Book Review: The Alkaline 5 Diet

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for a review.

The book starts with the good and bad news about diet and health, from the “health” agenda of the giant corporations, GMO food, the false ideas of health induced by the medical authorities and health experts, the lies about cancers etc. Followed by enlightened beliefs about health as suggested by the author. Then there is a description of what is an alkaline diet and how it works.

The author explains why an alkaline diet is not exactly the same as vegan diet and goes into explaining the alkaline-acidic ratio (in this case 80:20) and the benefits obtained by following such diet and how to apply it in daily life.

Part One of the book gives the framework for Optimum Health and Healing that is:

1. Sunlight and deep oxygenation
2. Pure hydration
3. Sleep and balancing rest
4. Living alkaline foods
5. Eliminating acidic toxins
6. Movement and posture
7. Postive mindset and emotions

Each of the above topics has a small chapter fully dedicated to the argument. 

Part Two expands the principles of the Alkaline 5 Diet. Which is from 30-80% (by calories) raw fruits, vegetables and leafy greens, the rest are cooked vegetables as in soups and whole grains and wholegrain products. Seeds and nuts are only allowed in a measure of at max 50g per week. Natural condiments are allowed but only if vegan, GMO-free, low fat and free of any additives, flavourings and colouring. Pulses are allowed in very small quantities because they are only 68% carbs.

Then there is a description of the Alkaline 5 Diet Meals that are:

1. Blood Cleanser
2. Vitamin Vitality Meal
3. Fat-Loss Sugar Meal
4. Raw Alkaline Mineral Meal
5. Hearty Cooked-Fibre Meal

All accompanied by a detailed description of what each is and a list of how to stock your pantry to follow the diet.

Part Three is a day by day, 21-days diet programme.

I am not new to the subject and much that has been written in this book I already knew. In the book there is a lot of motivational talks, personal health story and testimonials of people who followed the Alkaline 5 Diet.

My only warning for this diet is: always check your insulin sensitivity. If you have low insulin sensitivity, known as insulin resistance, you may have difficulty metabolising all the glucose released in this diet and excess glucose becomes fat.

If you are diabetic or pre-diabetic check your blood glucose regularly with each meal plan as indicated in this diet. If you are going to keep it for a long haul check your A1C.

We are all made differently and the concept of holistic health and diet is that each diet is tailored to the individual.

I am sure many will find this diet an excellent way to reverse diseases, even serious ones. As I am sure for a percentage of the population this low fat, high carbohydrate vegan diet, is not a good way to achieve an alkaline environment in the body and urine.

However even if you can’t follow the diet as a whole, incorporating several of the alkalinising fruits and vegetables mentioned in the book, the healthy lifestyle tips plus a blood glucose monitor and a litmus paper at hand in the morning, will surely help to obtain a healthier solution for some.

Published by Hay House

Review Book: The Diabetes Breakthrough

I was very interested in reading this book since I have been living with my genetical diabetes for quite some time now. 

Sincerely speaking I thought there was more to this book than what I felt was stating the obvious. But I kept on reading...

And yes for me it states the obvious or at least most parts although rereading them can help refreshing parts that I might tend to forget willingly or not (such as portion weighing).

Now I do not want to sound arrogant in my knowledge (but being a health practitioner does help a bit here)  on second thoughts this book might not state the obvious for those who are new to diabetes, or pre-diabetes or whatever there is in between and akin.

And from my experience with patients even those who have being living with such maladies for quite a long time might not find it so obvious.

So what is my “verdict”:

I would suggest this book as a life-time companion to read and reread occasionally. A book to keep at a GP's waiting room or a nutritionist. It is simple to read. No medical jargon. Easy to follow. All things are taken in steps and tables come to aid.

Just one thing to add, not all diabetes or pre-diabetes are created equally. Each of us has her/his own story and need specific and individual treatment. 

