Don`t Stop Eating These

For some reason, this time of year brings out something in alot of us that makes us point our finger at ourselves and say "You`re not good enough, change ________________." We give up _________________, stop saying _____________, promise to _______________and write up a list of all the things we need to change about ourselves. Talk about setting ourselves up for failure! I thought it`d be nice to see five foods we don`t have to give up this year. Instead of focussing on what you can`t have, focus on eating more of what you can have. Sooner or later there`ll be no room for the can`t haves and you`re not bashing yourself in the process. I`m all about kindness towards self; positive reinforcement and attitudes, not belittlement. 

Here are five foods that get a bad rap, that deserve to stay in your food choices.

Beef gets a bad rap. Everywhere you go it seems everyone is saying not to eat red meat. Ignore them. Unless of course you despise the stuff. Otherwise, eat beef. Grass-fed, grass-finished is ideal because it`s more nutritious, but if you can`t swing the extra dollars, do the best with what you`ve got. I understand why meat is on the chopping block. Heart disease rates are high, cholesterol numbers are high, the first thing doctors usually say is drastically reduce your consumption of red meat. However, there`s a study that says that including lean meats in your diet is just as effective at lowering cholesterol as the traditional 'heart healthy' diet is. Things like sirloin, flank, tenderloin, among others are considered lean. What`s not lean? T-bones and prime rib, good as they taste, are not lean meats.  

The 'jist' of the study was that they took people and put them into 2 groups. One group ate white meat and the other group ate lean beef. After the alotted timeframe, cholesterol levels were re-checked in both groups. The findings were that the group who included at least 5.4 ounces of lean, red meat in their diets were effective at lowering their LDL cholesterol numbers. Sooooo.....'where`s the beef?'

Lean Beef Cuts

Study of Lean Beef and Cholesterol

In my long quest for optimal fuel for my body I spent awhile on the vegetarian, and then raw foodist pathway. Both treated me well, and I respect each for its opinion and what it has to offer. One of the things I was taught was that you have to soak your nuts in order to break down the defense mechanism found within the nut so it can be properly digested and utilized. Well, it seems that a study done by Joseph Vinson, a PhD from the University of Scranton tested both raw and roasted nuts to see if there was any difference in their nutritional values. He found no difference. Apparently the plant antioxidant content were virtually the same in both nuts. Nuts are a great source of omega 3`s and are good sources of proteins, fats, and even calcium. Just remember that roasted nuts are typically salted, so for that reason only eat about an ounce a day (a handful).

Benefits of Nuts

Professor Vinson

There have been several short term studies by the folks at Harvard on the positive properties of cocoa. Real, unadulterated cocoa is a powerful antioxidant which has promising effects on blood pressure; it lowers it. It also improves blood flow (maybe due to the naturally occurring caffeine), cholesterol levels, and reduces insulin resistance. When choosing, try to develop a taste for the darkest possible chocolate you can handle. It has the most cocoa in it and has been 'ruined' the least in comparison with the common calorie laden, sugar abused, chocolate bar we see waiting in line at the grocery store. Experts advise amounts at about an ounce a day to reap its benefits.

Why We Need To Eat Chocolate

Health Benefits of Chocolate

Health Benefits of Eggs

Wiki on Eggs

What`s A Cup of Joe Do For Me?

How To Find Local Food

I am not currently employed by the medical profession. I am simply a wife and mother who looks for the best way to nourish my body and I constantly challenge the status quo and 'their' health advice. I believe knowledge is power and I do not care to be a sheeple and just follow. Do your research and dig deeper into your health people :)

Namaste