John Lark

Ok, ok I know ANOTHER dietary fad, promise or quick fix.

But, hey, listen up because whether you like it or not you MAY not have to count calories or listen to the diet dictocrats whine on about how many calories are in protein, carbohydrate or fat.

What does this mean? Well it means if you stick to a more alkaline diet then you may be able to eat what you want without the corresponding level of guilt, self destruction and stress associated with it.

You know  – the ‘I’ve eaten a packet of biscuits so I might as well really finish it off with this tub if ice-cream’ then followed by

‘What have I done!!” (trigger tearing of hair and self-loathing) followed by an increase in stress which guess what? Triggers MORE sugar cravings.

It is a circle of destruction.

We have a right to not be at the mercy of food. We have a right to have boundless energy throughout the day with glowing skin, boundless energy and strength. We have a right to be free from disease.

They key, as Dr Robert Young explores in his book, The pH Miracle is to maintain your acid-alkaline balance.

As a starting point for someone looking to change, this is a good point.

Now you don’t really need to know about pleomorphism or become a microbiologist to understand about ‘building blood’.

What is interesting is that if you do stick to a more ‘alkalising’ approach to your foods, water and lifestyle then the results are forthcoming.  You will optimise your ideal weight (rather than be overweight), you will have glowing skin, you will have boundless energy. Why? Because that is how you are designed.

The essence of this programme is to eat what you know is good for you (vegetable, some fruits, fish and dietary fats) and avoid what is not.

Not exactly rocket science?

There are some specific alkalising foods that are rich in alkaline minerals such as potassium and magnesium contrary to the more acid forming foods such as phosphorous and sulphur. These include lemon, limes and avocado.

(A list of acid and alkaline foods can be found at my web-site www.john-lark.com)

A good starting point for most individuals is to alkalise through  hydrating yourself. Most of us stay ‘overdrawn’ when it comes to hydration. Drinking one cup of water only to become overdrawn with a cup of coffee then another, then another. Considering we are 70 per cent water, this is something to take note.
How on earth can you expect to metabolise fat if you are dehydrated? Drink up!

Building an alkaline rich meal is not as hard as it seems.

Stick to your plate being 80 per cent alkaline foods and the rest being acid forming foods such as meat, dairy or starches.

Yesterday I had a leafy green salad made up of spinach, sprouts, celery, pak-choi, asparagus, peppers and carrots, drizzled some olive oil and lemon juice over it and draped a avocado on the side. Then for the 20 per cent I added a piece of salmon or you can have some pasta.

It is not hard to construct your own. Just makes sure that 80 per cent of your plate is covered with foods you know are good for you and the other 20 per cent stick to the wholesome foods that may not be as good for you e.g pasta, rice, potatoes.

Obviously there is always the devil in the detail. Foods that we may have thought are good for us if we are trying to achieve some form of balance either through optimising our weight or our health may not be in the long run.

However, as always there are some core issues that are at work here.

One, we know what is good for us in most instances we just choose not to do it. Why? That is  a personal decision weighted by our pressing needs for instant fulfilment.

Secondly, most if not all diet (I hate that word) or (clear the throat) nutritional strategies work if you stick to the principles 90 per cent of the time. So can you eat your favourite dessert. Yes, of course! But not every day of the week!

In our efforts to constantly seek pleasure we have forgotten about the pain in some of nutritional choices. Find your balance and this constant mental battle will disappear.

John Lark is a personal trainer in Dublin