Which is better for you to eat? Butter or margarine? If you said margarine you are wrong. Margarine was developed to fatten up turkeys, but the turkeys started to die from the margarine. Instead of discontinuing use of the product, it was relabeled and marketed to the public for human consumption as a healthy alternative to butter. Margarine is one molecule away from plastic. The food pyramid for 2018 shows that grains should be the base of our food consumption, then, fruits and vegetables, milk, meat and beans, with a tiny amount of oils.
The New Food Pyramid
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a new food pyramid, which breaks food categories into a spectrum to emphasize variety. Exercise was introduced as a component of the food pyramid, and 12 individualized intake profiles were added.
Looks confusing doesn’t it. In fact, the food pyramid is not only confusing, it is wrong. So, what are we to do? How do we know what is best for our bodies to eat?
Vegetables and fruits should be the mainstay of our diet. Healthy fats are needed to promote energy and weight maintenance. Healthy fats are: avocados, whole eggs, nuts, fatty fish, chia seeds, olive oil, and coconuts and coconut oil.
Organic meats should be eaten as much as possible over commercial meat distribution. These animals are grass feed and not feed corn and other grains that they can not digest properly.
Grains should be use sparingly and corn should be avoided because it is not digested easily by the body. The body has a harder time digesting grains and many people have allergies to grains causing digestive problems.
Avocados are among the best sources of potassium in the diet, even containing 40% more potassium than bananas, a typical high potassium food. They are an excellent source of potassium and fiber, and have been shown to have major benefits for cardiovascular health.
Whole eggs are among the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. Despite being high in fat and cholesterol, they are incredibly nutritious and healthy. Studies show that eggs do not affect cholesterol in the blood. Eggs are full of protein and help in weight reduction. The best eggs are omega-3 enriched or pastured. Don’t throw away the yolk, that’s where almost all the nutrients are found. If you can afford free range chicken eggs you are much better off.
Fatty fish includes salmon, trout, mackerel, sardines and herring. These fish are loaded with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, high quality proteins and all sorts of important nutrients. Remember that fresh wild fish are healthier than farm grown fish. Farm grown fish are feed grain pellets.
Nuts are loaded with healthy fats, protein, vitamin E and magnesium, and are among the best sources of plant-based protein. Studies show that nuts have many health benefits.
Chia seeds are very high in healthy fats, especially an omega-3 fatty acid called ALA. They are also loaded with fiber and minerals, and have numerous health benefits.
Extra virgin olive oil contains vitamins E and K, and is loaded with powerful antioxidants.
Coconuts are very high in medium-chain fatty acids, which are metabolized differently than other fats. They can reduce appetite, increase fat burning and provide numerous health benefits.
Did you notice that I left out milk products? I once worked with a pediatrician who said, “Cows milk is for cows and man is the only mammal who drinks milk after infancy and this is why humans have so many digestive problems.” He is 100% correct in his statement. Yogurt does not have the probiotic benefit that the advertising agencies would like for you to believe they do. Cancers grown on sugar and milk is good at feeding cancers.
To stay healthier and younger feeling, eat as much fresh foods as possible. When you shop for food, buy from your local farmers market when you can. At the grocery store, remember to shop around the outside edges of the store in the fresh produce sections. Stay away from the processed foods.
Beans and rice make a complete protein. Use yellow rice or wild rice in your menus. White rice has had the nutritional value stripped from it. Try salsa with your beans and rice, it’s delicious!