good reason behind it, than none at all. Here are some critical guidelines. Start here with the basics and then refine it with further reference. Bootstrap!

The Big Problem

MEganize offers clear outlines on this topic in Chapter 12, in the context of ‘structure’. This forms part of the ‘1^st Quadrant’ which defines our overall performance. Society tends to fall into similar pitfalls, and likewise, our eating habits reveal themselves on a macro level. The United States has record highs on a number of health issues, however as these are not reviewed at a strategic level, the fundamental problems are not addressed. We are an unhealthy nation, suffering from our own select ‘diseases’ as a result of our collective dietary inclinations, many directed by government. Cancers, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, depression, learning disorders, birth defects and bone disease are commonplace. Doctors are now accepting that most of our health issues are a result of our diet. (Gluten, eggs and dairy form most of our common diet, but represent the biggest class of allergens!) Most of these can be prevented, and some even quickly healed, like kidney stones and psoriasis.

Fundamental Keys to the Solution

It is my conviction that an acidic diet, resulting in an acidic system, creates a platform for cancers as well as arthritis, stones, and osteoporosis, affecting our brain function, and opening the body to infections and abnormalities. Stress, over-exertion, anger and hypertension, linked to diet, are the fundamental causes of heart diseases, stroke and diabetes. These cover the top killers in the USA. Note: Cholesterol is not a villain! (Read: The Great Cholesterol Con)

In trying to accommodate a ‘best’ regimen to suit my ‘carb’ children, and cover key bases, my research has directed me towards this solution that solves common deficiencies, i.e: a lack of Alkali-based foods, essential minerals (calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium) and vitamins. A lack of these common deficiencies will manifest itself in mental and physical ‘disease’.

Dieticians recommend to eat six small meals a day, specifically to even out blood sugar spikes. The total calories required for women and adolescents is (1,300), children (1,000), and men (2,000). Aim for a low intake of salt (all sodium based preservatives), sugar, fructose, dairy and processed foods.

Essential Diet for life  (Based on the DASH diet for hypertension)

Breakfast	V8 alternating with OJ, old fashioned oats with organic almond milk. (Skim milk is OK, as is low fat plain yoghurt).
Snack	Fruit: Bananas, oranges, mangoes etc. OR Raw unsalted almonds, raisins, whole grain cereal.  OR a whole grain sandwich (flax or oats) with low sodium peanut butter, almond butter, honey. OR Dark chocolate (+83% natural cocoa, ‘undutched’/alkalized).
Lunch	Organic eggs, fish, chicken (no skin), potatoes, spinach, salad/other leafy veg, avocado, sweet potato, beets, wild/brown rice. Yoghurt with blueberries/strawberries.
Dinner	Baked potato or w/g pasta with mushrooms, onions, garlic,  avocado, lemon,  spinach, turmeric.
Drinks	Water, low sodium V8, any tea with no milk. Water based smoothie with plant proteins (Orgain), berries, plus. Pomegranate juice. 1 glass of red wine. NO SODA or coffee!
Supplements	Fish oils with Vit D (Nature Made), Vitamin B complex and multi vits. Flax/pumpkin seeds, unsalted nuts. Minimum pain killers, alcohol.

See this for further dietary guidelines on what to eat. (Whole 30 diet).

In addition to the Mediterranean or ‘dash’ diet which forms a basis for overall health, also be aware of the following:

Metabolism and brain functioning requires a certain amount of sugar (glucose). The objective should be to avoid spikes, and focus on natural forms of sugar like fruit and honey. Vitamin B Complex is essential for the conversion of carbohydrates into energy. It also maintains the healthy functioning of organs.  Caveat: There are situations where B Complex can induce a reaction if taken with certain medications. Check them here, and with your doctor.

Iron plays a critical part of getting oxygen to the body. High iron foods include seafood, liver, sunflower seeds, nuts, red meats (acidic), beans, whole grains, dark leafy greens (spinach), dark chocolate, potatoes, black eyes peas and beets. An overdose in iron can damage the liver and heart, so beware of supplements. Moderation in everything.

Try Super-foods

There are a number of super-foods that are easy to incorporate into your diet, or even a berry smoothie. Spirulina, beet power, turmeric, and hemp seed are also some to look into.

• Honey

Honey is used for weight-loss, energy, improving endurance, contains vitamin C, calcium and iron, and has antibacterial and anti-fungal qualities. It is also an antioxidant, effective in removing ‘free radicals’, thus offering some immunity against conditions like cancer or heart disease.

• Marmite

Marmite is an excellent source of B Complex, essential for good liver and kidney function, the nervous system, anxiety and depression. It is high in folic acid and is gluten free. It includes benfotiamine, effective in protecting your heart. It is high in sodium.

Super bad foods

Processed and refined foods, fructose and artificial sweeteners should be avoided anyway, but if overweight, also stop all breads, pizza, pasta, sugars, sodas, and dairy. Also avoid these five additives that starve your body and bones of essential nutrients:

• Calcium disodium EDTA is a chelating agent
• Phosphoric acid
• Guar gum
• Sulfites (Sodium sulfites, sulfur dioxide, calcium sulfites, sodium disulfites)
• Sodium in various forms.

