On Life As A Picky Foodie

What's In A Word?

di·et n

Pronunciation: \ˈdī-ət\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English diete, from Anglo-French, from Latin diaeta, from Greek diaita, literally, manner of living, from diaitasthai to lead one's life

Date: 13th century

1 a : food and drink regularly provided or consumed b : habitual nourishment c : the kind and amount of food prescribed for a person or animal for a special reason d : a regimen of eating and drinking sparingly so as to reduce one's weight <going on a diet>
2 : something provided or experienced repeatedly <a diet of Broadway shows and nightclubs — Frederick Wyatt>

(source: Merriam-Webster English dictionary)

The word diet engenders all kinds of reactions. For many, diet has become synonymous with a restrictive way of eating designed either to bring about weight loss or better health. 

In fact a person’s diet is nothing more than another way of describing eating habits – no calorie counting, carb. restriction or protein gorging necessary. 

Years ago, as a university student in Jerusalem, I became involved in human rights and political activism.  Working with students from all backgrounds, religions and political views, the goal was to find a common ground on which to build a future based on peace.  One of the most frustrating disputes that I encountered at the time was the fact that the word peace meant very different things to each person – a first roadblock that we were constantly dealing with.

The word diet poses many of the same challenges: Atkins is a diet, so too is the Low GI as well as the Pritikin, South Beach and Zone diets – and many people in the Western World have spent at least a portion of their lives following someone else’s prescription for health and weight loss – someone else’s diet. 

Then again every single thing that you choose to put into your mouth is part of the YOU diet. 

So why not stop letting others dictate your diet?  It’s time to accept that Atkins worked for Dr. Atkins (or so his legacy still claims) and Montignac worked for Mr. Montignac, but what is appropriate for each one of us is our own version of diet.

I’m not saying that there aren’t things we can learn from each one of these visionaries, but in order to figure out what works for each one of us, what we need to do is combine all we know, all we’ve learned, all that has helped us and hindered us and create our own. 

You might not go and write a book about it, but that doesn’t make the You diet any less effective – after all, it works for you!

And that, dear friends, is the cornerstone of my work as a Holistic Health Consultant. Together with my clients we figure out what their diet story is.  This is and should be valid for one person and one person alone; because each one of us functions differently and every body is unique and wonderful and fed and nourished in so many different ways.  

I am currently offering various discount packages for readers of my newsletter.  If you’ve tried everyone else’s, why not give the YOU diet a shot?  Email me at Gabriela@thepickyfoodie.com for more information (be sure to mention On Life As A Picky Foodie).

Be well and enjoy,

Gabriela

P.S.  Friday Night Dinner in Paris is always special. In fact, every night in Paris is special.  But this week’s Friday Night Dinner was one for the record books: DW and I went out for an incredible meal to celebrate present number 22 out of the 40 he is receiving to mark this joyous year.  Check out the most expensive salad ever in this week’s Friday Night Dinner Blog!

P.P.S.  Ladies of London -- here's your last chance to sign up for the workshop that can change your life!