Creating Your Individual Eating Program Part I: The Oxidative System
By Laura M. Turner

This month, for my graduate studies in Natural Health, I've been researching the unique qualities of individuals as they pertain to diet.  I want to share this unique knowledge with you.  The premise is, everyone has a tendency toward one of three dominant psychological eating systems: oxidative, autonomic or Ayurvedic.  I believe, by taking a look at all three and choosing one or a combination of each, you can get to know more about your eating preferences and better plan your own personal eating program.  We'll review them all in this three part series: Creating Your Individual Eating Program.

For each eating system, oxidative, autonomic, Ayurvedic, you'll begin by first creating a personal a profile through a series of questions and/or descriptions.  Once you've developed a sense of your own preferences, you'll then work to develop a system of eating based on your profile. Won't you join me in improving health by taking the time to analyze your eating habits? Pay attention to the questions below then score yourself.  For your preference in the oxidative system, choose your metabolic category according to the directions at the bottom of this article.  In the next lesson, we'll take a look at each of the three metabolic profiles in the oxidative system and look at they ways you can use the information you've uncovered about yourself to create a well developed eating program that's just right for you.

Please note: This process is inspired by Dr. Norman Cousins' Conscious Eating and the research staff at Clayton College of Natural Health.  All sources are documented at the end of this article.

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Please document your answers to the following "yes" or "no" questions as they pertain to the Slow Oxidizer Profile and the Fast Oxidizer Profile. If your answer is uncertain, choose your first instinct.  When you've completed the questionnaire, review the scoring instructions below.

Slow Oxidizer Profile:

1. Do you have an aversion to fatty (fried) foods?
2. Do you have an aversion to meats?
3. Do you feel better when you decrease your intake of protein?
4. Do you feel energetic after eating grains/grainy foods?
5. Is a high carbohydrate diet a natural choice for you?
6. Can you go for more than four hours without food?
7. Do you have an aversion to sour foods (lemons)?
8. Do you become lethargic after eating a high-protein/ high fat meal?
9. Does eating red meat decrease your energy?
10. Do foods usually taste salty to you?
11. Do you feel a sense of satiety eating foods that are sweet?
12. Do you not like potatoes?
13. Does eating sweet foods or fruit restore your energy if it is low?
14. If you could have anything you want from a buffet would you leave room for desert?
15. Does a high carb meal such as a salad leave you energized?
16. Can you sustain on water or juice for several hours without headaches or extreme hunger?
17. Does drinking juice alone sustain you for a long period of time?
18. Do sugary foods give your energy for a long period of time?
19. When eating flesh food, does your energy drop afterward?
20. Does eating meat make you lethargic?
21. If you eat before bedtime do you have difficulty sleeping?
22. Do you need something sweet with a meal to feel satisfied?
23. Do you have a minimal dinner appetite?
24. Do you have a minimal lunch appetite?
25. Are you satisfied by a high carbohydrate diet?
26. Do you find yourself not concerned with eating?
27. Is it easy for you to skip meals?
28. Can you go a long time without food?
29. Do you eat just to live?
30. Do you rarely want snacks?
     

Fast Oxidizer Profile:

1. Do you crave salty foods?
2. Do you feel weak when skipping meals?
3. Do sweet foods give you a quick lift then a drop in energy?
4. Do sweet foods taste especially sweet?
5. Do you prefer sour foods?
6. Does eating grain give you a drop in energy?
7. Do you enjoy fatty or salty foods more than sweet foods?
8. Do you have difficulty fasting on juice or water?
9. Do candy or pastries give you a drop in energy?
10. Does red meat give you energy?
11. Do you like potatoes?
12. Does a high-protein meal give you energy?
13. Do fruit juices, when consumed alone, make you feel hungry?
14. Does late night eating help you sleep through the night?
15. Does late night eating help you fall asleep?  
16. Does eating sweets deplete your energy?
17. Does eating sweets make you feel out of balance energetically?
18. Do you prefer fatty foods to sweet foods?
19. Do you live to eat?
20. Do you snack often?
21. Do you feel shaky when skipping meals?
22. Does a high protein meal give you a sense of comfort and well being?
23. Do you crave meats?
24. Do you feel energetically revived after a high protein meal?
25. Do you feel satisfied after a high protein meal?
26. Do you find a high-carb meal (fruits, vegetables, sweets) unsatisfying?
27. Do you feel you need to eat snacks frequently?
28. Do you have a strong dinner appetite?
29. Do you have a strong lunch appetite?
30. Do you have a strong breakfast appetite?

Scoring:

Total your number of "yes" answers and "no" answers for each profile.  A high percentage of yes answers will determine your tendency toward either a fast or slow oxidizer's metabolism.  If you find your scores are similar for each profile, your tendency falls into the mixed oxidizer metabolic type.  In the next lesson, we'll take a look at each metabolic profile to determine an eating program for your personal metabolic type.

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.