Big Government

Cows are given amongst other things (GMO foods), and a growth hormone (rBST) to increase milk production. With our high dairy intake (pizza, shakes, ice-cream, etc), my conclusion is that this hormone is one of the causes of the increasing levels of hormonal imbalances. The issue appears to be with endocrine disruptors that result from ‘production‘ being pushed to its limits by what ever means. rBST has not been allowed on the market in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, or the European Union since 2000. Argentina also banned the use of rBST. That should be evidence enough, and is just another reason to minimize dairy!

Also remember: “Artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose (Splenda) may have zero calories, but your body isn’t fooled. When hit with a “sweet” taste, your body expects calories to follow, and when this doesn’t happen, it causes biochemical distortions that can result in weight gain, metabolic dysfunction and other health problems.”

We cannot rely on our government to take care of our illness, or for much else. We have seen how flawed they are, and the huge mistakes they have made. All of these examples, including limiting sodium, rBST, aspartame, and so many drugs that have serious side effects, are apparently ‘out of their jurisdiction’, though not much else is!

This MEganize diet will help address some of the serious ailments that plague our country. As always, there is a corollary in that it is not only things that we do (and shouldn’t) that create a problem or solution, but things we don’t do (and should).

Preventative Solutions to common ailments

Disorders	Commission (Do)	Omission (Don’t)
Kidney stones*, arthritis, stomach ulcers (cancer, fungal infections?)	Drink some alkaline water (or add lemon or apple-cider vinegar) (2tblsp/day). Eat ‘balanced’ meals.	Avoid soda (acidic),  nightshades (tomatoes, peppers) and more. Limit dairy!
Dehydration (Brain activity)	Drink electrolyte water after exercise.	Do not get dehydrated. Coffee & alcohol are diuretics!
Depression, anxiety, stress: (Omega 3’s, Melatonin, serotonin, tryptophan, iodine)	MEganize diet. Sunlight/Vit D, B Complex, Omega 3’s, etc.	Minimize caffeine, rBST. Processed foods, pizza. No pot! It does extensive damage to your brain.
Heart disease, hypertension,  (Plaque)	Focus on potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus rich foods, with a ‘Dash’ or Mediterranean diet.	Avoid sodium, preservatives, processed foods, dairy. No fructose, HFCS additives. Minimize caffeine to lower BP.
Skin disorders (Psoriasis)	Eat natural foods, cleanse diets (Dr Pagano), B7	Avoid rich food, possible gluten or dairy allergy, B deficiency.
Obesity, Diabetes (T2) and cancer prevention	Follow the Mediterranean diet, with exercise. Try chromium picolinate. (T2)	No sodas/sugar, especially diet! Minimise rBST dairy, animal proteins. Fructose is a poison (in excess of 15g/day!)

These are a number of very common ailments in the USA. These can mostly be related to, and avoided, through diet. Our affinity for pain killers has many implications, but the most serious is that they can damage your kidneys, burn holes in your digestive system, giving rise to leaky gut and a life of misery. (Bad bacteria also causes stomach issues). Medical science does not have a diagnosis for this condition, so if you have symptoms that include insomnia, depression, headaches, skin issues, aching joints, fatigue, food allergies, lack of appetite with no weight loss, then look to diet remedies for leaky gut.

Mental health

A prevalent problem amongst our children is anxiety, linked to depression, sleeplessness and learning disorders. A poor diet can be a key contributor. ‘Everything psychological is biological’ is a good adage. “Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, broken down by bacteria to produce the hormones serotonin and melatonin, neurotransmitters essential to brain functioning. It is also used in the biosynthesis of proteins. Vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids control the synthesis of serotonin and improves cognitive function and behavior in certain brain disorders, ADHD, bipolar, schizophrenia and impulsive behavior.” (Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience)

• Omega 3’s (mainly fish) are essential for the production of hormones necessary for brain functioning and overall health.
• Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, broken down by bacteria to produce the hormones serotonin and melatonin, neurotransmitters necessary for brain functioning. High tryptophan foods include nuts, seeds, tofu, cheese, red meat, chicken, turkey, fish, oats, beans, lentils, and eggs. Pumpkin and squash seeds are best, but also flax, sesame and almonds/other nuts. Roasted soy beans are also a rich source.
• Iodine is essential for proper functioning of the thyroid gland, a master gland in controlling mood (anxiety), metabolism (obesity) and energy. The CDC has found a general lack of iodine as a result of a low salt diet originally proposed by the government, showing a 50% decrease over the last 50 years. Most fast foods also do not use iodized salt, but add sodium. Thus the problem.

