The hippie movement of the 1960s and 1970s was innovative in many ways and left marks with regard to lifestyle, fashion and also food. That's right: the diet of supporters of this movement was used as a form of protest against the repressive values ​​of the time and became known as Naturalist.
“Naturalistic Nutrition prioritizes the consumption of fruits, vegetables, cereals in their integral form, legumes and seeds, and these foods need to be organically grown”, explains Priscila Teles, nutritionist and master in Cell Biology. “It is believed that the smaller the manipulation of food, the more benefits it will bring to the body”, adds the nutritionist.
Therefore, the main characteristic of this type of diet is closely linked to the quality of what is consumed and, therefore, to Organic Nutrition (learn more here). “Naturalistic Nutrition uses the organic principle in its concept. There is no natural food without organic food, that is, free from pesticides, pesticides and chemical contaminants during production and storage”, says Priscila.
Restrictions
Based on the basic principle of organic foods, in a Naturalist Food, the consumption of foods of plant origin that have been grown in the traditional way, with the use of pesticides and chemical contaminants, is prohibited. Cereals in refined form – such as white rice, refined sugar, white wheat flour – are also excluded from the diet, and these should be used in their whole form.
Industrialized foods that use chemical conservation, in addition to artificial dyes and flavorings, in addition to irradiated foods and animal products that use hormones and/or synthetic antibiotics in their creation process are also out.
Some naturalists admit the ingestion of foods of animal origin, as long as the entire creation process is done without the use of hormones and any type of chemical product. "This is not a restrictive diet, the intention is that the qualitative aspect of the food is prioritized", emphasizes the nutritionist.
Benefits
Chronic poisoning by chemical contaminants present in food can cause various types of health problems, such as infertility, impotence, miscarriages, malformations, neurotoxicity, hormonal dysregulation, effects on the immune system and cancer. Therefore, an organic diet helps to prevent these problems.
By prioritizing cereals in their integral form, it is possible to have several benefits, such as the presence of antioxidants, which fight free radicals, thus preventing diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular problems, for example. “Furthermore, whole grain cereals are rich in fiber, which helps control hunger, as they promote a greater feeling of satiety, help regulate the intestines, help control blood glucose and cholesterol”, exemplifies Priscila Teles.
how to become a naturalist
"Always maintain balance when eating, consuming adequate portions of all food groups." This is the main recommendation of nutritionist Priscila.
Check out other tips:
* If your lifestyle doesn't give you the pleasure of growing and hunting your own meal, pay attention at the time of purchase, if the food has the organic certification seal according to Spanish legislation, which guarantees the consumer to take it home. a product free of chemical contaminants, also ensuring the quality of the natural environment, nutritional and biological quality of the food, as well as the quality of life for those who live in the countryside and in cities;
* Consume cereals in their whole form;
* Regarding salt and sugar, give preference to raw products, which have not gone through the refining process.
