Bragg Diet

Paul Bragg was a physical therapist and nutritionist who believed in the healing power of exercise, fresh foods, fasting and exercise. The Bragg diet was developed because the author felt that all physical illness was the result of accumulated toxins and wastes built up over years of eating unhealthy foods. Jack LaLanne, now in his nineties, also follows a fresh food diet although he routinely eats fish as well.

Organic Foods

• Organic foods, such as raw garden salads, vegetables, fruits, sprouts, seeds, nuts, whole grain breads and pastas, cereals and beans make up 60-70 percent of the Bragg diet. No cholesterol, salt, fat, refined or processed foods are allowed. Bragg felt breakfast was an "energy stealing" meal and suggested either skipping it or only eating fresh fruit or whole wheat bread. The Bragg diet includes a tonic of apple cider vinegar and honey every morning.

Fasting

• Bragg advocated fasting on each Monday and the first three days of every month. The only thing allowed during fasts is water, which must be pure with no additives.

Excercise

• Exercise is recommended every day, including activities that promote good posture. The body must not be overworked, as this leads to stress which is a cause of unhealthiness. All muscles in the body should be exercised.

Other Recommendations

• The Bragg diet calls for "gentle" amounts of sunshine and eight hours sleep every night. In addition, deep breathing exercises are recommended.

A Note about Apple Cider Vinegar

• In a 2004 study about common dietary supplements, researchers at Harvard Medical School, Robert B. Saper, M.D., David M. Eisenberg, M.D., and Russell S. Phillips, M.D. found that people spent 1.3 billion dollars in one year (2001) on supplements to help them control weight. The doctors point out that there have been no randomized clinical studies of apple cider vinegar for dieting or its effectiveness for weight loss.