Holistic diets are as varied as there are types of holistic health care practices. Contrary to common belief, not all holistic diets are vegetarian. The holistic approach means to consider the whole person. Some schools of thought teach that humans require meat or animal-based foods, while others do not. It is important to check with a health care professional before making any drastic changes to diet or lifestyle.
Vegan Diet
A vegan diet is strict vegetarianism. Vegans consume only plant-based foods, such as whole grains, nuts and seeds, and fresh fruits and vegetables. No animal products are eaten, including dairy products. Soy milk is often used in place of animal milk, and tofu is typically used in place of meat. Veganism is part of a lifestyle in which no animal products are used, including leather, furs and cosmetics or chemicals that were tested on animals. The University of Maryland Medical Center warns that a vegan diet may lack certain nutrients, specifically iron, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and zinc.
Lacto-ovo Vegetarian
Those who follow a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet still abstain from meat and fish, but do consume eggs and dairy products. Because this eating method is lower in saturated fat and animal products, many experts consider it a healthy choice. According to the Mayo Clinic, those following a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet should consume mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, followed by carbohydrates such as whole grains and legumes, some protein from sources such as eggs and dairy, and lastly healthy oils, fats and minimal sweets.
Paleolithic Diet
The paleolithic, or hunter-gatherer diet, is based on the concept that man evolved by eating foods that could be easily collected or cultivated, and required little preparation. This includes items such as tree nuts and seeds, fresh fruits and berries, mushrooms, roots, vegetables, fish and wild game. Supporters of the paleolithic diet further recommend avoiding all processed foods, foods grown with pesticides or herbicides, and factory-made oils and margarines.
Blood-type Diet
The idea of eating the diet that is best suited for your blood type is similar to the concept of paleolithic eating. Supporters of the blood-type diet teach that the evolution of man can be traced to the development of different blood types. The oldest type is O, which evolved around 40,000 B.C. O types have the strongest constitution, and tend to do well on a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. They also have sluggish metabolisms and should avoid refined grains and sugar.
The A blood type evolved between 25,000 and 15,000 B.C., and were farmers. They have weaker digestive systems and do not tolerate animal protein well. They are also prone to lactose intolerance and should avoid dairy. A types do well on a vegan diet.
B blood types evolved between 15,000 and 10,000 B.C. These people are closest to modern man, and can generally tolerate most foods without problems. B types can digest dairy without problems, but have difficulty with wheat gluten. AB blood types are rarest, less than 5 percent of the current population. They tend to share traits which both A and B types have. They may require taking additional digestive enzymes with meals.
Food-combining Diet
Another method of eating that is popular in many holistic health circles is the concept of proper food combining. Because different nutrients require different digestive enzymes, eating only certain types of foods together helps the digestive system work more efficiently. Simply put, the main macronutrients, carbohydrates, proteins and fats, should be eaten separately. Fruits are eaten alone, and meats and grains should never be eaten together. Vegetables can generally be eaten with either meats or grains. There are a few specific rules to follow as well: Never eat eggs with beans, meat or dairy; never eat nightshades with dairy products; and never eat dairy with yeast breads, meat or fish.
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