A lady came to see me complaining of indigestion, general abdominal discomfort and concern that her food choices were to blame for her malaise. She was raised by her Grandparents on a Red Indian reservation in North America.and emigrated to UK when she as in her forties. Her diet changed dramatically as she believed she should include many vegetables and very little animal food despite this diet being very far from what she had been raised on. Instead of meat and fish she ate pasta and quite a bit of rice. Her choices were influenced by articles in various health magazines which championed veganism and vegetarianism.
Whilst the vegetable content of her new diet was excellent, the avoidance of a high fat, fish and meat diet clearly did not suit her. Her blood group was O which is another reason why the swing to almost total vegetarianism was unsuitable.
When I explained the connection with her diet and ethnic origin she said it made sense and was keen to give my suggestions a try. After one month I was delighted to receive a phone call from this lady who was eager to tell me how much better she felt and also how her weight had returned to normal without any effort.
I wish all my patients were quite so simple !
Whilst the vegetable content of her new diet was excellent, the avoidance of a high fat, fish and meat diet clearly did not suit her. Her blood group was O which is another reason why the swing to almost total vegetarianism was unsuitable.
When I explained the connection with her diet and ethnic origin she said it made sense and was keen to give my suggestions a try. After one month I was delighted to receive a phone call from this lady who was eager to tell me how much better she felt and also how her weight had returned to normal without any effort.
I wish all my patients were quite so simple !
