I have to mention something that has radically changed the families lifestyle recently, mine in particular, over the last couple of months. A lot of people out there will be familiar with the TV series know as you are what you eat. Those that aren’t the premise is thus: a Nutritional expert in the form of Doctor Gillian McKeith visits a selected persons house, and by analysing their cupboards, bodies, tongues and stools she is able to point out, in meaningful terms, the quantities and effect of the pollutants and toxins being absorbed in every day food. Now I’ve never been a health freak or a Veggie preacher, most of you will know I love my food and more importantly Beer. But the insightful observations Doctor  Gillian lays out in her programme I found intensely thought provoking, so did my wife AND children. So much so that when I decided to change our complete lifestyle there was  little resistance.

Now the true diet as laid out by Dr Gillian is radical and eliminates all the recognised staples such as bread, crisps, oils, processed foods, tea, coffee and alcohol. And brings in all new foodstuffs such as beans and pulses, nuts, seeds, brown rice, fresh meats & fish, herbal teas and a disciplined eating regime.

I took to it with relish, cutting out Red meat, Coffee, Tea, bread, Crisps, sugar, salt, margarine, oil, Pasta, packet & prepared foods/sauces and ALCAHOL. Replacing them all with fresh chicken, vegetables, fruit, brown rice, couscous, dried beans, pumpkin & sunflower seeds, Fresh fish, Mineral water, Herbal teas and supplements. Not exactly as straightforward as all that but you get the gist. I have to emphasise thought that the purpose of the diet change was NOT weight loss, although I did expect some, it was in fact a healthy lifestyle for both me and the family. Within a week of this ‘change’, of being without the toxins inside me, I felt absolutely amazing, I felt more aware, awake, and generally better. Within a fortnight I was feeling fit AND losing weight, and most surprisingly thing was the kids enjoyed it too!!. Here we are now, two months down the line, still eating healthily and feeling better for and I am carrying 1st 9lb less.

However we have made concessions to the diet, we no longer follow it to the absolute letter, and do allow ourselves ‘treats’ on a Friday/Saturday (generally beer for me).

 

In short, I recommend this for anyone, yes it takes some adjustment, discipline and re-education, but trust me – its worth it. And don’t wait for the next series on the Telly, go out and get the book that accompanies it.