What does it mean to be healthy?
Being healthy is not just the absence of disease but it is a state where the body, mind and spirit all flow in a way that allows for balance. When you feel balanced, your mood is bright, you wake up refreshed and, after a meal, you feel lighter and nourished.
“Being healthy is not just the absence of disease but it is a state where the body, mind and spirit all flow in a way that allows for balance.”
Do you follow any specific way of eating?
“Favourite snacks include vegetables and hummus or guacamole.”
I listen to my body. I avoid foods that I have a delayed IgG reaction to 80 per cent of the time. [A delayed IgG reaction is where the symptoms of an allergy can occur up to 72 hours after the food has been eaten]. I don’t deprive myself of things I love, but eat them in moderation. I don’t eat dairy, gluten, sugar or yeast. My diet is protein and vegetables and good fats, which all help me balance my blood sugar.
Why is it important for you to feel (and look) healthy?
Because when I feel healthy, I look younger and I feel better mentally and emotionally. I grew up with digestive problems until the age of 13 when I saw a naturopathic doctor, Kelly Farnsworth. He was able to diagnose the foods I should avoid and he put me on various supplements and dietary recommendations, which helped me feel better than any drug I was given.
“I always wanted to be a doctor, but a doctor who has many tools to treat the underlying cause of disease and illness, versus suppressing symptoms and covering them with temporary Band-Aids.”
Furthermore, by fixing my gut through avoiding the inflammatory foods and having the supplements to heal, it improved my immune system. Seasonal allergies, colds and flus were something of the past after being on this programme. I knew this is what I wanted to do for my career. I always wanted to be a doctor, but a doctor who has many tools to treat the underlying cause of disease and illness, versus suppressing symptoms and covering them with temporary Band-Aids.
“Millet, quinoa and amaranth are among the most nutritious foods.”
What foods or groups of foods (if any) do you avoid?
Gluten, dairy, yeast, garlic and sugar. I avoid gluten, dairy and yeast as I have an IgG reaction to these foods. I avoid sugar as much as possible as it is inflammatory, as are IgG foods. Inflammatory foods increase your susceptibility to various illnesses and affect your immune system.
What do you think are the most nutritious foods and how do you fit them in to your diet and life?
– Tofu, fresh white fish, organic chicken, eggs, beans and falafel
– Kale, broccoli, spinach, collard greens, cabbage and carrots
– Blueberries, raspberries, apples, grapes, peaches and nectarines
– Millet, quinoa and amaranth
What is your optimal breakfast?
– Millet, blueberries and organic unsweetened soy milk
“I love to have blueberries with millet and organic unsweetened soy milk for breakfast.”
– Boiled/poached eggs with tomato and avocado
How do you stay on track when you travel?
I try to find restaurants around my area and hotel that have the right foods. I go to Whole Foods Market and stock up on the foods I can eat and keep them at my hotel and in my bag so when I crave sweets or carbohydrates, I have a snack that is healthy and readily available.
Favourite snacks?
Vegetables and hummus or guacamole; rice crackers topped with almond butter; sheep’s yoghurt topped with blueberries; organic popcorn; a rice cracker topped with avocado; kale chips.
Favourite food treats?
I treat myself to whatever it is that I want but don’t eat more than one helping and most of the time I don’t finish it as I feel satisfied. You don’t always have to finish your plate or dessert for the sake of finishing it. Eat what feels satisfying, be mindful while you are eating and enjoy every bite.
The studio at Bootcamp Pilates.
Have you ever tried a diet or detox that worked for you?
Yes, my food IgG diet works very well for me with loads of vegetables and small amounts of fruit.
What’s your exercise routine/schedule?
I go to Pilates twice a week and walk my dog in the park for an hour at a time, four times a week.
Do you like trying new exercise classes/trainers/trends?
I love Bootcamp Pilates and Pilates with Daniel at Body Works West.
