The regularity of bowel movements is strong indicator of dietary balance. Constipation is a huge chronic problem for many. So many factors contribute to a lack of regularity. Diets with adequate fiber produce large quantities of bulky stools that usually float in the toilet, an excellent indicator of whether you are getting enough bulk in the diet.

Physical strength, endurance, and flexibility are other factors to consider in developing awareness of the relationship between the food you eat and the foods you need. While it is difficult to quantify the changes in strength level that happen as a result of eating different foods, most people notice that some foods make them feel heavy, bloated, bogged down, or sleepy, while others induce a feeling of lightness. Eating for lightness is an excellent criterion to use in changing your dietary patterns for the promotion of high-level wellness. Christina sums up her approach to nutrition by saying, I eat what makes me feel light and what makes me feel strong."

The list of signs and clues goes on and on. They include mood swings; frequency of colds, flu, and other contagious diseases; and difficulty in sleeping. By now, you are probably getting a clearer picture of what it means to be your own food expert. Sure, go on reading and learning what others have to share, but balance this with quiet reflection in which you courageously face the question: "How do I feel?" In addition, you may wish to set up experiments with certain foods or ways of eating. Allow enough time in each experiment to really experience the effects. Add a food or abstain from a food for awhile and keep a nutritional journal, recording each day what you have done and how you feel. Above all, as your own food awareness grows, resist the temptation to criticize other people's diets. Redirect this energy as loving acceptance of your fellow beings, and offer a hug instead of a lecture.

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