GUIDELINES FOR EATING
by Dr. William Rice DC, DACBN, CCN, FACCN

These are general guidelines; any specific instructions by your healthcare practitioner should supersede these.

• Eat slowly.

• Chew your food thoroughly. Try to chew each mouthful approximately 15 times. Digestion begins in the mouth. "Chew your drinks and drink your food"

• Do not drink with meals. Drinking dilutes valuable digestive juices that contain enzymes and hydrochloric acid that may result in poor digestion of food and inadequate assimilation of nutrients. Liquids "push" foods through the digestive tract too quickly which may result in indigestion.

• You may drink one-half hour before or one hour after meals. The only exception to this rule is when taking food supplements or prescribed medications.

• Avoid eating foods or drinking beverages that are too hot or too cold. Very hot foods and beverages are irritants that debilitate the stomach and are associated with a higher incidence of stomach cancer. Very cold foods and drinks require the energy of the body to warm them to the same temperature as the stomach before digestion can begin. In addition, ice-cold beverages decelerate the digestive processes.

• Eat sparingly. The benefit you derive from food does not depend on the quantity as much as it depends on its digestion and assimilation of quality foods. Overeating clogs the machinery, weakens the body, causes constipation and may decrease one’s life span.

• Eat at regular intervals, allowing several hours between meals. The stomach and other digestive organs must have periods of rest -- they cannot work constantly.

• Do not eat before going to bed. Sleep is a period of rest and regeneration. This cannot occur if your body must first digest your "midnight snack".

• Do not eat when emotionally upset or overtired. These states often diminish the efficiency of digestion and often cause gas, constipation or diarrhea, or indigestion.

• Relax before and during eating. Relaxation will enhance the digestive processes.

• Avoid eating while watching television, reading, writing or studying. Eat at the table, not while standing, driving or working. Concentrate on your food and digestion while eating.

Further Recommendations for Weight Loss:

• Do not eat between meals. But do eat 4-5 meals daily to balance sugar & insulin levels. If you are hungry, drink a large glass of water, lemon water or herbal tea.
• You may have a therapeutic food drink such as UltraMeal.
• Do not skip meals.
• Do exercise daily.