Is the Carnivore Diet safe?

 The latest trend is following a Carnivore Diet, but is it a healthy way to eat? Decide for yourself by looking at what exactly this diet entails. 

On this diet, you can have:

• Black coffee
• Butter
• Eggs
• Fish
• Ghee
• Meat
• Poultry
• Sauces or gravies made with meat drippings
• Small amounts of low-lactose dairy
• Water

What you Cannot have: 

• Alcohol
• Fruits
• Grains
• Legumes
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Vegetables

The only good thing is they don't want you to drink Alcohol, but not allowed to have the healthy fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds? This is where the very unhealthy and even dangerous part of the diet comes in. You will have a higher risk of Heart disease and Colon Cancer due to no fiber and high amounts of Fat from meat and dairy. It is also very high in Sodium, which is especially bad for those suffering from High Blood Pressure. 

Take a look at these Articles and please do your research before getting on this VERY unhealthy diet. Your health problems will improve initially, BUT eventually you will ruin your health once it all catches up with you. The reason your health will improve at first is because you are getting rid of processed foods, but you need to eat the foods on  the restricted list in order to live a long and healthy life, and avoid the diseases associated with consuming these unhealthy foods. 

The risk of the Carnivore Diet

The Carnivore Diet, a Terrible Idea

Reversing Disease with a Plant Based Diet

 Excellent Article!! Click on image to go to article

Mediterranean Diet for Beginners

If you want to improve your health, but can't seem to follow a Plant Based diet, then try the Mediterranean Diet! It is similar to a Whole Food, Plant Based way of eating, but you can have fish.....It basically consists of lots of Fresh fruits and vegetables and Salmon. Removing red meat and actually ALL meat from our diets is always a good choice. Salmon is the best one to choose since it's much healthier than the other fish, plus has the most Omega 3's. Choose Salmon that is Wild Caught Pacific which is Sockeye or King Salmon. You have to understand that when you order in a Restaurant, you most likely will not know what type they use. Farmed is the absolute worse Salmon, so avoid that at all costs! It has the highest content of parasites, disease, chemicals and waste.  Just remember to eat more veggies than fish! I eat no more than 2 servings a week. Other good fish, in case you dislike Salmon are Mahi Mahi, Cod and Flounder. DO NOT eat Tilapia, it is bad because of the farming practices. They add pesticides and antibiotics so you are getting that when you consume that fish. It also has a LOT of excess waste. For Omega 3's, stick with Salmon if you can. 

Click below for info 

Mediterranean Diet for Beginners 

Benefits of Beets on Endothelium (Arteries)

Beets & your Endothelium 

Beets, particularly beetroot juice, can positively impact the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels, primarily due to their high nitrate content. 

Here's how beets and their nitrates affect the endothelium:

1. Increased Nitric Oxide Production:

• Beets are rich in dietary nitrates, which the body converts into nitric oxide (NO).
• NO is a crucial signaling molecule that plays a vital role in maintaining healthy endothelial function. 

2. Improved Blood Vessel Function:

• NO acts as a vasodilator, meaning it helps relax and widen blood vessels, improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure.
• By increasing NO production, beets can contribute to better endothelial function, promoting healthy blood flow and reducing the risk of endothelial dysfunction. 

3. Potential Benefits for Endothelial Dysfunction:

• Endothelial dysfunction, a condition where the endothelium doesn't function properly, is a precursor to various cardiovascular diseases.
• Beetroot juice, by enhancing NO bioavailability, has shown potential in improving endothelial function in individuals at risk of or suffering from conditions like hypertension, peripheral artery disease, and even in healthy individuals. 

4. Other Potential Benefits:

Beyond nitrates, beets contain other beneficial compounds like betalains (Pigments), and antioxidants, which may also contribute to overall vascular health and potentially protect the endothelium from oxidative stress

In summary, beets, particularly beetroot juice, can promote a healthier endothelium through their high nitrate content, which leads to increased NO production, improved blood vessel function, and potentially reduced risk of endothelial dysfunction.

**You can also add beets to your smoothies if you don't like the taste. Just add a little bit....they are quite strong and you will not taste it, or you can get Beet Root Powder to add to juice or beverage of your choice. 

Do you need to Supplement with Calcium?

If you are following a Plant Based way of eating, then you can get more than enough Calcium from your food. 

 Food Sources of Calcium for Vegans:

 There are many plant-based sources of calcium, including certain leafy green vegetables, broccoli, tofu, tempeh, tahini, almonds, black beans, vegetarian baked beans, oranges, seeds, and blackstrap molasses. Vegans can also choose calcium-fortified foods like fruit juices, energy bars, and plant milks. The calcium content of foods varies by brand and depends on processing. For example, tofu is an excellent source of calcium when a calcium salt (e.g. calcium sulfate) is used to coagulate or “set” the tofu. Likewise, while blackstrap molasses is a good source of calcium, regular molasses is not. Factors Affecting Calcium Absorption Oxalates, compounds found in some leafy green vegetables, can inhibit absorption of calcium. Beet greens, Swiss chard, rhubarb, and spinach are high in calcium but also high in oxalates. Therefore, they should not be relied upon for meeting calcium needs. The calcium in other leafy greens, such as collards, kale, and mustard greens, is very well absorbed. Vegans who consume a higher protein diet may also reduce their risk for bone fracture. Meat analogues and legumes have been shown to have a protective effect on bones. Other higher protein plant foods like beans and soy foods contain important amino acids for bone health. 

Sample Menu Providing 1000 mg of Calcium 

Breakfast

 • ½ sesame seed bagel (80mg) with 2 Tablespoons almond butter (80mg) 

• 1 navel orange (80mg) 

• 8 oz calcium-fortified almond milk (450mg) 

Lunch

• 2 slices whole wheat bread (100mg), 

¼ cup hummus (15mg), 

2 slices tomato (5mg)  

¼ cup sliced cucumber (5mg)

 • Banana (5mg) Snack 

• Apple (10mg) with 2 Tbsp peanut butter (20mg) 

Dinner 

• Stir fried vegetables: 

½ cup tempeh (90mg), 

½ cup broccoli (30mg), 

½ cup carrots (20mg) 

• 1 Tbsp sesame seeds (90mg) 

• 1 cup brown rice (5mg) Snack 

• ½ cup frozen non-dairy dessert (0mg) with 1 cup sliced peaches (10mg) 

It is always best to get your nutrients from Whole Foods rather than a supplement