“A little goes a long way.”
–Anonymous

MANILA, Philippines—There is a belief that if you eat less, you will live longer.

In the 15th century, when the average life expectancy was 35, Luigi Cornaro decided to challenge the statistics. A nobleman from Venice, Italy, he used to binge on food and alcohol. Then at age 35, he changed his lifestyle by eating oil-free, uncooked meals; being frugal in his food intake; and subsisting on fruits and vegetables.

Cornaro lived to 103! To his last day, he remained alert, active and creative. This gives credence to the ancient Greek and Roman belief that a frugal diet is the key to longevity.

Diet tips

Since everyone is on a diet of some kind, here are a few tips:

No-carbohydrate plan
High-protein regimen
Veggie juice cleansing
Sugar-free diet
Seafood-free food
Meatless meals

Whether you choose one diet over the other, there are two rules:

Junk the defeatist attitude of “I tried them all and nothing works” or “I can’t give up the taste of a juicy burger or a strawberry sundae.”

Once you get used to the natural flavors and nuances of herbs, spices and natural seasoning, you won’t look for anything else.

The lighter the meal, the less burden on your digestive system. If your diet is high on fat, red meat and sugar, sooner or later you will be a candidate for heart attack, liver problems or diabetes.

Besides, eating less means fewer calories. The only food groups you should not cut back on are vegetables and low-sugar fruits. Plus, an adequate water consumption will guarantee a trimmer waistline. This light and easy lifestyle eating plan is called the Law of Nutritional Frugality. You hold back not on nutrition but on quantity of your intake.

The benefits also include:

A more energetic body
A less fatigue-prone constitution
Proper sugar and cholesterol management
Disease preventive
Increased self-esteem and confidence

It doesn’t hurt to try the following:

1. Drop the habit of eating heavy dinner. Try soup, salad and fish. Skip dessert. But if you must have something sweet, take only 1-3 tablespoons.
2. Take high-fiber supplement 30 minutes before mealtime.
3. Snack on healthy food like coconut, bananas, apple, nuts, vegetable sticks, etc.

Affirm this take-charge invocation: “I am what I wish to be.”

Love and light!

Reference: “The 22 Non-Negotiable Laws of Wellness” by Greg Anderson