What is the best way to get calcium in a raw diet?

I received this question on my blog that I thought would be of interest to everyone so rather than just answer the question for one person, I thought I would make it a post to the blog.

Question:

What is the best way to get calcium in a raw diet? I’m at risk of osteoporosis.

My answer…

CALCIUM:

Most people believe osteoporosis is caused by a lack of calcium and by increasing the intake of calcium (including direct supplementation) osteoporosis will be avoided.  This does little to reduce the incidence of osteoporosis or to counteract the effects of a predominantly acid forming diet and lifestyle. 

The actual cause of osteoporosis is typically due to excessive calcium loss from an overly acid bloodstream.  Animal proteins, tobacco inhalation, caffeine and drugs contribute to an acid bloodstream.  The body maintains a blood pH that is slightly alkaline and when the blood is too acidic, the body brings it back to a more alkaline state by leaching calcium (an alkaline mineral) from the bones and boron from muscle. Boron helps prevent calcium loss and is found in raw fruits and vegetables, milk has Credit union location Ohio Kenton Hardin Community Federal Credit Union lettuce, spinach, dandelion greens etc), in seaweeds (e.g. Nori, Arame, Dulse) and in sesame seeds (1 oz. has 276 mg).   By eating large, green leafy salads with dressings made from Tahini (ground sesame seeds), you’ll get more than enough calcium (along with all the other elements your bones and muscles need) to satisfy the body’s need. 

Most raw fooders eat mostly fruit and vegetables and have no bone weakness.

Beth

RAW FOOD DIET – WHY ELIMINATE DAIRY

Dairy is one of the most mucus forming food we can consume – mucus is the body’s way to protect itself from unwanted toxins. 

Cow’s milk is meant to grow a 2.5 ton calf!  One of the elements in cow’s milk is casein, a major ingredient in one of the strongest wood glues on the market!  ………..and THIS is meant to make us ‘healthy’?!

The surface of the digestive tract that is designed to absorb the nutrients from the food we eat becomes covered with a mucoid plaque (film) that protects our blood from toxins that would make us severely sick if absorbed.  Our body tries to rid itself of these toxins through whatever outlet it can.  It uses Credit union location Nevada Las Vegas Nevada Federal Credit Union the nose (allergies and sneezing), the lungs (asthma and other bronchial conditions), and the skin (rashes, outbreaks, soreness) as outlets for these toxins. 

Unfortunately this same film doesn’t allow us to absorb any nutrients.   Over the years the mucoid plaque gets thicker and harder and we become under-nourished.  Do you ever question why you feel more tired as you age, and why the need for more vitamin/mineral supplementation escalates?

By eliminating dairy, numerous health conditions (e.g. asthma, allergies, rashes etc.) clear up quickly and completely. 

If we stay on a raw food diet this plaque can dissolve completely and our assimilation of nutrients, minerals and amino acids increases substantially!

Some people do not want to eliminate dairy all together and for those people who fall in this category, exchanging cow’s dairy for raw goat dairy is a healthier choice as goat’s milk is easier to digest and doesn’t have the same make-up as cows dairy – the make-up that makes us toxic.  Unpasteurized, raw goat cheddar style cheese is an excellent exchange for normal cow’s order Lasix online

BUYING ORGANIC AND BUYING LOCALLY PRODUCED FOODS

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has defined Organic food as:

“Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations.  Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.”

When purchasing ‘organic’ you are assured the farmers are using methods to protect our soil and to eliminate soil erosion through crop rotation, cover cropping (green manure), and using composted manure.  The plant food we consume is rich in nutrients and do not contain:

Conventional Pesticides – Pesticides were designed to kill living things; pesticides are toxins, toxins cause disease.  The average person consumes 10 different pesticides each day and many of these have been associated with serious health issues – EWG (Environmental Working Group).   Autism, cancer, and infertility (to name a few) have been linked to the pesticides and other chemicals found in/on our food.  Children, because of their low body weight and higher metabolism are more affected by these toxins.  Women too are more susceptible to these toxins.  Additionally, a U.S. Geological Survey found every stream and 90% of the wells sampled contained pesticides – it is estimated 98% of sprayed insecticides and 95% of sprayed herbicides enter our water system.  Eliminating pesticides where you can will have a huge impact on improving your health.

Synthetic Fertilizers – Per The Carbon Connection documentary, “Every pound of excess nitrogen applied to the soil by artificial fertilizer destroys 100 pounds of humus.”  (Humus is partially-decomposed organic matter; its own ecosystem, the ‘life force’ of soil.)  Synthetic Fertilizers gets into our waterways causing nutrient loading and oxygen depletion – harmful salts destroys beneficial earthworms and good microorganisms.  

SEWAGE SLUDGE  - A nasty mix of bacteria and virus-laden organic mater, toxic metals, synthetic organic chemicals and settled solids removed from domestic and industrial waste water (over 60,000 toxic substances and chemical compounds) usually spread over farm fields (renamed “biosolids”) as a means of disposal.

Genetically Modified - A method of ‘splicing chemical pesticides into food crops so they don’t need to be sprayed.’ They become a part of the food, and not able to be washed clean.  Six products known to be genetically modified (best to buy ‘organic’) are: corn and corn products, soy and soy products, rice, wheat, canola oil, and cottonseed oil.

