Following A Diet: The Good And The Bad

by Eric Bakker N.D.

There are literally thousands of diets out there. You may have bought a book, you know, the X, Y, or Z diet. It could even be my diet, the Candida Crusher.

There are definitely advantages of following a diet, including that it provides structure. A strict diet will tell you what you need to do, how you need to do it, and what you need to buy when you go shopping, and what recipes to make.

I’ve been asked by many people for a carefully constructed diet plan. I suggest going to a dietician if you want that kind of guidance. Although, for most people, it’s probably something they will follow for a few weeks, and then they’ll be back to their normal routine. It’s quite rare for someone to follow instructions like that, down to the letter.

Despite the advantages, in my opinion, the cons outweigh the pros for most diets. Most people gravitate back towards their own preferences and eating style. We all like certain types of food, and we’re drawn back to those foods. I believe this is because the bacteria in our gut shape how we think and feel. We don’t think for ourselves. The bacteria think for us.

You might find that a strange concept, but if you go and live in another country for six or twelve months, you will change the way you eat. Your tastes will change. Your desires will change. These changes occur because your gut bacteria changes. The soil in your new country is different. The air, the water, everything about the country, is going to shape your gut. Even the stress of your job and your relationships will shape your gut. In my opinion, your diet will be driven by your bacteria.

In turn, your bacteria are driven, to a degree, by what you eat. If you always strive to eat healthy, organic food, it is going to confer incredible benefits in the gut. Your gut will then influence your diet – not some book or piece of paper. It’s true what they’ve said since the 1950s – every time you put something in your mouth to eat, you’re building up your health, or you’re breaking it down. That’s a critical point to think about. Not what book you should follow, or which diet you should follow.

What someone else writes about food might not apply to you. What’s important to you is what relates to your gut, and how that food makes you feel. Whether it’s a protein, fat, or carb, there are helpful guidelines when it comes to eating. We all know that we shouldn’t eat too much meat. But, ultimately, it’s your life, and it’s your call.

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About Eric Bakker N.D.

Eric Bakker ND has completed almost ten years of study and has almost almost 25 years of clinical experience in natural and integrative forms of medicine, and has pursued continuous post-graduate study in Australia, America, India as well as in New Zealand.

Eric is the past Vice President of the NZ Natural Medicine Association and is currently on their editorial advisory board.