Body Ecology Diet

Background

The Body Ecology Diet was created by nutritionist Donna Gates. This diet helps people to restore and maintain the ‘inner ecology’ of the body so as to regain health and vitality. Gates does not promote her plan as a weight loss diet, but she says that it can play a major role in dealing with the health factors that may contribute to obesity.

The diet is based on the fact that our bodies have a natural balance of microorganisms that are involved in a range of functions in the body. Gates says that there are many factors in our modern diets that are contributing to the disruption of that balance such as the excessive consumption of foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugar.

The Body Ecology Diet rebuilds the natural ecosystem so as to support optimal health and improve a variety of chronic health conditions.

Diet Basics

This diet is basically a version of a Candida diet.

The foundation of the plan is the three basic principles:

1. The addition of cultured foods to the diet such as fermented vegetables, organic yogurt and kefir, which is a fermented drink, made from either organic milk or coconut water.

2. To change the quality of fats in the diet. Gates encourages the use of ‘good’ fats such as flaxseed oil, extra virgin olive, and coconut oils.

3. This principle involves dramatically reducing carbohydrate and sugar intake. Most forms of concentrated carbohydrates are eliminated on this diet such as grains, potato, sweets, and the majority of fruits. As dieters progress on the diet they may be allowed to carefully increase their intake of fruits, high carbohydrate vegetables, and specific grains.

Gates states that these three factors can have a profound effect on your level of well-being and vitality by improving the natural balance of the inner ecology. Gates also introduces concept of food combining to the dieters which is very important to improve digestive function.

Recommended Foods

Kefir made from goat milk or organic cows milk, coconut water kefir, cultured vegetables such as raw sauerkraut, sea vegetables, organic eggs, fish, organic chicken, turkey, lean meat, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, salads and steamed vegetables, quinoa, amaranth grain, millet, buckwheat flour, coconut oil, olive oil.

Sample Diet Plan

Exercise Recommendations

Exercise is recommended to increase oxygenation of the body and to reduce the presence of certain microorganisms such as Candida.
These exercises can be used with the Body Ecology Diet.

Costs and Expenses

The Body Ecology Diet retails for $24.95.
There are many recommended supplements that may increase the cost of following this program.
There will also be an increase in the grocery bill due to the need to purchase special foods and organic produce.

Pros

• Provides a natural alternative for the management of digestive disorders and chronic fatigue.
• Includes recipes, menus, and shopping lists.
• Includes diet tips for controlling the urge to snack and for eating away from home.

Cons

• Does not specifically address weight management and is targeted more at improving general health.
• Very restrictive diet both in regards to allowed foods and diet structure.
• Very difficult to eat out.
• A great deal of time must be spent in food preparation.
• Diet involves food combining, which is lacking in scientific support.
• Recommends the use of many expensive supplements.

Conclusions

It may take some time to experience the desired results on this plan so it will be most appropriate for those with a high degree of motivation. Even though this diet does promote food combining, which is criticized by some as lacking in scientific evidence, many dieters have found relief from digestive disorders with this approach.

With this diet plan it is possible to lose weight. The issue of weight loss is not the main focus of this plan so it is probably more suitable for individuals who wish to address specific health concerns.