In other words, check the label for the words hydrogenated, or partially hydrogenated, or palm oil, or coconut oil, or any other oil which is listed as hydrogenated. Leave it on the shelf or in the case. These do not spell good health!
14. Reduce or eliminate your consumption of meats, especially red meats (ie. beef, pork, lamb). These meats are high in marbled saturated fats. Apart from the health risks associated with high fat intake, as indicated throughout the research, the fat of the animal is also where the toxic byproducts of metabolism, and the hormonal injections for faster growth, are stored.
15.Choose fish or the leaner cuts of poultry, ie. the chicken or turkey breast with the skin removed, in place of red meats. If using ground turkey meat, select the skinless boneless breast of the turkey and ask the butcher to grind it for you.
16.Game meat provides a very lean and tasty alternative to our higher fat domestic protein sources. These include rabbit, hare, muskrat, deer, moose, caribou, bear, wild goose, grouse, pheasant, turtle, frog legs, rattlesnake and eels, just to mention a few.
17. Limit your intake of animal meats to a maximum of 3 to 5 servings per week, with the focus on the leaner varieties, especially fish. Fish is generally high in a type of oil, commonly referred to as omega-3 fish oil, which appears to be beneficial in the reduction of the incidence of heart disease and various cancers.
18. Select the plain, unflavored, nonfat and lowfat versions of dairy products, such as milk, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, buttermilk and yogurt. Look for the lower fat varieties, now available, of firm cheeses. Or better still, try some of the new soy cheeses in the dairy section of the grocery store or health food store.
19. Increase your consumption of legumes as a high fiber, low fat, high calcium and iron source, of protein. Included are soybeans and soybean products, such as tempeh, tofu, miso, and soymilk. Other varieties of legumes: chickpeas (garbanzo beans), pinto beans, white and red kidney beans, Roman beans, split peas, lentils, black-eyed peas, etc.
20. Include at least 2 cups of plain, nonfat yogurt, kefir, or acidophilus milk daily for their immune-enhancing properties. Select only those brands which list the specific cultures, and list them as Live Cultures.
21. Reduce or eliminate the intake of potential toxins.
Tobacco has been associated with illnesses and diseases too numerous to list here.
Alcohol can lead to illnesses of the liver, kidneys, bladder and overall elimination systems of the body.
Pesticides on our fresh produce may have hazardous effects on our overall health and immune systems. It is advisable to wash all produce upon purchase, even if it is organically grown. Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to a basin of clean purified water, and soak produce, other than berries and leafy greens, for several minutes, and then rinse thoroughly in two sinks of clear water. Let dry on towels and then refrigerate.
Additives and preservatives added to our food sources may prove over time to have deleterious effects on our immune systems and general well-being. With the increasing consumption of packaged, processed preserved foods we are also seeing a parallel in increasing numbers of allergy sufferers, and general lethargy and restlessness among our children and adolescents. Is there a connection? Why take the risk?