Oprah's On a New Diet
By Vicki Salemi
In case you haven't heard, Oprah is following a new nutritional plan. Apparently
this one is different, better and, yes, spiritual. Following Kathy Freston's
Quantum Wellness: A Practical and Spiritual Guide to Health and Happiness, Oprah
recently began her journey with a 21-day cleanse. Why? She says to achieve the
highest level of health and contentment through small focused changes.
Oprah's 21-day detox avoids caffeine, sugar, alcohol, gluten and dairy and
animal products, says AOL Coach Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food
studies and public health at New York University and author of 'What to Eat?' So
what's left? Oprah's vegan diet embraces whole grains and fiber, beans and
legumes, steamed or sautéed vegetables, flax crackers, peanut butter, almonds,
blueberries and more.
People adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet for a variety of reasons. Most believe
it is healthier, more environmentally-friendly or a boon to animal rights. But
there are differences. While all vegetarians don't eat red meat, some do eat
fish or dairy.
Vegans distinguish themselves in a different way, says Nestle. All dairy, eggs,
meat and fish are taboo. While Oprah blogs about feeling like she was baptized
in "Vegan Land," and never imagined that meatless meals can be so satisfying,
it's no surprise she feels so satiated. For example, one of Oprah's "mmmmmm
good" dinners included asparagus cream soup, Portobello mushrooms, white beans
and spinach and sweet potato chips.
Oprah -- being Oprah -- has a personal chef to keep her on the right
nutritional track. But that's not essential to success. What is key is eating
enough variety and getting enough of the proper nutrients, says Carol Anne
Wasserman, board certified holistic food counselor and nutritionist. "You need
to be careful," she warns. "You could be setting yourself up for a huge binge
once the fast is over."
Instead of just being aware of what she's eating, Oprah says she is also more
conscious about where her food is coming from. In fact, she references spiritual
integrity in a blog post. "How can people say they're trying to spiritually
evolve without thinking what happens to the animals whose lives are sacrificed
in the name of gluttony?"
"The spiritual aspect in consuming fresh food from the earth, vegetables in
particular, connects you with nature," adds Stella Metsovas, a certified
nutritionist and coach in Laguna Beach, CA. "It looks like she's eating about 70
to 80 percent fresh food."
Conscious eating and exercising? Check. Visualization and spiritual practice?
All there. Having fun? Yes, ma'am. But will Oprah's new diet actually work?
"It's a whole new way to look at her dietary intake," Metsovas explains. "She's
consuming more fiber, phytochemicals and antioxidants and no processed foods or
animal products. It's a win-win situation."