• Positive thinking, meditation

“The idea that alterations in thought, either self-induced or due to psychotherapy, can alter brain metabolism is not new. Numerous studies have demonstrated changes in blood flow in such circumstances. However, reports related to specific transmitters are much less common. In one recent study, meditation was reported to increase release of dopamine. The study by Perreau-Linck and colleagues is the first to report that self-induced changes in mood can influence serotonin synthesis. This raises the possibility that the interaction between serotonin synthesis and mood may be 2-way, with serotonin influencing mood and mood influencing serotonin…” (Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience)

• Sunlight (Vit D)

“Exposure to bright light is a second possible approach to increasing serotonin without drugs. Bright light is, of course, a standard treatment for seasonal depression… In humans, there is certainly an interaction between bright light and the serotonin system. The mood-lowering effect of acute tryptophan depletion in healthy women is completely blocked by carrying out the study in bright light (3000 lux) instead of dim light.”(Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience). Add Vit D to daily supplements in winter.

• Exercise

“A third strategy that may raise brain serotonin is exercise. As reviewed by Jacobs & Fornal, motor activity increases the firing rates of serotonin neurons, and this results in increased release and synthesis of serotonin. In addition, there is an increase in the brain of the serotonin precursor tryptophan that persists after exercise.” (Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience)

• Diet

“The fourth factor that could play a role in raising brain serotonin is diet. Those using the Dash diet have reduced their hypertension enormously, greatly reducing the risk (and cost) of at least 2 or 3 of the top killers. According to some evidence, tryptophan, which increases brain serotonin in humans as in experimental animals, is an effective antidepressant in mild-to-moderate depression… Pellagra (skin disorder and dementia) is a disorder caused by niacin (B3) deficiency, usually owing to poverty and a diet relying heavily on corn (maize), which has a low level of niacin and its precursor tryptophan.” (Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience) In my experience, thyroid also impacts mood, so ensure adequate iodine intake. Always buy iodized salt (or supplement with a very little liquid iodine)!

• Vitamin B Complex (8)

All B vitamins help the body convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which the body uses to produce energy. These B vitamins, often referred to as B-complex vitamins, also help the body metabolize fats and protein. B-complex vitamins are needed for a healthy liver, skin, hair, and eyes. They also help the nervous system function properly and are needed for good brain functioning. All B vitamins are water soluble, meaning that the body does not store them.

Obesity, diabetes, hypertension, gout, and cancer et al.

This is commonly known to be brought on by poor diet and a lack of exercise. Self-restraint (self-discipline) is a critical life skill that minimizes overindulgence. (These are covered in MEganize under the heavenly virtues). One of the big pitfalls is sugar (soda, and diet soda). Artificial sugars are unhealthy as they are chemical based, and while tasting sweet, do not get treated as ‘sugar’ by your body. Aspartame is toxic over 86F!  “The structure of aspartame is simple: two isolated amino acids in aspartame are fused together by its third component, deadly methanol, a known carcinogen. In this structure, methanol bonds the two amino acids together, but when released at a mere 86 degrees Fahrenheit, the methanol becomes a poisonous free radical.” It amazes me how our government ever allowed this, and even more so that nothing is done about it. While the FDA also refuses to ban this, Europe has done so. Read more on this here. There is nothing healthy in these ‘diet’ drinks, and they certainly will not help you lose weight!

As far as sugar goes, we now average 141 lbs a year per person! (and 30 lbs of cheese). This is the demon’s other horn! Sugar and ethanol (alcohol) are similar in design and result. Compliments from George McGovern for the US Diet Plan, our eating habits/obesity have become unhealthy since 1977, with a focus on carbs and sugar. This has created a national paradigm of unhealthy eating. Are you addicted to sugar? Is your family at risk?

We have to challenge our paradigms, especially those promoted by government. You will be amazed at how much sugar (and sodium) is in processed food. Here are two questions to challenge your thinking:  Why is a calorie (in) is not a calorie (out)? When is natural fructose not a problem?

Kidney stones, arthritis and osteoporosis

These ailments are a result of an acidic diet (includes sugar) over time. Kidney stones are mainly formed from oxalate, commonly found in the healthy parts of the ‘dash’ diet. “Some examples of foods that contain high levels of oxalate include: peanuts, rhubarb, spinach, beets, chocolate and sweet potatoes.” This creates a dilemma, however eating/drinking calcium based foods (milk/yoghurt) helps to absorb the oxalates. The Mediterranean diet appears to be a good start to minimizing these risks. Sadly bone depletion cannot be reversed so prevention is essential.

Kidney stones, by personal experience, are most unpleasant but can be treated quickly and efficiently without expensive medical care. Chanca Piedra medication dissolved my kidney stones in a few days, accompanied by lemon water. The medical profession (in my experience) will recommend all sorts of expensive symptomatic treatment options, even saying that there is no ‘cure’. What nonsense! Again, the solution lies in diet.

We face an epidemic of obesity, diabetes, mental and related metabolic disorders, heart disease and more, all resulting from a bad diet. Americans are stuck stuck on the SAD high processed carbs/sugar diet and generally ignorant of the risks of how dangerous and addictive these foods are.

So, while this diet format may not provide the complete solution to all of our health issues, it will eliminate many of the ‘disabling conditions’ (extrinsic demotivators), without which true healing cannot occur. It is simple to do and only requires your commitment and dedication. Take the time to educate yourself.  Read MEganize – It will change your life! Based on proven principles, supported by experience, independent expertise and best practices. Simplicity, sustainability, success.

Don’t wait for a heart attack before you change! Be mindful and make good choices.