Natural Medicine Update

I had a very pleasant follow-up conversation with a patient the other day. When I picked up the phone, I was greeted with, “Hello Dr. Colicci. I just read your blog!” What a wonderful surprise. I guess I never really expected anyone to read it. This patient was happy to see another A type blogging. She expressed some frustration with keeping to the regime, and I assured her that she is not alone. This blog is dedicated to her….

Very often we hear patients voice their struggles with keeping on track with the diet. Do I advocate the Blood Type Diet? You bet I do! Do I find it the easiest thing in the world to do? Not always! That’s right, I said it! I will be the first person to admit that there are times that I really do miss those avoids, and boy oh boy is it ever a struggle to force myself to eat fish… Growing up, my mother (who happens to be an amazing cook) fed us well. She was always health conscience and kept herself well read when it came to nutrition. She used to own a fish market. Suffice to say, growing up around it made me not want to eat it. I think she now gets amused when she sees me eating it. I stopped by her house this evening on my way home from the clinic, and there it was beautifully placed in a dish waiting for me….COD!!!! Thanks Mom…..

So what is the key to success? I know that there are many answers to this question, as we all have our individual vices. My answer has a few simple points. First and most important, you need to believe in what it is that you are doing. The resistant grip loosens when both your heart and mind agree that something just “feels” right.

Second, try not to look at it as if you are dieting. In reality, it is so much more than that. It is more like a healthy lifestyle that incorporates healthy choices. You are not punishing yourself, but actually giving your body gifts every day. The better you take care of it, the better it takes care of you. I think this is why the BTD has sustained the test of fad diets.

Third, and I owe this one to the man himself, don’t spend so much time concentrating on what you can’t eat, rather concentrate on what you can eat. This probably seems like a play on words, but trust me, if you do this, it is so much easier!

The last issue I want to concentrate on is breakfast. Everyone asks me what I eat for breakfast, so I guess it is an important struggle point. My advice on breakfast is this: If you can eat it any other time of the day, you can eat it for breakfast. I am not sure exactly how foods got categorized as items that you only eat in the morning, but we need to break the mind set here. Don’t be surprised if you stop by the clinic in the morning and see me eating my cod…. :-)

Natalie