The Slow Down Diet by Marc David is broken up into an 8-week program designed to teach people his philosophy on how mentality affects digestion and the importance of incorporating more vitamin S (for slow) into our daily lives.

David explains the importance of slowing down and breathing to invigorate one’s metabolism, creating an environment for optimal digestion and weight loss. This book incorporates science and psychology, focusing not just on what we eat, but how we eat.

The Slow Down Diet helps individuals understand their relationship with food and how they can let go of any negativity surrounding food and eating. The idea is to create a healthy relationship with food by making certain lifestyle choices. He emphasizes the “less is more” philosophy and teaches that nutrition is about more than just feeding the body, it’s also about feeding the soul. David emphasizes eight factors that will improve metabolism and lead to weight-loss.

Eight factors that improve metabolism:

Relaxation: slow down and breathe
Quality: eat fresh, organic, whole foods
Awareness: be present when you eat
Rhythm: eat according to your rhythms
Pleasure: enjoy your food
Thought: create a positive perception of food
Story: fill your personal story with love and energy
The Sacred: maintain spiritual well-being

Foods to include:

Vegetables
Fruits
Whole grains
Meat
Poultry
Fish
Eggs
Beans
Dairy
Nuts and seeds
Healthy oils

Foods to avoid:

Trans fat
Sugar
Refined grains
Processed foods
Cured meat

Pros:

Can be a lifestyle rather than a diet
Wide range of nutrients and flavors
Emphasizes whole foods
Considers primary food

Cons:

May not be suitable for those looking to lose weight quickly
Some may prefer a structured diet plan
Some may require more information on portion control to lose weight

Sources:

The Slow Down Diet by Marc David www.reallifespirituality.com
The Slow Down Diet www.leviticus11.com