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When it comes to nutrition, there is still so much we have yet to discover. Although, nutritionally speaking, great strides have been made (especially in the last three or four decades), it can be argued that there is still much that we do not know.

For example, although we have a rough idea, we do not know with 100 per cent confidence the exact amount of daily calories each person needs to function optimally. And, although we all need fat, carbohydrate, protein and fiber (the macro-nutrients) and vitamins and minerals (the micro-nutrients), there is still much debate about the exact ratio of these needed in order to for a diet to be considered 'ideal'.

We do, however, know that the ratios vary for each of us. This is because we are all biochemically individual (no two of us are exactly the same -- we look different from each other, we have different fingerprints, blood types, likes/dislikes, etc.).

So with this in mind, and taking into account each person's individual food sensitivities/allergies, likes and dislikes, it makes sense that there will never be one perfect diet that suits us all. It doesn't matter how healthy lentils or whole grains are if you end up suffering in some way after eating them. For example, if you get bloated and feel discomfort when you eat lentils, then your body is probably trying to tell you something.

Now it could be that you have a problem with your digestive system -- you may not be digesting your food properly. If this is the case, it can certainly be ruled out (or in) by a visit to a naturopathic doctor. It may be that you are not manufacturing enough (or too much) hydrochloric acid or you may be eating too many 'enzyme-deficient' over-cooked foods, etc.

However, if you eat a whole foods diet with little to no junk foods (i.e., those dreaded 'whites'- flour, sugar, salt and oil) and a particular 'healthy' food just doesn't quite sit right with you, and you have ruled out potential physiological reasons for it, it is possible that your personal biochemistry does not need that certain food at this time. As David Rowland says "listen to your body, it can tell you what you need." I would add that -- perhaps just as important -- it can also tell you what it does not need. Doing this is key to eating healthfully and for optimum wellness.

In general, we know that all whole fruits, vegetables, grains, lean meats, legumes, lentils, etc. are considered good foods. However, if you suffer with celiac disease, eating grains that contain gluten can cause serious health problems.

True celiac disease is a relatively rare disorder, however, many more people than actually realize it are probably sensitive to gluten, causing them minor to sometimes quite severe digestive discomfort. One theory as to why this should be is that today's wheat has been so hybridized that it contains five times the amount of gluten of its ancient ancestor. Gluten contains gliadin and this is the real culprit because it is a protein that humans have a hard time breaking down -- it is the "toxic fraction of gluten."

Hence, knowing this, it makes sense that wheat may be problematic for some of us to ingest -- especially since it is the most commonly consumed grain and is abundant in so many things and many of us just plain over-do it (portion wise). Wheat gluten is in so many food products today (especially packaged foods), that it almost becomes quicker to say what it is not in. Just try reading a few random food packages and look for the word 'wheat' the next time you are in the grocery store to test this statement!

So, although we do not know for absolute certain yet what a "perfect diet" really looks like for everyone, we can figure out what is best for ourselves.

This takes time and patience, and honestly, the more you clean up your diet (eliminating the junk), the more in tune you will become with what your body is trying to tell you about what it needs.

In closing I will add that, in the past, many a sailor has died from scurvy (due to a lack of vitamin C rich foods) and more than one person has suffered the degenerative effects of Beriberi (from lack of vitamin B1 rich foods). Sadly, even today, many children in third-world countries can still suffer the tragic effects of rickets (from lack of vitamin D, magnesium and calcium rich foods). There are many other nutrient deficient disorders/diseases caused by a lack of specific macro/micro nutrients. Quite often these problems can be rectified simply by a person changing the way he/she eats. For example, by incorporating a variety of vitalizing 'whole', colourful veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, grains, legumes, etc. into their diet and conversely, by staying away from foods they know they have a sensitivity to and from all those nutrient-dead 'white' foods.

To my knowledge, there is not one single documented case of a person getting even slightly sick due to lack of refined white flour or refined white sugar.

There is no medical condition that requires a person to consume trans-fats! No person has ever died of a deficiency of refined white salt. And, if the all fast food companies closed today, not a single person's health would suffer as a consequence -- something to think about, perhaps.

n Healthy habits, written by Registered Nutritional Consultant Practitioner Jane Claxton-Oldfield of Companion to Wellness in Sackville, appears every second Thursday on Health Page. If you have a topic suggestion for a future column, please e-mail Jane at holistic@nbnet.nb.ca. Please note: nutritional information is not intended as a substitute for your medical or naturopathic doctor. For health concerns see your healthcare practitioner