I shared previously, in my post on the ambiguity around dieting, that it is not wise to copy someone else's way of eating (diet) for anything more than seeking ideas or experimenting. We are unique snowflakes, and our personal needs are constantly changing - those are what we need to meet, not a set of rules. A few principles that I have used, and which have helped me navigate nutrition far more easily are below.
To meet our ever changing needs, the only way that I can see is to become sensitive to the body's cues - physical and mental. I monitor everything with self-awareness
I pay close attention to the effects food has on my moods, energy and inspiration - these are the first places I feel dips. I have realised that when I drink coffee, I mask the mood and energy changes from my food so I can only judge my foods impact when I'm not having coffee. Some of these signs only show up a day or two later, like a delayed hangover, so to tell where each signal is coming from required me to cut out a lot to reduce the noise and then reintroduce and monitor (elimination diet). Then, my stools, skin and fat composition are great markers too.
I avoid inflammatory foods: processed, dairy, refined sugar, gluten, alcohol, caffeine.
I chase healing foods with high nutritional density (more nutrients per calorie) and anti-oxidative potential. To achieve this, my diet is by far mostly plants, and well-sourced eggs. I try and eat as many different colours and types (leafy, tuber, nut, seed, legume etc.). If I eat any meat (once a month at the moment), it's well-sourced (organic and local).
I introduce change frequently, in the forms of fasting (intermittent & prolonged) and cutting out specific groups for a period of time - like going vegan for a few weeks. Once a month I do 1-3 days of liquid only - smoothly blended soups and smoothies, organic veg juices and water. This has been found to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the gut, and my energy shoots through the roof when I do it. Plus my skin and fat composition improve noticeably too. I also spend a few weeks at a time focusing on a different macronutrient profile, low carb most often.
I have a mixed relationship with the concept of balance when it comes to food - because I do not choose a balance of health and disease.
