Digest Number 408, Perfect Diet

[Guest guest]

I wonder Todd if there is really such a thing as a perfect food .

Combination of several different types of food may be " healthier" than if taken

singly.

 

It also depends on the Philosophical framework of the people consuming the food.

 

The Chinese for example, consider vegetables as Ying and meats as Yang and want

a combination of both. They also prefer more raw foods than cooked. But, cannot

consume any milk due to a genetic milk intolerance.

 

The Kosher keeping Jews have their own dietary restrictions, which are also

followed by the Muslims.

 

The Buddhist and Jain Indians will not accept amy meat ( unless they are from

Tibet, or from North America). Tibet, because very little vegetables grow there

and North America, where all religions and foods have intermingled, unless one

is still very religious.

 

I do not consider eating of Fish by a Christian on Friday is what makes it

perfect. But, Fish has omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, besides being light

meat. But, Fish is a broad terminology. Unless one catches fish from the open

sea, one can have problems from " Fish raised in ponds", as well as those that

are scavengers like the shrimp, etc..And even on the high seas, the fish can

lead to different worm infestations as well as Mercury poisoning.

 

By far, a combination of fruits, vegetables and nuts, seems to be good. One may,

if it does not conflict with one's religious views, have some " white meat" or

fish on occasion, and have plenty of exercise, regardless of the actual diet.

Cooked vegetables and meats have lesser problems, as long as one does not

overcook them and " kill" the food. Ghee seems to be good in terms of

detoxification as well as being a nutritional building block.

But there is no single perfect food.

 

Durgesh Mankikar, MD