The Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet

Made popular by Dr. Herbert Shelton, the natural hygiene diet is about the science of living. He and fellow practitioners had great success in restoring health. It requires discipline, but the benefits are worth it.


A thumbnail sketch of the dietary principles:

  • Eat in harmony with the natural cycles of the body:
  • 4am - 12pm: Elimination - nothing but raw fruit and fresh fruit juice should be consumed.
  • 12pm - 8pm: Digestion- all food should be eating during this period allowing enough time that digestion is complete by 8pm.
  • 8pm - 4am: Assimilation and use of nutrients.


  • Make high water content food the foundation of your diet.
  • A proper food combining diet is not necessarily vegetarian, though it is highly recommended.
  • Fresh fruit should be eaten on an empty stomach and at least 20 minutes (longer for bananas) should pass before anything else is consumed.  Fruit requires little digestion.  If consumed with other foods it begins to ferment them.
  • Concentrated carbohydrates such as pasta, bread, potato, yam or rice, should not be combined with heavy proteins such as meat, poultry or fish.  Proteins require an acidic medium for digestion while starches require an alkaline environment.  Combining the two slows down the digestive process.
  • Milk and milk products are not recommended any time but if one must have them occasionally they’re best eaten alone.  If that’s not possible wait several hours before eating anything else to give your digestion a chance to recover 😊
  • Nuts and beans contain both carbohydrates and proteins and should be eaten alone or with vegetables only.


Hygienists recommend fasting if one becomes ill to allow the body to cleanse and heal. Some practitioners suggest fasting one day each week to maintain good health.  Most prescribe an annual fast for the routine maintenance of good health.


Following these guidelines can result in abundant health and energy as it maximizes digestion while using a minimum amount of energy!


The best-selling 1985 book
Fit for Life covers all the principles in depth.


Herbert Shelton wrote extensively on the pristine lifestyle man was born to live. 

Natural Hygiene in its purest form is about right living, consuming only what the Earth provides and only in the amount needed and conducting oneself in a manner befitting the most highly evolved creature on the Planet. It encompasses every aspect of one’s life.  It’s a diet and lifestyle for the seeker.


*Revised February 2023


Jo Anne's Place Staff

We have been supporting the wellness of our communities since 1976.


Our highly trained staff are here to help. Our Product Educators have vast knowledge and experience with the products we carry in our stores - whether they take them themselves, have taken brand training, or have received feedback from customers. 


Please visit one of our stores to chat with them about we can help support you and get you feeling your best!

Store Hours
By April Allen April 22, 2025
Happy Cinco De Mayo! Whether you have Mexican roots or not, this is a great day to celebrate Mexican heritage and culture by indulging in some delicious Mexican cuisine!
By April Allen April 21, 2025
Enjoy these simple, 5-ingredient cookies that are free of animal products, grains, & refined sugar! 
By April Allen April 15, 2025
Struggling through menopause?
By Jonathan Tessier April 10, 2025
Get Ready to Have Fun This Easter This year, Easter lands on April 20th, 2025. This is because Easter always happens the first Sunday after the new Full Moon that occurs on or after the Spring Equinox. This is much later than Easter last year, which occurred on March 31st. What to do? There are many ways you can have fun this Easter, all without leaving town or planning a big trip! Easter Events Easter Window Display Scavenger Hunt When: Sat, Apr 19, 2025 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Where: Lindsay Downtown BIA Details: The Easter Bunny & Downtown Dog are hopping down Kent St. on Saturday, April 19th with ballots and sweet Easter treats! Get ready to hunt down those hidden surprises for a chance to win amazing prizes! More Information Bowmanville Easter Party When: Sunday, April 20 · 10:30 - 11:45am Where: Sanctus Church Bowmanville Details: Join us for our Bowmanville Easter Party, a special event just for kids! This event is the perfect way for kids to celebrate Easter with exciting games and activities, while learning all about the story of Easter. More Information Easter in the Park returns to Victoria Park When: Saturday April 19, 2025, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Where: Victoria Park, Lindsay Details: This free, family event will feature an Easter egg hunt, games and activities, a visit with the Easter Bunny and much more! More Information Easter Egg Hunt When: April 19th, 2025, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Where: New Life Centre, 4014 Wallace Point RD Details: Join us April 19th! Egg hunt, bouncy castle, kids activities and more More Information Easter Treats Hummingbird Chocolate
By Jonathan Tessier April 10, 2025
The skincare routine you weren't expecting
By April Allen April 9, 2025
Looking for a healthy, easy meal that the whole family will love? These Quinoa Stuffed Peppers check all the boxes! Packed with protein, bursting with flavour, and simple to prepare, this wholesome dish makes weeknight dinners a breeze—especially if you're cooking for a crowd. Whether you're feeding hungry kids or meal prepping for the week ahead, these colourful peppers are a delicious, nutrient-rich option that brings comfort and goodness to the table. Let’s dive in! Recipe makes 6 servings.
By Jonathan Tessier March 28, 2025
They say that being healthy takes hard work. While that is true, there are actually a lot of simple ways to add nutritional value to your diet. It may not seem like much, but there are certain products where all you need to do is add a couple tablespoons to a dish in order to indulge in its health benefits.
Various liquid soaps sitting on a table
By April Allen March 25, 2025
Did you know what your skin needs changes based on the seasons? As seasons, and therefore weather, changes our skin adapts to maintain balance. These adaptations can take time, and you can support them with the proper products and ingredients!
By April Allen March 24, 2025
Happy Easter! Looking to switch it up and try some new recipes this year? Here is a roundup of Easter
Kidney diagram in hands
By April Allen March 24, 2025
The kidneys are an amazing organ system! In Traditional Chinese Medicine they are considered, along with the adrenal glands, a master organ.
More Posts