Shalom & James,
I'm not on a low-fat diet per se (probably much lower than average because of the food I eat), but agree with you that meat and dairy are especially bad for you. I know this from experience. The people that support these products are a very powerful marketing force.
If one simply thinks a little bit about what God purposed cow's milk for in the first place -- nutrition for rapidly developing calves -- how could anyone think that this is a good food for us. Our nutritional needs are very different than calves. Especially once we are mature adults. I think this got started big time giving kids milk in this country when doctors thought they knew better than God and encouraged women not to breastfeed but substitute "formula." Like they could come up with something better for baby! My wife has training in dietetics and she still believes milk is very wholesome and that she needs it or she'll develop osteoporosis some years down the line --
these attitudes about food have been furthered and entranched by our educational system to a great deal, but some attitides are changing for the better.
I have also been replacing the use of butter, other oils with olive oil. Frankly, I like olive oil for the taste -- but healthwise its a much better type of oil. My brother and my Dad advocate taking some flax seed oil every day -- not sure what's up with that.
There are many scriptures that indicate diets rich in vegetables are good for you. Daniel comes to mind -- not wanting to eat the king's rich food. Better to eat larger amounts of lower calorie complex carb type food than small amounts of high calorie food -- this also makes for a more even release of energy from the food and better digestion.
Agree with most of what you said, but I think exercise and mobility are important, too.
One more thing that I want to mention is the use of caffeine. This is an addiction (with or without sugar as in colas) that everyone would be much better off without. I've made several attempts to quit. (Simply substitute water and occasionally juices. )
Now, I've been close to 4 weeks without taking in any and I sleep all the way through the night for a change. When I've drank a soda during the day, for the next 3 - 4 days my blood pressure will be elevated -- don't tell a doctor this. They are programmed not to believe it.
With caffeine people are fighting the body's natural inclination to get what it needs, rest. This only comes at a price and it's a high price. I know.
God bless you, Shalom |
