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Words Of Inspiration: Individual Eating: The Autonomic Nervous System
 


 


Creating Your Individual Eating Program Part II (Cont'd): The Autonomic Nervous System
By Laura M. Turner
Autonomic Nervous System Eating Program
 You’ve taken the quiz and found your dominance in the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Now, what to do with that information? (if you haven’t yet taken the quiz, you can do it here). Before we discuss what foods and eating patterns are appropriate for the various stages of ANS dominance, parasympathetic, sympathetic and mixed, let’s first take a look at the origin of ANS.

Where Does ANS Dominance Come From?
 There’s not much you can do about your predisposition to ANS metabolic preferences as most often ANS is genetically determined. However, there is also an emotional and nutritional component and imbalances in either category could sway you toward one eating pattern or another. Keep in mind, however, the reason for searching for your body’s own preferences: Your diet and lifestyle can improve both your body’s balance and its health.

Therefore, be aware of the most important biological indicator or what are known as the “circadian rhythms.” What are circadian rhythms? They are the 24-hour cycles in which the body’s energy levels fluctuate. Our metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats are all influenced by our daily rhythms. Therefore, our need for each bio-molecule (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) may vary slightly with the time of day. Therefore, you will need to experiment with what you already know about your own energy levels and tendencies toward a particular metabolic profile. Take time to try different foods in the lists below and observe what diet gives you optimal energy and emotional balance while minimizing food cravings.


Sympathetic Dominance

Eating Profile:

Carbohydrates: 55-60%, Fats: 10-15%, Proteins: 25-30%

Characteristics:

• Tendency toward acidic blood
• Diet type: high carbohydrate


Carbohydrate Food Choices:

  • Grains
  • Beets
  • Broccoli
  • Brussel sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Cucumbers
  • Eggplant
  • Hot peppers
  • Lettuce
  • Onions
  • Potatoes
  • Scallions
  • Squash
  • Sweet peppers
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Apples
  • Apricots
  • Berries
  • Cherries
  • Citrus
  • Grapefruits
  • Grapes
  • Lemons
  • Melons
  • Nectarines
  • Oranges
  • Pears
  • Pineapple
  • Plums
  • Tangerines
  • Tomatoes
  • Fruit juice
  • Veggie juice


Proteins Choices:

  • Nuts and seeds (20% protein)
  • Lean meats

Fats:

  • Nuts & seeds (80% fat)
  • Flaxseed oil
  • Sesame oil
  • Safflower oil

Other Foods:

  • Herbs/spices
  • Herbal teas
  • Soy milk
  • Honey
  • Maple syrup
  • Mustard
  • Catsup
  • Horseradish
  • Vinegar
  • Peppers

Foods To Avoid:

  • Sugar
  • Candy
  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Soft drinks
  • Alcohol
  • Table salt
  • White flour
  • White rice


Parasympathetic Dominance
Eating Profile:

Protein: 45-50%, Carbohydrates: 35-40%, Fat: 20-25%

Characteristics:

• Tendency toward alkaline blood
• High protein diet


Protein Food Choices:

  • Nut and Seeds (20% protein)
  • Soy protein
  • Lentils
  • Beans
  • Lean meats
  • Peanuts


Carbohydrate Food Choices:

  • All grains (wheat in moderation)
  • Cauliflower
  • Asparagus
  • Artichokes
  • Spinach
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Avocados
  • Olives

Fruits (low glycemic):

  • Apples
  • Peaches
  • Pears
  • Oranges

Juices:

  • Carrot
  • Beet
  • Vegetable
  • Minimize Fruit Juice

Fats:

  • Nuts & Seeds (80% fat)
  • Olive oil
  • Flaxseed oil
  • Pumpkin oil
  • Sesame oil
  • Sunflower oil
     

Other Foods:

  • Herbs and spices
  • Herbal teas

Foods To Avoid:

  • Sugar
  • Candy
  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Soft drinks
  • Alcohol
  • Table salt
  • Wheat
  • White potatoes
  • White rice
  • Flour
  • Dried fruits
  • Bananas
  • Grapes
  • Dates


Mixed ANS Dominance:
Formulate diet using a blend of the two profiles.


This research project is inspired by these sources:

Cousens, Gabriel, M.D. Conscious Eating. California: North Atlantic Books, 2000.
Clayton College Holistic Nutrition Workbook (2004). Birmingham, AL: Clayton College Of Natural Health, Inc.

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Laura M. Turner is a health journalist, author and net-preneur. She
hosts Beauty & Body Online: Your Home For Natural Health, Wellness
and Creative Abundance. Visit: http://www.beauty-and-body.com
Laura is the Sr. Editor of The New Body News and Wellness Letter.

 
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