by Janet Pieterse

Created on: March 04, 2008   Last Updated: October 12, 2009

To get the most from the foods you eat, you must first consider the question "Why do you eat?"
To satisfy hunger? That's not the real reason: hunger is a sign that your body needs fuel. Those calories you ingest are designed to give your body energy; your food choices are the secret to vitality.

Today, we tend to focus on foods that are easy to eat. Cornflakes for breakfast. A sandwich for lunch. A pop-in-the microwave ready-prepared meal in the evening.

In an ideal world, to get the most from the foods we eat, we would choose natural, unprocessed foods. Take note of that word unprocessed: that pretty much cuts out sugar, bread, pasta, boxed cereals, ready meals and similar. It's not just cakes, candies and fizzy, sugary drinks that can steal your energy! Keep the sugar and refined flour products for occasional treats: your best source of energy is wholesome, common foods fresh from the lands.

Let's talk vegetables. Fruit. Nuts. Eggs. Fish. Dairy products. Organic meat and chicken - organic because you don't want to eat all those hormones they use in modern farming. Whole, unprocessed grains. Vegetables and fruit are plentiful: eat lots of them. Vegetables will give you an ample supply of complex carbohydrates that don't spike in the bloodstream, though go easy on those starchy potatoes.

Salads are a quick and easy solution for fast meals; consider vegetable salads too, not just lettuce. Dress them up with nuts, eggs, cheese, fish, poultry or meat. Make your own dressings with oil and vinegar, seasoned yoghurt, or whatever takes your fancy. Just be sure to look for extra-virgin, cold-pressed oils for dressings.

Cheese, boiled egg or cold meats with vegetable crudites are another quick option, and there's little to beat a good vegetable soup on a cold day.If you're used to coffee and cereal for breakfast, natural foods can provide a challenge! Try fruit, nuts and natural cheese. It doesn't take that long to boil or scramble an egg either.As for drinks, there's no real problem with coffee or tea if you leave out the sugar. Wean yourself gradually if you need to. Drink plenty of water, of course. Even a glass or two of wine with a meal won't be a problem. Beer contains too much sugar, so limit that. Fizzy drinks and artificial sweeteners are manufactured, processed thieves of energy, so avoid them or anything containing them. Limit fruit juices, because they're high in sugar; whole fruits have a whole lot more going for them.
Don't worry about calories: calories are there to provide energy. Eat till you're satisfied, not satiated. Eating too little just robs you of energy and your metabolism slows down to match.

Finally, assess your reactions to the foods you eat. Do they leave you tired, listless and hungry again, an hour or so after your meal? If you enjoy them, limit them to treats. Focus on the foods that keep you feeling great and full of energy for hours. Everyone has their own formula, and you can have fun finding yours.

Bon appetit!

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