Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts

Soy Can Help Prevent Cancer


Recent studies have shown that eating soy products has helped protect Asian women against certain types of cancer. Scientists at the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii and Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee conducted a study of 120 Asian women. Results produced more evidence that a long-term diet rich in soy can be linked to a reduced risk of breast cancer - as much as a 50 percent in some cases - according to research presented in Honolulu in December during the 2000 International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies. 

The soybean is used in foods and beverages, including tofu, miso, soymilk, soy coffee, butter, veggie burgers, crackers, cookies and flour. Low in cholesterol and high in isoflavones, the benefits of the soybean are many. Start adding some to your diet today. Better yet, start your babies on it early and continue as a lifelong commitment to healthy eating.

source : health-fitness-tips.com

Fuel Up With Energy Foods!



Carbohydrates are your body’s primary energy source and your brains only energy source! Skipping carbohydrates is like driving your car without gas. The formula for weight loss is very simple and not too glamorous…burn more calories than you consume. You can accomplish this in one of three ways: eat fewer calories, exercise more, or do a little of both! 

Sugar and caffeine may seem like a quick fix when your energy level flags, but what about the after crash? 

Trying to get a quick pick-me-up from a soda (even a diet one) or candy bar may give you increased energy for a short period of time, but when it wears off you can end up feeling even more tired than you were to start with. 

The following food list, adapted from The Woman's Day Guide: Fighting Fatigue, are naturally high in vitamins and minerals and will give you a more easily sustainable lift: 

1. Peanut butter
2. Yogurt
3. Banana
4. Cheese & Crackers
5. Turkey (breast) sandwich
6. Hard boiled egg
7. Chicken salad on whole wheat pita bread
8. Pasta salad
9. Baked potato with lowfat cheese topping 

Not only do you need you eat right, but you also need to eat enough of the right foods. According to Kristine Clark, Ph.D., the director of sports nutrition at Pennsylvania State University, low calorie consumption is a major cause of fatigue in women today. Those who frequently diet may not even have enough fuel to sustain their body's optimal efficiency level. 

According to Dr. Clark, in order to maintain a healthy energy level, a woman weighing 140 pounds needs to consume about 1500-1700 calories per day; add 300 more if you exercise regularly. 

Always remember the three E's; Eat right, Eat enough and Exercise!
 
Don’t drink your fruit, eat it! Fiber from whole foods fills you up, helps lower cholesterol, improves digestion and elimination, and decreases the risk of diverticulosis and other diseases.

Eat these eight foods every day to cover all your nutritional bases

By: Ben Hewitt; Photograph: Kenji Toma
Aug 22, 2007 - 4:42:57 PM

Our all-star panel of doctors, scientists, nutritionists, and chefs will tell you why and show you how.








 
Spinach
 

It may be green and leafy, but spinach is also the ultimate man food. This noted biceps builder is a rich source of plant-based omega-3s and folate, which help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. Bonus: Folate also increases blood flow to the penis. And spinach is packed with lutein, a compound that fights age-related macular degeneration. Aim for 1 cup fresh spinach or ½ cup cooked per day. SUBSTITUTES: Kale, bok choy, romaine lettuce FIT IT IN: Make your salads with spinach; add spinach to scrambled eggs; drape it over pizza; mix it with marinara sauce and then microwave for an instant dip. PINCH HITTER: Sesame Stir-Braised Kale Heat 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger, and 1 tsp. sesame oil in a skillet. Add 2 Tbsp. water and 1 bunch kale (stemmed and chopped). Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Drain. Add 1 tsp. soy sauce and 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds.


Yogurt 


Various cultures claim yogurt as their own creation, but the 2,000-year-old food’s health benefits are not disputed: Fermentation spawns hundreds of millions of probiotic organisms that serve as reinforcements to the battalions of beneficial bacteria in your body, which boost the immune system and provide protection against cancer. Not all yogurts are probiotic though, so make sure the label says “live and active cultures.” Aim for 1 cup of the calcium- and protein-rich goop a day. SUBSTITUTES: Kefir, soy yogurt FIT IT IN: Yogurt topped with blueberries, walnuts, flaxseed, and honey is the ultimate breakfast—or dessert. Plain low-fat yogurt is also a perfect base for creamy salad dressings and dips. HOME RUN: Power Smoothie Blend 1 cup low-fat yogurt, 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, 1 cup carrot juice, and 1 cup fresh baby spinach for a nutrient-rich blast.



