The information on Chinese medicine is useful for helping to diagnose health imbalances, especially nascent illnesses. It's smartly paired with the whole-foods program because the Chinese have attributed various health-balancing properties to foods, so you can tailor your diet to help alleviate symptoms of illness. For example, Chinese medicine dictates that someone with low energy and a pale complexion (a yin deficiency) would benefit from avoiding bitter foods and increasing "sweet" foods such as soy, black sesame seeds, parsnips, rice, and oats. (Note that the Chinese definition of sweet foods is much different from the American one!)
Pitchford says in his dedication that he hopes the reader finds "healing, awareness, and peace" from following his program. The diet is certainly acetic by American standards (no alcohol, caffeine, white flour, fried foods, or sugar, and a minimum of eggs and dairy) but the reasons he gives for avoiding these "negative energy" foods are compelling. From the adrenal damage imparted by coffee to immune dysfunction brought on by excess refined sugar, Pitchford spurs you to rethink every dietary choice and its ultimate influence on your health. Without being alarmist, he adds dietary tips for protecting yourself against the dangers of modern life, including neutralizing damage from water fluoridation (thyroid and immune-system problems may result; fluoride is a carcinogen). There's further reading on food combining, female health, heart disease, pregnancy, fasting, and weight loss. Overall, this is a wonderful book for anyone who's serious about strengthening his or her body from the inside out. --Erica Jorgensen
I have an unhealthy attachment to this book. I'll admit it.
I am continually going to this book to look up a symptom, to find food to help combat different illness, to find a delicious recipe, to find a new way to use kelp in dishes.
The book is well organized, has a beautifully detailed index, and is comprehensive. A must for every household.
Do you think I could find a Healing with Whole Foods anonymous group?
five elements
This book has a lot of great nutritional information from both Eastern and Western perspectives. There are sections for vitamins, vegetables, fruits, grains, etc. There's even info about basics like salt, water, and sweeteners and how those breakdown in terms of nutritional info. It also serves as a whole foods cookbook.