Irradiation - The International Atomic Energy Agency developed a process to sterilize, pasteurize, and extend shelf life of food in the 1970’s; since it is not an additive but a process it is not regulated.  Irradiation causes formation of free radicals; it destroys vitamins, and is toxic.

By purchasing “organic” we are ensuring the life of the planet, the life of our children, and our own good health.

Recent studies have also shown that by eating ‘organic’ you consume up to 30% MORE vitamins and minerals then that of its conventional counterpart. 

Yes you pay a little more to buy organic Credit union location Michigan Southfield Construction Federal Credit Union but you are getting:

-     MORE Nutrients

-     Less Toxins

-     Reduced Health Risk

-     Better Health

-     Less Sick Time

-     Less Doctor Visits and Health Care order Lasix online

HOW IMPORTANT IS COMBINING YOUR FOOD PROPERLY?

I often get questions from my students, friends, and other researchers of healthy diets about proper food combining.  They have heard, as I am sure you have, that it is not good to miss-combine foods.

It takes longer to digest starches, fats and proteins – if you consume fruit (a fast digesting food) while you’re still digesting the heavier fats, starches and proteins, the fruit will start to ferment (fruit uses different stomach acids to digest, and your internal body temperature is typically 98.6 degrees) causing gas, putrification, and toxins which is harmful to your body, to your health.

Properly combined raw foods will ease digestive processes and create the environment for perfect:

Absorption

Assimilation

Digestion

Elimination

The proper way to combine foods is clearly charted on the Food Combination Chart I provide you free to download from my website http://www.sensationalrawfooddiet.com/food-combining-chart.html

Post it on your refrigerator for easy reference.

It is always best to consume fruits on an empty stomach and/or by themselves PRIOR to eating fats, Credit union location Massachusetts Pittsfield Mycom Federal Credit Union to slow digestion or maintain a longer balance of energy level, mixing fruit with a fat will achieve this.  Example: a trail mix of dried fruit and nuts will leave you feeling satisfied and you’ll maintain your energy level longer.  Consuming some greens with the trail mix will improve its digestibility as greens have the enzymes to help break down the fat in the nuts.

An exception to this food combining guideline is when you’re blending or juicing drinks. 

The secret to incredible energy, beauty, health and fitness is through efficient digestion and a clean colon.  When you properly combine raw foods you get efficient digestion and a clean colon……..AND……all the benefits described above!

Most people do not know the proper way to combine foods or truly WHY they should be concerned about it.  I hope you found this information helpful.

There are more tips, suggestions, articles and information on my website along with great raw food recipes (see my Recipe Membership Program).

http://www.sensationalrawrecipes.com

My mission is to help you, through my own experience, exceed your own health goals – whether it is eating 100% raw or just eating better!  I hope you’ll join me…………

 

Bon A Petite’

Beth

DISPELLING THE MYTH – THE RAW FOOD DIET IS EXPENSIVE

DISPELLING THE MYTH – THE RAW FOOD DIET IS EXPENSIVE

I was in the checkout line at the local grocery store putting the last of my produce on the conveyer belt (already piled high with my array of fruits and vegetables) when I heard the cashier tell the customer before me what her total bill came to.  It was an incredulous amount!  I glanced at the food being bagged.  In only a few sacks the cashier had bagged several large portions of meat, numerous dairy items, pop, beer, and a wide array of snacks.  Assuming this woman was from a typical family, the groceries she purchased couldn’t last her more than a week, maybe less.  I also noted several large bottles of supplements and medicine. 

The customer left and as the cashier started ringing my groceries up I waited to finish emptying my basket until there was room on the belt.  Finished, I wheeled my cart to the end of the counter where I helped a store employee fill up the numerous cloth bags I had brought for that purpose.  The amount of produce I purchase requires durable, strong bags – lots of them. I eat a LOT of fruits and vegetables on my raw food diet!

The cashier looked at all my bags and said, “Wow, all that for so small a bill!” My total bill was less than half that of the customer ahead of me! My cart was full!

Eating the raw food diet is extremely economical – I’m not buying meat, dairy, manufactured foods (did I also mention the packaging, advertising, marketing, and processing costs rolled in to these foods?)

There is no need to purchase supplements as the raw food diet is an extremely healthy and nutrient-rich one that provides a vast array of vitamins, minerals, phtyo-nutrients, antioxidants, enzymes, and natural fiber.

While 1) eating healthy foods that support the body, improve overall health, and provide higher levels of immune, kidney, liver, and digestive function; and 2) NOT eating those foods associated with most major diseases – meat, dairy, processed foods, etc the need for medication is eliminated.  What does it say about our current standard American diet when Credit union location Louisiana Rayville Richland Parish Schools Federal Credit Union prepare a raw meal, and it is healthier!

We’re all feeling the pinch of today’s economy and tightening our budgets.  Eating a wide variety of fruits and veggies, and a LOT of it, will help take the burden off your body and out of your wallet.      

 

Bon A Petite

Beth Wilke, Raw Food Chef & Teacher

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