Tomatoes

 


There are two things you need to know about tomatoes: Red are the best, because they’re packed with more of the antioxidant lycopene, and processed tomatoes are just as potent as fresh ones, because it’s easier for the body to absorb the lycopene. Studies show that a diet rich in lycopene can decrease your risk of bladder, lung, prostate, skin, and stomach cancers, as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Aim for 22 mg of lycopene a day, which is about eight red cherry tomatoes or a glass of tomato juice. SUBSTITUTES: Red watermelon, pink grapefruit, Japanese persimmon, papaya, guava FIT IT IN: Pile on the ketchup and Ragú; guzzle low-sodium V8 and gazpacho; double the amount of tomato paste called for in a recipe. PINCH HITTER: Red and Pink Fruit Bowl Chop 1 small watermelon, 2 grapefruits, 3 persimmons, 1 papaya, and 4 guavas. Garnish with mint. 


Carrots 


Most red, yellow, or orange vegetables and fruits are spiked with carotenoids—fat-soluble compounds that are associated with a reduction in a wide range of cancers, as well as reduced risk and severity of inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis—but none are as easy to prepare, or have as low a caloric density, as carrots. Aim for ½ cup a day. SUBSTITUTES: Sweet potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, yellow bell pepper, mango FIT IT IN: Raw baby carrots, sliced raw yellow pepper, butternut squash soup, baked sweet potato, pumpkin pie, mango sorbet, carrot cake PINCH HITTER: Baked Sweet Potato Fries Scrub and dry 2 sweet potatoes. Cut each into 8 slices, and then toss with olive oil and paprika. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 350°F. Turn and bake for 10 minutes more.


Blueberries

 



Host to more antioxidants than any other popular fruit, blueberries help prevent cancer, diabetes, and age-related memory changes (hence the nickname “brain berry”). Studies show that blueberries, which are rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, boost cardiovascular health. Aim for 1 cup fresh blueberries a day, or ½ cup frozen or dried. SUBSTITUTES: Açai berries, purple grapes, prunes, raisins, strawberries FIT IT IN: Blueberries maintain most of their power in dried, frozen, or jam form. PINCH HITTER: Açai, an Amazonian berry, has even more antioxidants than the blueberry. Mix 2 Tbsp. of açai powder into OJ or add 2 Tbsp. of açai pulp to cereal, yogurt, or a smoothie.


Black Beans 
 

All beans are good for your heart, but none can boost your brain power like black beans. That’s because they’re full of anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that have been shown to improve brain function. A daily ½-cup serving provides 8 grams of protein and 7.5 grams of fiber, and is low in calories and free of saturated fat. SUBSTITUTES: Peas, lentils, and pinto, kidney, fava, and lima beans FIT IT IN: Wrap black beans in a breakfast burrito; use both black beans and kidney beans in your chili; puree 1 cup black beans with ¼ cup olive oil and roasted garlic for a healthy dip; add favas, limas, or peas to pasta dishes. HOME RUN: Black Bean and Tomato Salsa Dice 4 tomatoes, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 2 jalapeños, 1 yellow bell pepper, and 1 mango. Mix in a can of black beans and garnish with ½ cup chopped cilantro and the juice of 2 limes.


Walnuts


Richer in heart-healthy omega-3s than salmon, loaded with more anti-inflammatory polyphenols than red wine, and packing half as much muscle-building protein as chicken, the walnut sounds like a Frankenfood, but it grows on trees. Other nuts combine only one or two of these features, not all three. A serving of walnuts—about 1 ounce, or seven nuts—is good anytime, but especially as a postworkout recovery snack. SUBSTITUTES: Almonds, peanuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts FIT IT IN: Sprinkle on top of salads; dice and add to pancake batter; spoon peanut butter into curries; grind and mix with olive oil to make a marinade for grilled fish or chicken. HOME RUN: Mix 1 cup walnuts with ½ cup dried blueberries and ¼ cup dark chocolate chunks.


