NUKE YOUR FOOD or COOK YOUR FOOD?
Q. What is the consensus on microwaving your food? Is it really that bad?
Karen T.
A. As you may have guessed, the internet is packed full of opinions about microwave usage for home kitchens. Some useful, some factual and some utterly ridiculous. You can spend hours if not days sifting and reading through all of the material that pops up on a single Google search.
With microwave oven usage, we are using a directed beam of radiation to heat our food from the inside out. The facts do show that this radiation does slightly change the molecular structure of our cooked food. The big question is; does this molecular change affect our health? I am afraid to say that there is still no definitive answer to that question. The research I have read seems to favor whoever is providing the funding.
In my opinion, the bottom line is this; we have adapted into our everyday lives a technology that we have found so useful that we (being mankind) are willing to ignore the possible long term health ramifications. Having said that, I would avoid using your microwave oven to cook the majority of your major meat and vegetable meals. Using it to heat up conventionally (heat source stove or oven) made leftovers (as most of us do) is still the safest way to go.
AMV
*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
CHEAPEST PROTEIN?
Q. About a month ago I had gastric bypass surgery. I spent all my savings on the surgery and can now barely afford to feed myself (luckily I don’t eat much anymore). As a result of the surgery, getting the right amount of protein is always an issue. I can no longer afford all of the fancy protein powders and ready-made shakes. What are the best sources of protein for the least dollars?
William T.
A. Many health food stores now carry bulk (scoop out desired amount and pay by the lb.) protein powder. Both soy, whey and possibly other sources are available in bulk for cheaper per pound prices than packaged protein varieties. If this is still too expensive then when buying groceries go for the following 10 least expensive sources of protein:
1. Canned Tuna, 40g. protein/can.
2. Whole Eggs. 7g protein/egg.
3. Whey. 1 scoop ON whey is 24g protein/30g serving.
4. Ground Beef. 25g protein/100g. Buy 80% ground beef and rinse the fat if lean beef is too expensive. You can reduce the fat content by as much as 50%.
5. Milk. 30g protein/liter milk. If you're a skinny guy, want to gain weight fast and don't bother gaining some fat, drink 1 gallon raw milk per day. Don't worry about the saturated fat. Stay away from milk if you want to lose fat.
6. Frozen Chicken Breast. 25g protein/100g. Cook the frozen chicken breast using a George Foreman Grill. Consume the chicken breast within 2 months of freezing for optimal tenderness & taste.
7. Cottage Cheese. 12g protein/100g. Cottage cheese is more expensive in Europe than in the US. We buy Quark cheese: 10g protein per 100g, cheaper than cottage cheese and a better taste.
8. Ground Turkey. 25g protein/100g. Expensive cuts are made from turkey breast. Cheaper cuts can contain skin, which increases the fat content. Rinse the fat like for ground beef using this method.
9. Canned Mackerel. 23g protein/100g. Canned mackerel is high in omega-3, contains less mercury than canned tuna, and tastes a lot better too.
10. Calves Liver. 20g protein/100g. Low fat and nutrient dense. Contrary to what you might believe, liver is safe.
Bonus Tips. Buy generic food. Buy in bulk to get discounts. Freeze everything. Get a job if you don't have one. Increase your income if you do. Cut expenses. Yea...easy for me to say.
AMV*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
TURBINADO = SUGAR CANE!
Q. I saw you mention Turbinado as a sugar substitute in an earlier post. What is Turbinado and how do I use it?
Debbie K.
A. Turbinado is raw, minimally processed cane (from sugar cane) sugar. It looks like brown sugar (light brown in color) except the grains tend to be a bit larger. Also FYI, brown sugar is actually refined white table sugar that has been treated with molasses. Turbinado has not gone through any of these processes. Turbinado is usually great for baking because its moisture content is higher than refined white or brown sugars.
More importantly due to less refinement, Turbinado has much higher mineral and trace mineral levels than refined white or brown sugars. Make no mistake, Turbinado is still -SUGAR- but being from a more natural source our bodies (insulin levels) can usually handle it better.
Turbinado is relatively inexpensive and can usually be found on the shelves of your local health food store.
AMV
*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
DOES “SUGAR” FREE MEAN “SWEETENER” FREE?
Q. How do you feel about artificial sugars? I am a type 2 diabetic and eat only foods that are labeled sugar free. My Dr. said these would be ok. What do you think?
Susan P.
A. Remember, sugar free DOES NOT mean “sweetener” free. Most -sugar free- foods (and I use the term "foods" lightly) are manufactured foods that still have one or more artificial sweeteners included in the mix. These artificial sweeteners are chemical formulations that are designed and engineered for two purposes: 1. Mimic natural sugar 2. Turn a profit. The manufacturers of these chemical sweeteners have phenomenally succeeded in both areas. Since people around the world are ingesting these products you would think that health concerns would be paramount. Unfortunately this hasn't been the case.
Please be aware, your body’s digestive process handles these chemical sweeteners completely different than it would natural sugars. Without going into a long and complicated breakdown of the physiological differences, just know this…in the end, the artificial sugar or sweetener can become a neuro toxin with possible long term, detrimental health side effects.
