Health Notes #2
The "Chomp and Swallow" Epidemic
A serious new epidemic is claiming thousands of American lives. It is a
crisis more life-threatening than nuclear war. Are YOU at
risk?
What caused this epidemic?
The American diet has changed dramatically in the past one hundred year. We
have gone from potatoes to potato chips, from fresh produce to packaged foods,
from pure water to soda pop, fruit drinks and beer. This has affected our health
in many ways because it has decreased the fiber content of our food.
Decreased fiber in the diet is one of the key factors in all degenerative
diseases as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, bowel cancer and
other cancers. Refined foods, artificial non-foods and animal products have
replaced the once-common fruits, cereals, whole grain breads, dried peas and
beans and vegetables.
Why the change? Fiber-filled foods slow us down because they take longer to
chew and we live in such a fast-pace, grab-it, eat-it-quick type of environment
now that if it doesn't slide down in a hurry and come ready prepared we don't
want it.
Check yourself out on these questions. Do you have lots of indigestion,
heartburn, gas? Do you take time to chew your food? Are you eating until you
burst? Are you eating between meals, not just junk-food but good stuff too?
(We'll talk about that in a later paper.) Are you over-weight? Are you
constipated?
A high-fiber low-fat diet has been successful in treating and controlling
diabetes in patients requiring less than 20 units of insulin. Obesity is
basically a result of not eating sufficient fiber.
Increase the fiber in your diet, and eat your foods as simply prepared and as
close to the natural state as possible and you will get all the abundance of
fiber that you need.
Why not restore fiber to your diet naturally and enjoy the health that
comes with it!
Did you know ..?
The 10 Most Nutritious Vegetables Are ...
- 1 Broccoli
- 2 Spinach
- 3 Brussel Sprouts
- 4 Lima beans
- 5 Peas
- 6 Asparagus
- 7 Artichokes
- 8 Cauliflower
- 9 Sweet Potatoes
- 10 Carrots
The top 10 Vegetables in popularity are:
Potatoes, Iceberg Lettuce, Tomatoes, Onions, Carrots, Celery, Sweet Corn,
Broccoli, Green Cabbage and Cucumbers.
The top 10 Fruits in popularity are:
Banana, Apple, Watermelon, Orange, Cantaloupe, Grape, Grapefruit, Strawberry,
Peach and Pear.
High Fiber Recipes
- 2¼ c. rolled oats
- 1/3 c. walnuts
- 2¼ c. bran (not cereal)
- 1½ t. salt
- 2T honey or 2/3 c. dates
- 1/3 c raisins
Mix well then add:
- 3 c. shredded apple and ½ c. water
Mound this mixture into muffin cups as they will not rise. Bake at 350o F
for 30-40 minutes.
- 4 c. water
- ¼ t. salt
- 1½ c. mixed grains (oats, wheat bran, cracked wheat, corn meal, oat bran,
millet, wheat; whatever you like. You can buy a 7 or 5 grain cereal already
mixed in some stores.)
Stovetop method: Bring water and salt to a boil. Mix cereals; add to
boiling water. Stir until water boils again, then reduce heat and place over a
double boiler for at least 2 hours.
Crockpot method: Using 4½ cups water add the rest of the ingredients
directly into the crockpot. Start this just before going to bed. Leave it on low
all night. In the morning add about ¾ c. chopped, dried fruit, then let the
fruit soften in the cereal while you set the table and get some raw fruit ready.
You now have a simple high-fiber breakfast waiting for you.
  
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