Oats 


 
The éminence grise of health food, oats garnered the FDA’s first seal of approval. They are packed with soluble fiber, which lowers the risk of heart disease. Yes, oats are loaded with carbs, but the release of those sugars is slowed by the fiber, and because oats also have 10 grams of protein per ½-cup serving, they deliver steady muscle-building energy. SUBSTITUTES: Quinoa, flaxseed, wild rice FIT IT IN: Eat granolas and cereals that have a fiber content of at least 5 grams per serving. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed on cereals, salads, and yogurt. PINCH HITTER: Quinoa Salad Quinoa has twice the protein of most cereals, and fewer carbs. Boil 1 cup quinoa in a mixture of 1 cup pear juice and 1 cup water. Let cool. In a large bowl, toss 2 diced apples, 1 cup fresh blueberries, ½ cup chopped walnuts, and 1 cup plain fat-free yogurt.


All-Star Panel Joy Bauer, author of Joy Bauer’s Food Cures and nutrition advisor on NBC’s Today show; Laurie Erickson, award-winning wellness chef at Georgia’s Sea Island resort; David Heber, MD, PhD, author of What Color Is Your Diet? ; and Steven Pratt, MD, author of the best-selling SuperFoods Rx 


© Copyright 2007 Best Life Magazine

Dangers-of-Milk



GOT MILK?

"The Human Body has no more need for cow's milk than it does for dog's milk, horse's milk, or giraffe's milk."

 -Michael Klaper, MD, speech, 7/19/85


Overview
 
  Think about this for one second. Why do we drink milk at all? It is intended for a baby calf. Do we drink milk because there is real scientific proof that it is good for us, or is it merely the National Dairy Council, a propaganda machine dedicated to selling its product? Let's take a look. Human milk has 5% calories as protein, and human babies double their birth weight in 180 days. The percentage of protein in cow's milk is three times as high, 15%. Calves double their birth weight in only 47 days. Cow's milk has enough fat to turn a 45 pound calf into a 400 pound cow. Milk, or as John McDougall, MD, calls it, "liquid meat," is very high in protein, fat, and cholesterol, yet contains no fiber and is low in carbohydrates. Here is a brief list of the disorders caused by the unnatural consumption of cow's milk and dairy by human beings:

"Gastro-intestinal- canker sores, vomiting, colic, stomach cramps, abdominal distention, intestinal obstruction, bloody stools, colitis, mal-absorption, loss of appetite, growth retardation, diarrhea, constipation, painful defecation, irritation of tongue, lips, and mouth. 

"Respiratory- nasal stuffiness, runny nose, otidis media (inner ear trouble), sinusitis, asthma, pulmonary infiltrates.

"Skin- rashes, atopic dermatitis, eczema, seborrhea, hives

"Behavioral- irritability, restlessness, hyperactivity, headache, lethargy, fatigue, allergic-tension fatigue syndrome, muscle pain, mental depression, enuresis (bed wetting, often caused when the bladder tissues become swollen and insensitive to the feeling of fullness).

"Blood- abnormal blood clotting, IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA (dairy products are the cause of at least50% of childhood iron deficiency anemia and an unknown percentage of anemia found in adults; this condition results from bleeding of the small intestine caused by dairy proteins and is not responsive to iron therapy until milk and other dairy products are eliminated), low-serum proteins, thrombocytopenia (low platelets), and eosinophilia (allergic-related blood cells).

"Other- anaphylatic shock and death, sudden infant death syndrome (crib or cot death)."

1) J. McDougall, M.D, "The McDougall Plan," (1983): pp49-50

2) S. Bahna, Allergies to Milk, New York: Grune and Stratton, 1980

3) Buisseret, "Common Manifestations of Cow's Milk Allergy in Children," Lancet 1 (1978): 304

4)Bahna, "cow's Milk Allergy: Pathogenesis, Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Management," Adv in Pediatr 25 (1978): 1

5) D. Hill, "The Spectrum of Cow's Milk Allergy in Childhood," Acta Paediatr Scand 68 (1979): 847

6) E. Eastham, "Adverse Effects of Milk Formula Ingestion on the Gastrointestinal Tract- An Update," Gastroenterology 76 (1979): 365

7) J Gerrard, "Milk Allergy: Clinical Picture and and Familial Incidence," Canad Med Ass J. 97 (1967):780

