The answer is illusive. So much of food science we still don't understand. Every year there is new research and then a few years later a study will come out proving it wrong. So much of what I learned in college in my nutrition classes has now been proven wrong. In college, we learned that trans fats were simply fats with an extra hydrogen atom pumped in. We had no idea that these fats were damaging. We also learned that Coconut oil was saturated and unhealthy. It has now been proven to be one of the healthiest for us.
The food pyramid has been re-written and everyone has their own version. I have been reading a few books lately including:
The Thrive Diet (vegan/super athletic/restrictive calorie)
The Yeast Diet (sugar/fermented food etc. free)
Pericone's ageless face/ageless mind (antioxidant/anti-inflammatory)
The authors of these books are passionate about their diets. They are convincing in their presentation of science/results. There are aspects of these books that are highly questionable in the medical community. That does not mean that they are wrong or right, it simply means that they are unproven either way.
In the effort to grow and learn it is important to constantly question our knowledge and our "knowns". It is also very important to realize that every person is different. Their DNA and physical/mental traits are uniquely their own. That being said, we are all the same species and there are some commonalities we share. In the effort to educate , I am going to attempt to pass on the salient points that I have taken from these three books/theories.
Although each book has it's own regimen and sometimes they are in conflict, there are some points in which they all agree. For me, these are the points that seem most important and valuable to most of us.
There seem to be 3 major issues dealt with here:
1) Our bodies react to food. Food can change our PH balance and can cause inflammation and create an environment for yeast to grow and for our natural digestive flora to be thrown off.
2) Food contains anti-oxidants and flavanoids/natural chemicals that can have a very positive and healing effect on our bodies.
3) The average American Diet has been invaded by genetically altered very unhealthy food.
Tackling these issues will take me more than one blog entry. I am using myself and Kurt as test studies, taking to Sharon Richter, my very good friend and nutritionist and various other health professionals to attempt to take the "good" out of these theories and present them in a way that is helpful and authentic.
So far there are some things I have learned (or relearned) that are worth sharing:
1) Nobody can argue that fresh fruits and vegetables are the best things we can eat. If we do not process or overcook them, all the better. Many veggies are best for us raw. Veggies can and should be worked into all of our meals. The more variety the better and there is no such thing as "too much".
2) The concept of "fat free" is wrong and unhealthy. Vitamin A,D, E and K are fat soluble vitamins. We need fat in our diet. Essential fat is called essential for a reason. We need to eat healthy fats and get the rest out of our diets as much as we can. Healthy fats (I will get into this in more depth later but this is the point I find most exciting) not only are good for our hearts and brains, they can actually HELP us lose weight.
3) Sugar is horrible for us. Horrible. Nobody needs it in their diet. It is so addictive and (I know I LOVE sweets too !!) in is in way too much of our foods. Sugar is hidden in our food to make us eat more and buy more and traps us in a cycle of cravings and guilt.
Story von Holzhausen
No comments:
Post a Comment