Crown Shakur, born in Atlanta, Ga., died from malnutrition before his first birthday. His well-meaning vegan parents, who fed their newborn son mainly soy milk and apple juice, strictly avoided all food from animal sources. They were convicted of involuntary manslaughter for their child’s death. Three such convictions of vegan parents have recently been handed down in American courts, highlighting the inescapable biological fact that humans are omnivores, and as such we need both plant and animal foods to survive.
Crown Shakur, born in Atlanta, Ga., died from malnutrition before his first birthday. His well-meaning vegan parents, who fed their newborn son mainly soy milk and apple juice, strictly avoided all food from animal sources. They were convicted of involuntary manslaughter for their child’s death. Three such convictions of vegan parents have recently been handed down in American courts, highlighting the inescapable biological fact that humans are omnivores, and as such we need both plant and animal foods to survive.
America today is a land that indulges our freedom of choice. You can choose to have green hair and blue eyes, or to watch Sponge Bob Square Pants around the clock, or for your morning coffee you can choose to have a vanilla, half-caf, 1 percent, extra-hot, no-foam latte—but you can’t yet choose your genes. Those genes, the blueprint your cells use to build and maintain you, specify the kinds of foods upon which you will either thrive or decay. That’s why not all diets are created equal, and why food cannot be like fashion fads that come and go.
Many vital nutrients, such as essential amino acids, DHA (an omega-3 fat), vitamins B12, A and D, and calcium and zinc, are found predominantly in meat, fish, eggs, dairy, and other animal by-products. So paradoxically, while fresh produce (vegetables and fruits) is the single most important component of a healthy diet, strict vegetarianism does not foster optimum human health. The traditional vegetarian diets, as in India, always included eggs, dairy, and/or fish, which provided these nutrients.
Unfortunately, most animal based foods in our modern diet are over-processed and unhealthy due to unnaturally high levels of saturated fats, sodium, nitrites, preservatives,and other additives; giving meat a bad reputation in many nutritional circles. Yet if you want a strong body, a sharp mind, and a powerful and vigilant immune system, you should try to consume lean, healthy, fresh protein three times a day.
Be Picky about Your Protein
Lean protein also cranks up your metabolism and keeps you full longer after a meal. However, you must be very particular about your protein. The two highest quality protein sources are egg whites and whey protein. Nature designed both of these foods so they contain the precise amino acid building blocks needed to nurture young and developing animals and help them grow strong new tissues. To get one of the three protein servings for a day, I use a scoop of CardioWhey Vanilla mixed in skim milk at breakfast or as a mid-afternoon snack. Fish, seafood, chicken or turkey breast meat, and non-fat dairy foods, are other great sources of animal protein. Even red meat is fine if it’s lean (92 to 100 percent fat free), fresh, and is not burned or over-processed. Also, consider nuts or legumes, like soybeans, lentils or red beans, for one of your protein sources each day.
Portion size is important also; an ideal protein serving size is about the size of the palm of your hand, with a width about as wide as your little finger at the middle joint. Fatty meats like full-fat hamburger and prime rib are off limits, as are over-processed meats like bacon and sausage. Jerky and deli meats, although often low in fat, are too high in salt and preservatives to eat on a daily basis.
Ideally, for each meal, you should be eating about three servings of colorful, fresh or fresh frozen vegetables and fruits to go along with your serving of healthy protein. Remember to start downing those fruits and veggies at breakfast, or you’ll have a tough time hitting your daily target of nine. Beverages should predominantly consist of non-caloric options like water, tea and coffee, or low-calorie, high-nutrient choices, such as low sodium V-8 juice, skim milk or soy milk.
As important as what you choose to eat and drink is what you choose to avoid consuming. Pass upprocessed foods, especially those containing sugar, white flour, trans fats or high fructose corn syrup. Avoid products with long lists of ingredients and those bearing health claims like low fat or low carb--they are usually full of other bad stuff!
Heart Institute Research Reveals Risks for Athletes
You might think that highly trained athletes would be the least likely to be at risk for sudden cardiac death, but research conducted at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute shows that may not be the case. And to some degree, race can influence the likelihood of cardiac abnormalities.
Physicians Strive to Prevent Sudden Death in Athletes
As the father of four active, healthy children, I can only imagine how devastating it would be for one of them to die suddenly from a heart ailment. And yet, a little more than a year ago, my good friend and mentor Bob Conn, went through just such a tragedy when his 22-year-old grandson, Jordan Mann, died suddenly.
10 Tips for Staying Lean Through the Holiday Season
The holiday season may be hazardous to your health.Studies show that Americans typically gain about seven pounds over the holiday season each year, and some of it stays on permanently despite the New Year's resolutions to get it off. Even more worrisome are reports showing increased risks of heart attack, dangerous cardiac rhythms, and even death during the holidays. Emotional stress, depression, over-eating, not enough exercise, and too much salt and alcohol are all likely to be playing a role. Make sure you and your family stay healthy and happy this year by following these 10 rules for safely navigating the holiday hazards.
