Food is one of the biggest pleasures in our life. Some say that every human pleasure is either illegal, or immoral, or leads to obesity; most of us think that tasty food is not really healthy, and healthy food tastes terrible? But is it really so?

Do you want to feel fresh in the morning? Waking up easily, active and full of energy? Do you want to have a slim, beautiful body, and clear, creative mind? Then be careful with what you eat, because there is no other way to a long and healthy life than keeping your diet healthy.

I am sure you have already heard a lot about different diets which promise to keep you healthy and fit. Some of them sound more or less reasonable (like vegetarianism), some promote quite surprising ideas (like eating only vegetables of a certain color, or only food growing on the surface of the ground, or fruit that drops from trees unaided), and some are just full of rules and restrictions and impossible to remember without the constant companionship of a professional nutritionist. But all these leave us with one main question: why eating, arguably the most natural process in our life, should be so complicated?

The Rule

Our body was created by nature, so it is reasonable to expect that nature also created something to feed it. Fruit, vegetables, grains, eggs, diary products, fish and meat; all these seem like perfect sustenance for human beings - providing we do not spoil it by bad cooking.

The first and most important rule of healthy eating is simple: your food should be as natural as possible. This rule is infallible and easy to remember. Every day and every meal, choosing what to put to your plate, chose the most natural option. It means that the less cooking you apply the better. Fresh orange is better than a packed juice, packed juice is better than a fizzy drink. A collection of raw vegetables is better than a mixed salad with mayonnaise dressing, the mixed salad is better than a stir fry, and the latter is far better than the canned equivalent, or pickled cucumbers. (Tasty as they may be!)

Steak is better than a sausage, fresh cooked dinner is better than a frozen microwave reheated meal. The principle is ridiculously simple. But try it, and you will be amazed with the results.

Of course it does not mean that you should only stick to raw vegetables. Over centuries of civilization our digestive system adapted to cooked meals, and there is no point in trying to go back to raw feeding. Generally our body is amazingly adaptive; you can even live all your life eating beer and chips only. (It is unlikely to be a very long life, though.)

For most products cooking is essential. Some could be dangerous when raw (like meat), some just not taste right (like grains). But almost all fruit and vegetables are delicious without any complicated recipes, and other food normally requires much less cooking than we are used to.

How to Start

First of all, do not try to change your whole diet in one day! Your body needs time to adapt to new type of food. And if you suddenly start feeding it only with fresh salads after a lifetime of beef burgers, the main result you will get is indigestion and flatulence (which would just make you give up the idea before you even do it properly).

Start slowly. Start with a salad once a day, with choosing boiled or grilled meals instead of fried and deep fried, with minimizing most unhealthy products, such as crisps and cakes. It is not only your body that needs to adapt, you also need some time to get used to new habits, to the new taste of your meals, to learn new recipes. Some types of ingredients, like refined sugar, are seriously addictive, and when you stop consuming them in usual amounts you feel real withdrawal symptoms, almost like a drug-addict. It may take months before your stomach, pancreas and bowel start working as they are meant to, so be patient and persistent.

Gradually reduce amounts of salt and sugar in your meals. In the beginning your food may seem a bit tasteless, but after you get used you realize how over salted and sugared your previous diet was. Try to avoid artificial ingredients. Do you have any idea what are all these letters and numbers indicating artificial flavours and preservatives are they made of? Me neither! Do not be naive and hope that food manufacturers really care about your health and safety. Do not let the industry fool you. Just refuse to eat things with an unknown origin.

Do not eat more than you really need. There is nothing bad about leaving the rest of meal on your plate if you are already full (no matter what your mum used to tell you!).

Do not eat when you are not hungry, just to keep company or because you are bored. Remember the extra food will be discarded anyway, do not make it have a long and painful journey through your body first.

Remember that snacks are actually part of your food, not a type of leisure. Pay attention to the things you eat between your meals. Addicted to chips, candies or cookies? Try dried fruits and raw nuts instead.

Of course, if you have a history of health problems involving your digestive system do consult your physician before applying any serious changes into your diet.

Healthy eating is not a fad diet, it is a style of living. It is the only way of living longer, brighter and happier life. It is worth it!