8) R. Coombs, "The Enigma of Cot Death: Is the Modified Anaphylaxis Hypothesis an explanation for Some Cases?" Lancet 1 (1982): 1388

9) W. Parish, "Hypersensitivity to Milk and Sudden Death in Infancy," Lancet 2 (1960): 1106 

 

What About Calcium?
This will be shocking to you, because it goes against years of conditioning by advertising and Doctors who knew nothing about nutrition. Due to the high protein content of milk, there is a net loss of calcium in the body when consumed. Even studies paid for by the National Dairy Council have shown that the excessive protein in milk lowers blood calcium levels, causing the body to draw on calcium from the bones. All of the propaganda about drinking milk to prevent osteoporosis is completely inaccurate. Milk actually helps cause the condition.
"The African Bantu woman provides an excellent example of good health. Her diet is free of milk and still provides 250 to 400 mg of calcium per day from vegetable sources, which is one-half the amount consumed by Western women. Bantu women commonly have ten babies during their lifetimes and breast feed each of them for about ten months. But, even with this tremendous calcium drain and relatively low calcium intake, osteoporosis (thin, fragile bones) is essentially unknown among these women. It is interesting to note, when relatives of these same people migrate to the affluent societies and adopt rich diets, osteoporosis and diseases of the teeth become common."


1) 1) J. McDougall, M.D, "The McDougall Plan," (1983): 52
2) A. Walker, "The Influence of Numerous Pregnancies and Lactations on Bone dimensions in South African Bantu and Caucasian Mothers," Clin Science 42 (1972): 189
3) A. Walker, "Osteoporosis and Calcium Deficiency," Am J Clin Nutr 16 (1965): 327

4) R. Smith, "Epidemiological Studies of Osteoporosis in Women of Puerto Rico, and Southeastern Michigan with Special Reference to Age, Race, National Origin, and to Other Related or Associated Findings," Clin Orthrop 45 (1966): 31


 

What about Vitamin D?

"The Dairy Industry has added supplemental Vitamin D to milk, supposedly to protect people from developing rickets. Rickets is a disorder characterized by painful and deformed bones. This disease is common in places where there is limited exposure to sunlight.

"To begin with, vitamin D is actually NOT a Vitamin because the body can and does synthesize all that it needs. Vitamin D is really a hormone synthesized by the action of SUNLIGHT on plant sterols found in our skin. Our body levels of Vitamin D are only slightly affected by dietary sources such as milk fortified with Vitamin D and Vitamin pills.

"Because Vitamin D is fat-soluble, this hormone can be stored in our body fat for long periods of time. Therefore, INTERMITTENT EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT IS ADEQUATE...our minimum requirement for sunlight is small and easily met by most people in their daily activities."

1) 1) J. McDougall, M.D, "The McDougall Plan," (1983): 53

2) E. Poskitt, "Diet, Sunlight, and25 Hydroxy Vitamin D in Healthy Children and Adults," Br Med J 1 (1979):221

3) T. Stamp, "Comparison of Oral25-Hydroxycholecalciferol, Vitamin D, and Ultra Violet Light as Determinants of Circulating 25-Hydroxyvitamin D," Lancet 1 (1977): 1341

4) J. Pietrek, "Prevention of Vitamin D deficiency in Asians," Lancet 1 (1976): 1145

5) D. Lawson, "Relative Contributions of Diet and Sunlight to Vitamin D State in the Elderly," Br Med J 2 (1979): 303

6) F. Loomis, "Skin pigment Regulation of Vitamin D Biosynthesis in Man," Science 157 (1967): 501


This was just a brief review of some of the problems and myths associated with milk. I didn't even discuss the pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, antibiotics, and genetically modified growth hormones that have been linked to so many different problems in human beings. There are also a number of other disorders and diseases that milk causes.  