Two books I would recommend reading are the following: 1. EXCITOTOXINS, The Taste That Kills, by Russell Blaylock. 2. SUGAR BLUES by William Dufty. Both books are available in most libraries and on Amazon.com for purchase. Our bodies were not designed to handle these chemical compounds for years on end. Personally, I try to avoid these products like the plague. I would rather consume a little bit of natural sugar (honey, tubinado etc.) rather than load of chemical sweetener.
AMV
*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
CHIA…SLIPPERY LITTLE NUTRITIONAL DYNAMOS!
Q. My girlfriend is making me choke down chia seeds every day. I hate these slippery little things. If I am going to eat them do you have any suggestions for how to make them more palatable?
Brandon L.
A. Chia, flax and hemp, these three seeds in particular have amazingly potent nutritional value. Check out the Chia comparison chart I’ve included in this post. Those slippery little seeds have 500% more calcium than milk, 600% more essential omega’s than salmon and 500% more protein than kidney beans just to name a few comparisons. Your girlfriend must really care about your health. You are not the victim here. You are consuming one of the most potent foods ever discovered.
Gone are the days of taking a spoon full of seeds and choking them down with a water chaser. Chia in particular can be ground and made into a variety of very tasty side dishes. See the additional poster I’ve included in this posting for some great chia ideas. These are just a few suggestion, the internet is full of great recipes for just about any seed dish you can imagine.
AMV
*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
SEA BUCKTHORN...THE LATEST & GREATEST FOR WEIGHT LOSS???
Q. A show on TV was talking about the wonders of Sea Buckthorn. What is it? On this show they were saying that it might be the next greatest thing for weight loss. True or not?
Shari T.
A. Sea Buckthorn is actually a shrub (herb) found in China and Eastern Europe. Sea Buckthorn berries are very nutrient dense. The Chinese have used it for centuries to cure practically everything. A recent (2009) Indian study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research found the active compound in Sea Buckthorn (RH-3) has potent cellular radiation “reversing” properties for cancer patients. Other research is showing that Sea Buckthorn has the potential to lower cholesterol and improve cardiac (heart) function.
Due to Sea Buckthorn’s naturally occurring EFA (essential fatty acid) content, researchers are finding out that this substance is working great for weight loss. The research indicates that the EFA’s in Sea Buckthorn may oxidize (burn off) fat that is not needed for the body’s functions, preventing it from being stored as weight gain.
Many supplement manufacturers are running with this (2011) weight loss research and adding Sea Buckthorn to their weight loss formulations. I still don’t know if Sea Buckthorn is as effective as Green Coffee Bean extract but it looks promising. You can find Sea Buckthorn in most health food stores in capsules alone or in combination in weight loss formulations.
AMV
*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
PROTEIN vs. PROTEIN...WHAT IS BEST?
Q. I have started to work out with a personal trainer. She is suggesting that I take more protein. The store has too many choices. Is one better than the other?
Kelli S.
A. The world of protein powders has become far more complex in the last 20 years. Gone are the days when soy protein was the only viable source. Quality protein sources now range from rice protein to egg white protein powder. Whats the best? It all depends on who you ask.
I found an article that Eric Ratkowski wrote about basic "quality" protein powders for making shakes. See excerpt below:
"Protein shakes are a safe way to ensure enough protein, when used as part of a balanced, nutrient-rich diet. These are the five proteins you're most likely to encounter while on your search for the perfect protein..."
Many of today's protein powders are blended with all kind of extra stuff, from antioxidants to anabolics. For now, stay basic and stay consistent.
AMV
*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
COLICKY BABY DRIVES MOM NUTS!
Q. I just spent another sleepless night with my fussy newborn. Does the health food world have anything that will help my baby sleep better? If I could just get some sleep then I know I could be a better Mom.
Karen…Sleepless (and frustrated) in Toledo!
A. Yes…go to your health food store and purchase a bottle of Natures Answer BUBBLE-B-GONE. Bubble-B-Gone is an “alcohol free” herbal formula that will provide symptomatic relief of colic in infants or gas pains in older children. Bubble B-Gone is a liquid herbal extract and is holistically balanced for Kids. Over the years I have had scores of new moms who would shoot me if we ever ran out of Bubble-B-Gone. Many would buy 3 even 6 bottles at a time.
Also the following lifestyle changes or modifications will help:
1. KEEP A CONSTANT BEDTIME. Start with a bedtime ritual 20 to 30 minutes before bedtime.
2. AVOID SINGING OR ROCKING. This seems good but some kids then need this ritual every night.
3. CREATE A SLEEP WORTHY ENVIRONMENT. Pillows, blankets, pads…whatever the child needs to relax without over stimulation.
4. GIVE CHILD SOMETHING TO TAKE COMFORT IN. Blanket, bear, soft toy, anything that is safe and the child relates to sleep time.
5. MAKE CHAMOMILE TEA. Make luke warm chamomile tea and occasionally dip the pacifier (soft end) in the tea. Moderately steeped, chamomile tea, in very small amounts is safe for infants.
You need “your” sleep. You may have to let the child fuss for him or her to get the message that they have to settle themselves down…because Mom isn't coming. All of the above works. Just be consistent.
AMV
*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
