I'm so excited for today's episode because Donnie DeSanti is going to teach us how to use whole foods diet to heal, get off drugs and ADHD, IHS, high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic adrenal disease as well as other illnesses.
DeSanti was a nightmare child with lots of energy, and he was diagnosed with ADHD around 4th grade.
He was put on a daily dosage of Ritalin, and doctors told DeSanti that he had a chemical imbalance and hence, had a learning disability.
At first, it seemed the Ritalin was working. DeSanti's behavior improved, he was getting better grades, and he calmed down. But inside, DeSanti felt embarrassed and broken.
In high school, DeSanti discovered the power of food. Inspired by a woman who reversed her cancer illness through a change in her diet and lifestyle, DeSanti was confident that if he changed his diet, he too could live medication free.
Through trial and error and constant research and support, DeSanti has been medication free since 1993. Since then, he wanted to help people who are in a similar situation.
DeSanti just had a conversation with a client recently, someone who he has been working with for three months now. She had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a bunch of stomach issues, and her doctor wanted to prescribe medications.
That client told the doctor to give her a couple of months to try it on her own. She reached out to DeSanti, and they have been working together. After a few months, her numbers all plummeted.
DeSanti's client lost ten pounds by cleaning her diet, she got off some medications for stomach issues, and her doctor was baffled. DeSanti apparently saved her from a lifetime of drugs.
"Health conditions are not necessarily because of aging. We should be asking underlying questions to figure out the cause," said DeSanti. "Then we look at what we are eating, check the stress in our lives and our sleeping habits. And then at the end of all that, figure out if medicine can fit into our healing."
DeSanti says the average cooking time is around 20 minutes. And putting together a whole foods diet is a lot faster, so there is no reason to say we don't have a chance to fix our diet. You don't need a lot of time to make significant changes.
"Little steps that you do can add up to formulating new habits. To start off, find one healthy thing that you could do and start from there. You will be surprised how that creates momentum," DeSanti said.
If we start to give the body what it needs, eventually our craving for sugar will diminish. Changing a diet is a gradual thing.
"A whole food diet means you're eating real food. The name of the game is to eat as much food as you can that has come as close to the earth as possible," explains DeSanti.
What I like about this diet is how I can show off to my friends on how good whole foods meals taste. More often than not, my friends find it hard to believe that the dishes I serve are made from whole foods because it is tasty.
DeSanti says you don't have to be a five-star chef to make a whole foods diet taste great. It's just about using real foods and flavoring up with a couple of spices.
He also says that steamed vegetables are boring and there are a lot of ways on how to cook. Get some spices. Soups and stews are great and filling dishes. Don't be afraid to try things. The more you try, the better you will be.
DeSanti suggests that breakfast can be organic eggs with veggies or a side of avocado and oatmeal. Add berries and spices or coconut flakes. For lunch, you can get a piece of meat or side veggies and fresh greens with olive oil, lemon juice or vinegar.
Dinner may be fish or a piece of meat with assorted vegetables. You may add some carbs and starch like potatoes. Snack could be some fruits, nuts, shakes or smoothies.
"Most people think they will be starving or missing out on favorite foods. You must explore your options for healthier substitutes. People save money on a whole foods diet," said DeSanti.
When I moved out of my parents' house and settled in the United States, I tried a lot of fried foods. That tasted good to me that time. But years later when I cleaned out my diet, those unhealthy foods like fast food products didn't appeal to me anymore.
Our bodies are tricked into being addicted to sugar and processed foods, but once your taste buds are used to whole foods, eating vegetables would seem tastier than eating sugary foods like chocolate.
"Eating unhealthy foods also gives out false energy. Vibrant food equals vibrant health, unlike the unhealthy foods, those are 'dead food.'" explains DeSanti. "Once you are healthy, the body is like a well-oiled machinery. You will genuinely feel good, and energy will be nice and steady."
DeSanti affirms that everyone can benefit from a whole foods diet. He has worked with people with varied health issues and even cancer. These illnesses are food-related. Hence, he says it's a big sign that we should be looking what is on our plate.
DeSanti enumerates the following recommendations to help boost our health apart from a whole foods diet:
Start your day with an inner bath
• Start the day with a warm cup of water with half of a lemon. Our bodies are most dehydrated and most acidic in the morning, and the lemon helps flush out the acidity and toxins while re-hydrating the body.
Kick up sleep game
• When it comes to a good night sleep, we should follow the flow of nature by dimming down all the synthetic lights in our life once the sun has set. Studies show the most reparative hours of sleep occur in the beginning hours of the night between 9-11 pm.
Change your mindset
• A healthier, more fulfilling life starts with the thoughts we have about ourselves. Stress is the silent killer inside our bodies, and the adverse effects are often overlooked. Change your mind, and you can change your world. Start to be a guardian of what goes through your mind.
Donnie DeSanti is a health & wellness coach teaching people to lose weight and regain their energy naturally so they never diet again ever.
Before coaching, he battled ADHD and medication before making changes in his diet and lifestyle. He has successfully been medication free for over 20 years.
He also witnessed his mother go through a similar struggle clearing her breast cancer through holistic methods. She is now cancer free for 19 years. It has become his passion for helping others rescue back their health and enjoy life to their fullest potential.
Sleep Smarter by Shawn Stevenson
The Ultra Mind Solution by Dr. Mark Hyman
DETAILED SHOW NOTES COMING SOON!
www.donniedesanti.com
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