Hormones in Milk: 

· Pituitary hormones (PRL, GH, TSH, FSH, LH ACTH Oxytocin)

· Steroid hormones (Estradiol, Estriol, Progesterone, Testosterone, 17-Ketosteroids, Corticosterone, Vitamine D)

· Hypothalamic hormones (TRH, LHRH, Somatostatin, PRL-inhibiting factor, PRL-releasing factor, GnRH, GRH)

· Thyroid and Parathyroid hormones (T3, T4, rT3, Calcitonin, Parathormone, PTH peptide)

· gastrointestinal peptides (Vasoactive intestinal peptide, Bombesin, Cholecystokinin, Gastrin, Gastrin inhibitory peptide, Pancreatic peptide, Y peptide, Substance P and Neurotensin)

· Growth Factors (IGF's (I and II), IGF binding proteins, Nerve growth factor, Epidermal growth factor and TGF alpha, TGF beta, Growth Inhibitors MDGI and MAF, and Platelet derived growth factor

· Others... (PGE, PGF2 alpha, cAMP, cGMP, Delta sleep inducing

· peptide, Transferrin, Lactoferrin, Casomorphin and Erythropoietin...



source : organichealthandbeauty.com

Tips On…Infant Feeding – 9 to 12 Months

Finger Foods
Offer well-cooked, mashed, soft or bite sized pieces of chicken, turkey, ground beef, cottage cheese, casseroles, egg yolks, noodles, soft fruits or vegetables. Closely supervise what your infant eats.

The Cup
Offer your baby a small unbreakable cup to play with for a few days. Then put an ounce of water, formula or breast milk in the cup and help your child drink from it. Many breast-fed babies learn to take a cup quickly. Avoid letting your infant carry around a cup full of juice between meals.

Intake From 11 To 12 Months
Babies may now eat most of their foods from the table.

Feeding Tips
• Remember to offer your child small servings of food, but offer a second serving if necessary. Large servings tend to discourage children. 
• Children have high-energy needs, and they eat small amounts at meals. Children may need to eat every three to four hours. 
• Schedule consistent meal and snack times for your infant and family. 
• Avoid sweets and chips for snacks. Make more nutritious choices. 
• If your child does not like a certain food continue to offer it occasionally. A child's taste for foods may change frequently. 
• Introduce a new food along with a food the child likes.


source : Sisters of Mercy Health System

Tips On…Infant Feeding - 7 to 8 Months

Feeding Tips
• Gradually increase texture from ground or mashed foods to soft whole foods as the infant's development progresses. 
• Remember to offer your child small servings of food, but offer a second serving if necessary. Large servings tend to discourage children. 
• Do not force an infant to eat or finish all the food prepared. 
• Children have high-energy needs, and they eat small amounts at meals. Children may need to eat every three to four hours. 
• If a child does not like a certain food continue to offer it occasionally. A child's taste for foods may change frequently. 
• Introduce a new food along with a food the child likes. 
• Overfeeding with juice is extremely common. Limit the amount of fruit juices to three or four ounces per day. Only serve juice to children in a cup. 
• Do not give soda or other sweetened beverages to infants. 
• Satisfying the infant's appetite with solid food may reduce the need for nursing or a bottle at that feeding. 


source : Sisters of Mercy Health System

Tips On…Infant Feeding – 4 to 7 Months

From 4 to 7 months of age, your baby will indicate a desire for food by opening his or her mouth when he or she sees something approaching, by sitting up and by drooling. These indicate a change in eating style. Your baby is ready to progress to solid foods.

Sample Menu Of Food Intake From 4 To 7 Months:
• Four to six tablespoons dry cereal, mixed with breast milk or formula, offered two times a day 
• Four to six tablespoons of soft, fork-mashed vegetables (one-half to one jar) 
• Two to four tablespoons of soft, fork-mashed fruits (one-half jar) 
• Formula and breast milk quantities will vary between infants, depending on the growth pattern 
• Infants may drink an average of 24 to 32 ounces of formula per day 
• Breast-fed infants may nurse three to six times each day. 
Your child is receiving an adequate food and fluid intake if he or she has three to four wet diapers each day and is gaining weight.

Do Not Introduce These Foods Until Discussed With Your Child's Physician
The following foods may cause allergic reactions in some cases:
Chocolate
Citrus juice
Egg white
Fish and seafood
Honey
Peanut butter and peanut products
Strawberries
Whole milk.

Foods That Are Choking Hazards And Should Be Avoided At This Time:
Apple pieces
Grapes
Hot dogs
Nuts
Raisins
Raw carrots
Round, hard or sticky candies
Seeds.


source : Sisters of Mercy Health System