Seignalet Diet: what Foods Are Forbidden ?

The Seignalet diet, named after its creator Dr. Jean Seignalet and established in 1985, has been touted as a means to prevent and treat various chronic diseases by reverting back to traditional, authentic, and low-toxicity food intake. However, the specifics of what is allowed and what isn’t can be confusing for those considering it. This article aims to shed light on the principles behind this diet and provide clarity about which foods are strictly prohibited.

The Foundations of the Seignalet Diet

Reverting back to Traditional Food Intake

At its core, the Seignalet diet emphasizes unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, eggs, nuts, and seeds. The idea is that these are more similar to what our ancestors would have eaten and therefore better suited to our bodies’ needs.

The Goal: prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases

This dietary approach was conceived with the aim of preventing and treating various chronic diseases. By eliminating certain foods from your diet, you might alleviate symptoms of chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease.

Moving forward let’s delve deeper into what constitutes the key principles of this diet.

Seignalet Dietary Principles: what Can You Eat ?

Focused on Unprocessed Foods

In line with its philosophy, the Seignalet diet promotes consumption of raw meat, eggs and fish while reducing intake of cow’s milk proteins. In addition to these staples you are also encouraged to consume soybeans and their derivatives.

Maintaining Nutritional Balance

While some may worry about nutritional deficiencies due to the restrictions imposed by this diet, it is designed to be nutritionally balanced with the inclusion of fresh fruits, vegetables, unrefined sugar and oil obtained by cold pressing.

However, what makes this diet unique is its stringent rules about modern foods.

Avoiding Modern Foods According to Seignalet

The Problem with Molecular Transformation

Dr. Seignalet believed that molecular transformations in modern foods make them toxic for our bodies, leading to inflammation and health problems. As such, his diet excludes certain food categories like animal milk and its derivatives, refined oils, beer, canned goods and ready-made meals.

One of the most significant aspects of this exclusionary list are cereals and animal milk. Let’s explore why these are singled out.

Cereals and Animal Milk Under Scrutiny in the Seignalet Diet

The Issue with Modern Cereals

Modern cereals such as wheat, barley and rye are strictly off-limits in the Seignalet dietary approach. The belief is that these grains have gone through genetic modifications over time making them incompatible with human digestion.

The Controversy Surrounding Animal Milk

The consumption of cow’s milk and its derivatives is also prohibited, due to concerns about lactose intolerance and potential inflammatory responses related to dairy consumption.

Another distinctive feature of this diet is its cooking method recommendation.

Low-Temperature Cooking Advocated by Seignalet

The Benefits of Gentle Cooking

To retain nutrients, the Seignalet diet recommends gentle cooking at temperatures below 110°C. This allows for the incorporation of heated products such as soups, fish dishes, purees and custards into the diet.

But what are the reported health benefits of following this stringent dietary method ?

Anticipated Health Benefits of the Seignalet Diet

Anecdotal Evidence on its Efficacy

While the diet may be controversial, there is anecdotal evidence suggesting that it can provide relief for individuals suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases.

However, before embarking on this dietary journey, potential risks and precautions must be taken into account.

Precautions and Potential Risks of the Seignalet Diet

The Importance of Supervision

If you’re considering this diet, it’s crucial to do so under medical supervision to ensure your nutritional needs are being met and prevent any potential adverse effects.

Wrapping up, while the Seignalet diet promises certain health benefits by returning to a more ‘ancestral’ way of eating, it comes with strict guidelines. It excludes modern foods including particular cereals and dairy products, advocates for low-temperature cooking and requires close monitoring due to its restrictive nature. As with any lifestyle change, one must weigh the pros and cons carefully before embarking on such a dietary journey.