Until recently the misconception that unless you consume grain you would not get adequate fiber ruled supreme. Gradually, with the realization that grains aggravate, provoke and promote inflammation, a new formula for the balanced diet has emerged, where gluten-containing grains were removed. In the new ‘balanced diet formula’ the best part if still grain, but the difference is carefully drawn between whole grains and anything white and refined such as pasta, bread, rice, potatoes. For those who worry about ‘where my fiber is coming from?” here is the latest news: fruits consist of at least twice more fiber than grains and amazingly non-starchy vegetables such as lettuce and broccoli contain as much as eight times more fiber.

One more important and negative aspect with regard to grain is that they contain very limited amounts of potassium. This is one of the few elements that you would have to get within your body through food, and not through supplements otherwise you risk the building up of potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia), which could lead to a number of disorders such as abnormal heart beat, muscle weakness, muscle paralysis, numbness, trouble in breathing and even death.

On the other hand, if the potassium is too low you are again predisposed to a number of diseases such as chronic pain, insomnia, renal insufficiency, high blood pressure, calcium kidney stones, ringing in the ears, asthma and so many others.

The new regime (food pyramid) advises exercise as the most important aspect of a balanced diet. Plant oils and whole grains are the next best things in your diet. This is the base of your meals. Next, you would find the fruits and vegetables, which should you eat in plenty. As you go up in the pyramid, the amounts of the food reduce. Nuts and legumes are the next on the chart, followed by fish, poultry and eggs. The last but one from the top would be milk and other dairy products and possibly calcium supplements. Last in the pyramid, and recommended as the least in quantity in the new food pyramid showing balanced diet, are the following items: red meat, , sweets, aerated drinks, white and refined starchy food, such as pasta, potatoes, bread, and so on. If you are fond of meat and meat products, you should rather think very seriously of adopting an ‘I eat only fish’ policy so your body could use a few days of detoxification.

Beware of the foods that would cause your pains to intensify. Some examples of such foods, which you should remember carefully, are potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, citrus, and eggplant. Instead, you should eat high fiber containing foods such as brown rice and oatmeal. Any food that contains Omega-3 fatty acids, such as olives and olive oil, walnuts, and avocado should be readily encouraged into the diet.

Other pain and inflammation stimulants are caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, chocolate, processed (smelly) cheese, anchovies, anything fermented (including red wine) – and all these should be excluded from your daily diet.