So yes read and follow this book but first of all listen to your body, discuss with a doctor you trust and a nutritionist that can follow you through. And remember there are no hard and fast rules, we change in time and so our needs.

For website and blog by author click this link

Always the Baker, Never the Bride

A nice, sweet (pun intended) book. The story flows well and I liked reading it. It is a good laugh with lively characters.
I am not a baker so I won't be saying if the recipes in the book are feasible or not but for sure they made my mouth water and dream of a well made cake with a cup of coffee or tea.
Just one thing if I may. The baker is diabetic, Type 1 to be precise and this was something that made me more prone to read the book. I was curious how she handled it all.
Well from that point of view I am very disappointed. The author gives a very wrong impression of what diabetes entails and its everyday management.
I am quite sure that if Emma Rae Travis tackled her diabetes the way it was described in the book with one dose of insulin now and then "an injection of insulin if necessary, which it wasn't tonight" she would have been probably dead ages ago. Type 1 diabetes need more than one shot a day not only to control blood glucose levels but to survive.

Daily Feng Shui Tip

This is what I received in my email Today. It is the Daily Feng Shui Tip by Ellen Whitehurst
Thought it was a great idea to share.

Today we feel the energies of 'World Diabetes Day,' a time dedicated to a disease that claimed the life of my own dear father and almost every other ancestor in his family. And then there is one of my nearest and dearest, my good friend Linda, who was recently diagnosed with a rare kind of this disease causing me to further investigate the correlations between this philosophy I espouse and that insulin imbalance. According to Feng Shui, disease is caused or created by an imbalance in one of the five elements inside our bodies and our homes. In this specific case, diabetes relates to a disorder of the earth element since it's a sickness caused by a disorder of insulin produced by the pancreas, an organ also symbolized by the earth element in Eastern medicine. Earth is represented in the home at the center of same. If you or anyone you know suffers from this sugar issue, be sure to find your center (of the home, that is) and declutter and clean that entire environment! The next step towards health and well-being is to add any earth element to this area. A fresh and healthy green plant, an earthenware vase or container with a beautiful bouquet or anything with the color of yellow or brown (throw rugs, wooden coffee tables, etc.) will do the trick. Bringing balance to the earth-related arena inside your home will go a long way


So that's explains my fasting low today. The fury of decluttering I have been having these last few days.
I'm planning to do more. Have ample material to experiment on.
Doesn't cost me anything and I gain in health, organisation and space.
What else?

World Diabetes Day 2010

For all those struggling to understand life through Diabetes.

May the Universe help you in your goal, which happens to be mine as well!

Take a moment to watch this inspiring video!

How true! / Quanto è vero!

Gioia è leggere misurazioni del glucosio nel sangue entro la norma!

World Diabetes Day 2008 / Giornata Mondiale del Diabete 2008

More than a year has past since I was diagnosed of Diabetes. It has been a long journey (and still is) of coming to terms with the fact that this disease symbolises my ultimate incapability of living emotions in a healthy way.
What I have learnt is not only to make eating a fine art of balancing but also (and the most important part) a long process of learning about my emotions, learning what troubles me and act upon it in the most serene possible way.
Diabetes for me has become a physical meter of my whole physical, spiritual, emotional and mental well being. A meter of how well I’m learning my lessons in this life.

Più di un anno è passato da quando mi hanno diagnosticato il Diabete. E’ stata una lunga strada ( ed ancora è) di venire a termini con il fatto che questa malattia è il simbolo per eccellenza della mia incapacità di vivere l’emozioni in modo salutare.
Ho imparato non solo la delicata arte di bilanciare quello che mangio ma anche (ed è la parte più importante) un lungo processo per imparare dalle mie emozioni, imparare cosa mi preoccupa e gestire la situazione nel modo più sereno possibile.
Il diabete per me è diventato un metro fisico del mio intero benessere fisico, spirituale, emozionale e mentale. Un metro di quanto sto imparando bene dalle lezioni di questa vita.