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Turning healthy eating into a habit

Our eating habits can both decrease and increase the quality of the meals we consume. WHAT to eat and WHEN to eat are key nutrition issues. The third crucial question is HOW to eat. The short answer is as follows.

Think about what you are eating. Pages 20 ff. provide a detailed explanation and practical advice on how to implement this principle whilst you are travelling or attending business meals or dinner parties.

Detox your eating habits

Some food myths mean that we end up choosing foods or modes of preparation which place a strain on our digestive system rather than helping it. All the more reason to clear up a few misunderstandings and liberate ourselves from unhealthy half-truths.

1.Eat raw fruit and vegetables in moderation and in a targeted way

Raw food is difficult to digest and is highly likely to ferment after consumption. This constitutes a considerable challenge for weak digestive systems. The fermentation process which vegetables undergo can even contribute to an acid metabolism. It is therefore better to forget about the salad buffet and the juice bar in the evening. Only eat fresh fruit and salads in the morning and at lunchtime when your digestive system is at its most effective.

2.Chewing helps maintain control whilst eating

Smoothies do not need to be chewed and so do not produce any sense of feeling full. We rapidly consume large quantities of puréed drinks and liquids. Depending on the fruit content, considerable amounts of sugar may also be involved. There is no way we would tuck into an equivalent number of whole fruits and vegetables.

3.Snacks cannot replace mealtimes

Taking energy on board constantly via a stream of small meals is both unnecessary and detrimental. Eating between meals means that there is no time for full digestion, and in any case most conventional snacks are alkali predators made up of white flour, sugar and hydrogenated fats. We consume snacks incidentally without really thinking, and they are hard to digest. Mealtimes are a valuable ritual which deserve time and space.

4.Potatoes do not make you fat

Unlike cereals, pasta and rice, all of which form acids, potatoes actually add alkali to the body. As is the case with every type of food, the crucial factors are quantity and means of preparation. When used to create alkali-based soups and sauces (p. 47), potatoes form the foundation of numerous dishes found in modern Mayr cuisine. You need have no compunction about making steamed or boiled potatoes a frequent part of your diet.