The Food Pyramid!

We are told to eat whole grains not whole wheat. The better choice might be white bread. Hardly! Reminders to eat leafy greens, berries and whole fruit for maximum nutrition still hold true, I believe. Yuck to iceberg lettuce, I imagine, too. But tomatoes, those high in lycopene 'fruits', are now suspect. Remove their seeds and peel the skin, says this cardiologist /inventor/surgeon. Lectins are hiding in there. I doubt I will. It might happen.

The cardiologist/author of the Plant Paradox who says no to some fruits and vegetables we've come to love and enjoy is not concerned about gluten, however. Moderation is the name of the game somewhere in all of this. It is our gut that needs attention. The Eat Wheat guy says a similar thing. Healing our digestive tract is the name of his nutrition game. Makes sense to me. We've fallen in love with fast food, deli take-out, instant mixes and ready made and now are paying the price.

Look to NON-GMO or organic in our diet. Toxins are present, everywhere. The wheat belly doctor/author we all know about says gluten is our problem. But not so much says the Plant Paradox guy. Gluten is not the enemy. Years of eating processed food, drinks and sugars, under different given names, have put us here. After all, the gut microbiome is king! We all need to listen.

Excessive amounts of processed foods entered our lives decades ago and for some, at a very early age. Babies and toddlers' taste for foods are influenced by mommy's directive from the very beginning. The french fry is a great distraction for teaching baby something, whatever that is. Is it necessary? Stages of development require certain foods to be introduced in a certain way. Teeth need to be present while a respect for baby's immature digestive system and future health and the prevention of allergies, should be considered, too.

It is easy to let 'others' assume the role of our daily food director. And that is exactly what happens when we visit the dining out/fast food emporium, often, for a meal time break. Bringing a newly minted child there is allowing the intrusion of ingredients into a brand new body. What does the future hold for these brand new early humans? We are told to eat raw yet some foods are better assimilated when they are gently steamed, not interfering with thyroid function. That's me! (Broccoli and cauliflower come to mind). 

Celery has not been picked on yet with its juice, a detoxifying cleansing potion-in-waiting. Our dogs get celery sticks and carrot,too. I love these oft-ignored add-ins with my homemade sandwiches. Oh, yum.The ketone diet is high in fat with restricted protein making the food bill higher. It's a good bet for health we are told. The Eat Fat, Get Thin functional medicine doctor agrees. Stay away from grains, again. Yet we are told to eat whole grains, oatmeal for breakfast. I did, as a girl. So did our sons. White bread is better? I don't think so. Some say yes. Others say no. Organic is the way, too. What about farmer's market? Are they all the same? Probably not. Then there's grass fed beef, the better choice.

In every winning short cut to a glamorous body, we are told virtually the same thing: stay away from carbs (sugar), processed food while drinking water. Now grains. But when those tricks stall our weight loss, we look to another truth. All diet truths are basically the same. Eat a variety of simple ingredients meals using organic, NON-GMO in portion controlled amounts. Eat a bit of protein. Maybe go meatless a few times a week. Better for us and the animals, too.

Eating at home dials down hunger. Dining out does not. There are 'triggers' lying in wait. Where we eat is as important as what we eat. Carbs are still the enemy in many ways but if budgetary shortfalls exist then suitable carbs are a way of feeding many. Choose wisely. Whole grain, gluten-free, NON-GMO are out there. Bulk Barn can help. Whole grains are healthy. Yet we are told by the doctors to stay away from them. I will not! A grain called buckwheat kasha built the body of a 13-week premature baby which now houses a healthy strong man - 39 years later. Which truth should I embrace?...to be continued.