BROWN VS. WHITE

No, this isn’t a post about racial tensions! It’s not a court case either!

I wanted to weigh in on the subject of food processing regarding brown vs. white.

Take rice for example. Rice goes through a variety of processes before it gets to your table. After harvesting, a machine removes the outer husks. When this is done you're left with brown rice. Simple, huh?

To create white rice, there's an added step. The inner husk is removed and the grain is polished. This second removal process is what makes the rice white. Unfortunately, it comes at a price: a nutritional loss. The difference in minerals, vitamins and fiber is significant. Plain white rice has far less Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron and over a dozen other nutrients. Added to that, the dietary fiber contained in white rice is around a quarter of brown rice.

Surprisingly, this “brown is better than white” pattern does not seem to extend to sugar or eggs. (I can give you more on this if you ask) But generally, in regards to your health, brown is beautiful.

Did you know ...

Most of us are aware that February is Black History Month. But you might not know that the American Heart Association has chosen February as "National Heart Month."

Heart disease has been called America's #1 killer. The Heart Association says that 90% of all heart attacks are preventable. Ninety percent! Test you heart IQ at the American Heart Association link on the right.

Eating Right For Your Blood Type

Of the staggering number of diets and eating regimens available there is one that has made a world of difference in my overall health and energy level. It's based on the concept that for each different blood type there are foods which act as fuel, foods which help to keep you healthy, and foods which have a negative impact on your body and its functions. This information is addressed in the book "Eat Right 4 Your Type" by Peter D'Adamo, MD.

Have you ever noticed that some people can eat a variety of foods with no problems, while others suffer from gas, bloating, indigestion and heartburn? My husband can eat anything he wants with seemingly no adverse reactions while I on the other hand cannot.

Recent scientific research shows evidence that individual blood types can determine your predisposition toward certain health problems. The reason is that people with different blood types cannot digest the same foods equally.

Those in the health profession who question Dr. D'Adamo's approach usually site the lack of published research on the subject:

“It may well turn out that there are important interactions with between certain foods and one's blood type. D'Adamo, unfortunately, offers little in the way of scientific evidence.”

Edward Blonz, Ph.D

"I know of no plausible rationale behind the diet." John Foreyt, PhD

"Within the diet itself are generally good diet recommendations. D'Adamo doesn't say avoid vegetables and fruit, for example -- but his specific recommendations based on blood type -- the science is not there to support it. I'm not aware that anyone has duplicated his research." David W. Grotto, RD, LD, a spokesman for the American Dietetic Association

Pictured above are the books which deal with the individual blood types. Following the reccomendations in Dr. D'Adamo's books have helped both my husband and I tremendously. You may want to check them out for yourself. Blessings!