So here is what I understand from all the diets I keep hearing about:
Ovo-vegetarian: vegetarian but includes eggs, but no dairy
Lacto-vegetarian: vegetarian but includes dairy, but no eggs
Lacto-ovo-vegetarian: vegetarian but includes dairy and eggs
Flexitarian: primarily vegetarian but occasionally eats meat
Vegan: does not eat any animal products
Vegan “before 6pm”: vegan only from morning to 6pm
Beegan: vegan but includes dairy products
Raw: vegan but only eats natural, fresh, raw and mostly uncooked food items
Pescatarian: eats seafood but no meat or chicken and no dairy or eggs
Pollotarian: eats poultry but no seafood or meat and no dairy or eggs
Pollo-pescatarian: eats poultry and seafood but no dairy or eggs
Macrobiotic: raw but cooked food and eats seafood
Carnivore: red meat is the primary focus of the diet
Paleotarian: does not eat grains, legumes, most diary and sugar and avoids processed foods
Fruitarian: only eats fruit and possibly nuts and seeds
So what are you? If you’re not on the list than you are either a combination of the above or you don’t really care and you eat anything you want or we are similar. From my personal experience, I follow my balanced diet: a little bit of everything, but try my hardest to consume mostly fresh, natural and unprocessed food. To me, that means trying to be consistent in eating home-made food using the least possible amount of processed ingredients and sticking to natural, fresh and raw ingredients with the addition of natural herbs and spices for extra flavouring. Eating out might be the only option for you, but when I occasionally eat out, I always try to opt for meals that are colourful with fresh ingredients and use the least amount of ‘sauces’ and extra processed flavouring. Balance is key, especially in food, and one of the definitions of balance is good proportions, meaning healthy meal proportions and eating what you’re body biologically needs and requires. Following a balanced diet also requires mental strength because you have to be able to eat a bit of everything but have the control to not over-do it when it comes to the not-so healthy meals that you may want to eat every once in a while. That’s why you should always think of ways that help you maintain your balance and make sure to find those tricks that work for you by training yourself. For example, I always leave dried fruit, nuts or unprocessed vegan sweets like my homemade date and tahini brownies available around the house for that occasional sweet tooth craving.
Don’t get me wrong, if you feel good following a more restricted diet, then continue what you are doing because you might have found the right formula for your body. Everyone’s body is different and that’s why it takes years of trial and error figuring out the right diet for you. From my own learning curve, I limit my intake of diary, eggs, gluten and refined sugars because I feel it keeps me lighter and feel it works better for my digestive system. But it’s not the end of the world if those items are in my food every once in a while, because life is too short and I am not going to complicate everything. I also took a food intolerance blood test and try to avoid the foods that were listed, but do not deny myself the occasional food item that may cause me to bloat. This brings me to my last point, you might have a severe reaction to a certain food product where you need medical attention, where you definitely need to follow that diet or you might have noticed how your body reacts to certain food groups over the years and now understand what was causing that minor reaction. Whatever it is, trust your body when it reacts to the food you eat, because it is, and if you aren’t already listening, start listening to it. Secondly, be real with yourself, don’t give into those mind games and lose control while eating, be sure to coach yourself and realise what your body needs because your body needs you as much as you need your body.
* The author is a wellness advocate and influencer @keys2balance.
