This section will not address the complex topic of vitamins and supplements, but rather will focus upon the nutritional value of one’s everyday diet.

There is a lot of truth to the old adage "you are what you eat," as everything we take into our body alters our metabolism and, in effect, becomes a part of us as the components are broken down and assimilated. Some people recommend that one take handfuls of vitamin supplements each day, but realistically, all one really needs is a single top-quality multi-vitamin tablet (however, not the kind you’d find in the supermarket). Many nutritionists strongly advise against red meat, refined sugar, caffeine, bleached flour, salt, cholesterol, and commercial dairy products. Most people, however, are unwilling to totally give up the foods they enjoy to safeguard their health, so they disregard all nutritional counseling.

It is unrealistic to expect people to give up steak, cheese, ice cream, coffee, and beer. However, since it has been established that these things are unhealthy foods, they should only be eaten in moderation. If you are going to eat meat, it is advised that you purchase the best quality product available and eat it only occasionally, than to purchase low grade meats (like chuck steak), grinds, and processed meat products to be eaten at every meal. If you are going to drink beer, it is better to purchase a sixer of a premium microbrewed product which can be savored rather than a case of cheap rotgut, which may be cheaper. If you require a cup of coffee now and then, it is far better to use a half-pound bag of freshly ground organic beans than to instead dip into the five pound bucket of whatever was on sale at the supermarket . . . cheap coffee not only tastes nasty, but it assails your guts and quickly dehydrates you. Raw turbinado sugar, dehydrated cane juice, and honey are all far healthier than the processed, bleached, and refined "white sugar" found at most tables. It is not necessary to make sacrifices, but simply to eat better quality food.

The only dietary restrictions I endorse are the total elimination of artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, and canola oil from your diet — all of which have been proven to have varying levels of toxicity. Many weightlifting supplements (particularly massive amounts of protein) can inflict serious damage to one’s liver and kidneys. I also advise people to avoid microwaving their food for a number of reasons, although this is regularly done at the vast majority of restaurants. It is necessary to get into the habit of reading ingredient labels and avoiding patronizing "fast food" restaurants, diners, and pushcarts . . . the more one learns about the deplorable number of health code violations commonly encountered in the food service industry, the more inclined one becomes to prepare one’s own meals.

One can take a few simple steps to have a reasonable assurance of being strong, flexible, and well; or one can instead choose to be indolent and slothful, jeopardizing one’s vitality. Your health is important and must be safeguarded if it is to be maintained. If you allow your body to become corrupted by toxins, disease, and degeneracy, you will be little better than the sheep that surround you. Don’t allow your earthly form to decay prematurely. If illness can be avoided through reading ingredient labels and adhering to a few simple restrictions in diet and behavior, it is strongly advised that one take precautions rather than act in a lackadaisical manner.

Basically, what I am trying to convey through this partial listing is that if you are going to insist upon eating things that are "bad for you," you should at least do it right. If cost is prohibitive, that will ensure that you only indulge moderately (as you should).

Life is far too short to stuff your face with garbage that doesn’t even taste good. Eating food you don’t enjoy becomes a mechanical process, and can easily develop into a habit (or even mutate into a compulsion) if you’re unaware of it. You never know when your number will be called, so make an effort to enjoy every moment of each day (just don’t degenerate into a jaded hedonist). There is no harm in enjoying things which are "bad for you" in moderation. "Fat-free" and "sugarless" diet foods are far more harmful than the foods they presume to replace — and they taste nasty too! Life is short . . . enjoy your food.