Being Brainy about Diet ~ What is Permissible?

All things are permissible but not everything is beneficial. 1 COR 10:23

Not long ago, I posted a few interesting posts that counter most popular beliefs about salt, sugar and fat.  Everyone can agree that all things in moderation are good for you and excessive behaviors = over-eating and prolonged sitting i.e. are not good for you. Though, we are very much engaged in moderation; most people are over their desired and or recommended weight index. Hence, we see a number of reports on diet, one usurping the other. I have always said that all things are permissible but not everything is beneficial. To that Biblical scripture, I would add that not everything is beneficial over and above what you know your bodily system can manage. What is always on everyone's mind is the amount of fat in their diet (ironically hardly ever asking about the amount of sugar) or the number one question I often hear - How can one eat fat and not get fat? I have always known that fat in our diet adds to flavor and it is important to brain function. People are waking up to this old school common sense. My knowledge about fat has been recently confirmed in an article that says that fat in our diet creates better flavor and it also helps the body better absorb plant-based vitamins and other nutrients. Furthermore, it helps create a feeling of fullness that is hard to come by with veggies only. So those who now are waking up to fat in our diet are proclaiming that instead of thinking low-fat for 2015, think about adding some 'real' fat to your diet if you don't already.
When it comes to my bodily system, I have to be more careful about insoluble fruits and vegetables than anything else. Why? Because, insoluble means roughage and that is what my gastrointestinal device has trouble with... all things that are rough. They cause me bloating, indigestion and intestinal inflammation. What about Insoluble fibers? Yes, they are considered gut-healthy fiber because they have a laxative effect and add bulk to the diet, helping prevent constipation. But, since these fibers do not dissolve in water, they pass through the gastrointestinal tract relatively intact (in the form they went in). Yes, they are said to speed up the passage of food and waste through your gut but for those of us that are sensitive to insolubles, this passage of bulk (intact) does more harm than good. Insoluble fibers are mainly found in whole grains and vegetables. Sources of insoluble fiber: whole wheat, whole grains, wheat bran, corn bran, seeds, nuts, barley, couscous, brown rice, bulgur, zucchini, celery, broccoli, cabbage, onions, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, green beans, dark leafy vegetables, raisins, grapes, fruit, and root vegetable skins. In this case, for me, all things fruit and veggie are permissible but not everything is beneficial. Maybe that is why my diet is a basic meat and potatoes. I can eat cooked onion, cooked carrots, parsnips, squash, eggplant and tomatoes - skins off. As for fruits, oranges 'yes' and apples 'no', and pears being best of all. In fact, I  posted a blog on the wonderful benefits of pears, check the archived list (all past posts) on this blog page.  In sum, being brainy means knowing what you can afford to eat, are permitted to eat and what your body can manage to digest. Exercise is also a very important part of good digestion, health and well being.