Body and Soul: Foods to Seek Out, Foods to Avoid

Whenever you can, follow these basic dietary guidelines for optimal health:

Seek out…

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Beans: tofu, adzuki, lentils
• Grains: rice, wheat and oats
• Nuts and seeds: almonds, walnuts, pecans, sesame and coconut
  
• Dairy products in moderation, including milk, butter, yogurt and cottage cheese
• Natural sugars like honey, maple syrup, molasses and jaggery
  
• Spices: ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, fennel, cumin, coriander, turmeric, mint, basil and fenugreek
• Herbal teas, natural water and fresh juices

Avoid…

• Too much meat, fish and eggs
• Artificial, processed and junk foods
• Sodas (including cola)
  
• Canned food, frozen food and food kept in refrigerator for too long
• Poor quality oils, animal fats and margarine
• Fried and over-spiced food
• White sugar and artificial sweeteners
• Cold, old, stale and reheated food
• Too much alcohol