A healthy diet does not have to entail depriving oneself of favorite foods, rather it has more to do with breaking bad eating habits, according to an expert.
Dr. Ara DerMarderosian, professor of pharmacognosy at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and an expert in nutraceuticals and natural foods, has provided suggestions for better health that can be particularly useful to students returning to school this week.
He stresses that it is important to eat slowly and in moderation, and to pay attention to “true hunger.” In particular, one should refrain from eating when not hungry. He says it is easy to overeat by consuming food when the body doesnt need it because it reduces the level of satisfaction gained from eating.
Another common mistake people make is to eat when stressed. This should be avoided, he says, because in addition to the danger of overeating, it can also lead to digestive tract problems such as heartburn and stomachache.
Finally, DerMarderosian emphasizes that self-monitoring is important, so that one is always conscious of how and when one eats, but it is crucial to ensure that it does not become an uncontrollable obsession.
Among dietary regimes recommended by health practitioners is the alkaline diet. It is rich in citrus fruits, vegetables, tubers, nuts and legumes, and it has the added advantage of boosting bone health into old age. 