The body digests, transforms food, nutrients into blood, into structure into function. Whatever food, fluids not digested, absorbed becomes waste that is sent down to the large intestines for temporary storage and eventual elimination.

The stools are made from food, nutrients and non-nutrients. There are only two kinds of nutrients: building and cleansing. Building nutrients (protein and fat) build and fuel all structure and function. Cleansing nutrients (water, sugar, minerals, etc.) reduce, cleanse, cool and moisten.

Protein and fat are thick, sticky nutrients. They hold together the stools, giving them form. Water, sugar, minerals, fruit, vegetables and grains (bread, pasta, cookies, pretzels, etc.) make the stools watery, loose and or pasty. Fruits, vegetables and grains are high in fiber. Fiber attracts, absorbs water, making the stools, fluffy, soft.

The correct combination of building and cleansing foods, drinks produces the correct amount, quantity and quality of stool. Normal, healthy stools tend to float, are formed like a banana and relatively odorless. The incorrect amounts produce loose, dry, frequent, infrequent, constipated and or smelly stools.

Too many fruits, vegetables, juices, milk, yogurt and or cold drinks, in excess, and or at the beginning of the meal, tend to dilute and weaken digestion, absorption, elimination, etc. Loose stools are a product of too many fluids in the diet, in the form of water, sugar, fruit, vegetable, etc. This is one reason why most foods are cooked, especially for children. Children are underdeveloped. They do not have sufficient energy to counter excess cold and damp, internal (diet) or external (environment, winter, air conditioning).

Spices (cardamon, coriander, cumin, cayenne, ginger, fennel, turmeric, cinnamon, etc.) are also recommended as they increase digestion, eliminate excess water, mucous and counter, kill obnoxious bacteria, fungi, etc. Cooking with spices can help overcome poor water and or contaminated vegetables. Bitter herbs also counter bacteria, viruses, etc. but are weakening to digestion and therefore contraindicated, when there is weak digestion and or loose stools, diarrhea.

The following, daily diet, meal plan, 2-3 times per day, preferably breakfast and lunch, is recommended:

1/3 Protein and fat (meat, eggs, chicken, cheese, beams, etc.)

1/3 Grain (rice, noodles, bread, etc.)

1/3 Cooked vegetables (3-5, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, onions, kale, celery, etc.); fruit (1)

Spices (cumin, coriander, fennel, etc.), tea (peppermint) and or soup

Eat from hot (building) to cold (cleansing). Eat a little fruit at the end of the meal.

Whenever you have diarrhea, eat light (vegetable broth, little spice) until it ends. If chronic, consult a doctor. Milk is difficult to digest, which is why it is often drunk alone. With other foods (cereal), it tends to cause indigestion, gas, loose stools, etc.

Sample breakfasts:

1. Vegetables omelet with toast, jelly, tea, juice.
2. Rice, chicken, 3-5 vegetables, fruit, tea.
3. Noodles, beans, 3-5 vegetables, fruit, tea.

Check with your doctor before making any changes to the way you eat.

For more information, please read Hot and Cold Health.

Author, Hot and Cold Health Acupuncture Physician (FL 1992-2002) Owner, operator Food and Thought, health food store, Hollywood, FL (1984-2001) Questioned and counseled 30,000+ "What do you eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner?" Web: http://www.hotandcoldhealth.net