Natural medicine, especially Tibb, takes a genuinely holistic view of food and health. The human being at the centre of the discussion is classified by their unique temperament and body type (mizaj). It also recognises that each person metabolizes food in their own specific way. Being over-weight or suffering obesity is an indication of your imbalance from this natural temperament.
Modern nutrition classifies foods by their material and chemical forms hence grouped into proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins & minerals.
Although this grouping provides us with some information in practice, apart from a few benefits, this simplistic and artificial classification is not much of use, therefore ignoring the most important factors: the human being and their individuality.
Foods are understood and classified by their quality and actions upon each person. This wisdom based tradition, with thousands of years of evidence, provides a clear framework with regard to food and human health. This knowledge, practically applied, is helpful in empowering us to become healthy and slim.
The below categories highlight general guidelines to achieve and excel optimal weight and health:
Vegetables – use these to help you to lose excess weight and to remain slim and healthy. Green leafy vegetables, such as: radish, asparagus, lettuce, celery, pumpkin, bitter melon, fenugreek. Also use cauliflower, cabbage and sprouts. Use vegetables which are in season and local, whenever possible. Avoid using potatoes and aubergines.
Grains – use these: barley, rye, buckwheat, millet, wheat. Use old varieties of wheat such as spelt and khmat. Use wheat in moderation. Eat wholemeal or brown rice, eat white rice in moderation. Avoid modern varieties of wheat.
Beans and Lentils – all beans and pulses are good, especially chick peas and brown chick peas.
Fruits – eat fruits which are in season, whenever possible. Eat fruit separately; do not mix with your meals.
Avoid banana.
Fish and meat – fish is fine, do not eat shellfish. Eggs are good too. Do not use pork or beef.
Dairy – live yogurts are excellent, in moderation. Use only warm milk with ginger, cinnamon or turmeric added to it. Milk is a meal on its own. So do not use with meals. Do not drink sour drinks (like lemon) soon after drinking milk. Avoid fish after your milk drink. Light cheese in moderation is fine, but no hard cheese.
Drinks – do not drink with your main meals. At other times sip hot water throughout the day, if possible every hour. Use Mohsin ‘Detox & Slim Tea’ after your main meals, or green tea.
Sweets – only use honey or small amounts of molasses. Nuts: – use almonds, walnuts and pistachios in moderation.
Spices and herbs – all spices and herbs are excellent. Use some every day, choose from: cumin, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, and ginger, black pepper and cardamom.
In order to understand the impact of healthy lifestyle and well-being, here are some specific rules assisting to recover of this balance:
- Eat foods that are warm and light.
- Eat foods which have pungent and bitter taste on daily basis.
- Use plenty of freshly cooked vegetables.
- Use fruits and salads on daily basis.
- Use spices everyday in your foods.
Avoid all of the following:
- White flour, white rice and white sugar products
- Fried food and fatty foods
- Fizzy and carbonated drinks
- Cold ice drinks
- Processed food, take away food and leftover stale food
- Alcohol
By Hakim M. Salim Khan, M.D. (M.A.), M.H., D.O., F.G.N.I.