Chapter 9 - Eliminate SAD Foods Flashcards
Three most offensive and over-emphasized elements of the Standard American Diet (SAD)
- Grains
- Sugars
- Refined high-polyunsaturated vegetable oils (including chemically altered partially hydrogenated trans fats and bottled vegetable/seed oils)
*when it comes to these foods, total elimination is advised
Partially hydrogenated trans fats are directly associated with
- diabetes
- obesity
- heart disease
- cancer
Rip-off-the-bandaid method
Ruthlessly discard any and all foods that don’t align with your new Primal way of eating
Stepwise approach
Get rid of the biggest food offenders first, then continue to cull your pantry and cupboards, gradually replacing SAD foods with Primal-friendly items instead
Refined high-polyunsaturated vegetable oils
Are arguably the most dangerous item you can eat
They are missing their hydrogen atoms and are, therefore, unstable and prone to oxidation
Oxidizing forms free-radical chain reactions that have been shown to damage cell membranes and other tissues…
Refined vegetable oils have been shown to damage
- cell membranes
- cardiovascular system
- immune system
- brain
Refined vegetable/seed oils are so unstable
That they can start to oxidize when exposed to:
- air
- light
- moisture
*accordingly, ingesting these agents promotes oxidative (free radical) damage to cells and tissues inside the body
Over time, free radical damage causes:
- premature aging
- skin disease
- heart disease
- liver damage
- immune dysfunction
- cancer
Chemically altered partially hydrogenated trans fats are created by:
Heating vegetable and seed oils at high temperatures and mixing them with toxic solvents to render them solid.
This is done solely to increase shelf life and not, contrary to popular belief, to enhance flavor.
All partially hydrogenated oils are considered
Trans fats
BUT there are certain trans fats, like conjugated linoleic acid, that are found in meat and dairy products
- there is no reason to avoid those naturally occurring fats, which offer assorted health benefits
Excess intake of high-polyunsaturated vegetable/seed oils (comprised mostly of omega-6 fatty acids)
Contribute to systemic inflammation by inhibiting the conversion of short-chain omega-3 into long chain omega-3s, forming inflammatory eicosanoids in tissues, and displacing anti-inflammatory omega-3s
*additionally, PUFA oils worsen insulin sensitivity
conjugated linoleic acid
A certain kind of trans fat, found in meat and dairy products — there is no reason to avoid these naturally occurring fats, which offer assorted health benefits
Examples of temperature-stable saturated fats that will not oxidize
- coconut oil
- butter/ghee
- animal fats (bacon grease, lard, etc.)
Also,
- olive oil
- avacado oil
are great options for cooking
Items to eliminate from the kitchen first:
- bottled vegetable/seed oils (canola, cottonseed, corn, safflower, grape seed, peanut oils, etc.)
- all foods containing refined high-polyunsaturated oils, especially partially hydrogenated trans fats
- buttery spreads and sprays (smart balance, promise, country crock, I can’t believe it’s not butter)
- margarine
- vegetable shortening/crisco
The average American consumes an estimated
115 pounds of sugar-laden processed foods each year
High sugar intake promotes
A state of oxidation and inflammation that sets the tone for:
- heart disease
- cancer
- accelerated aging
Sweets
- have been so heavily refined and processed that they are literally devoid of any nutritional value
- they immediately spike blood glucose levels and prompt a significant insulin response
As sugar levels drop:
- the body’s stress response is activated in an attempt to restore blood sugar levels to normal
- this constant blood sugar fluctuation inflicts undue stress on the pancreas
Excess consumption results in:
- hyperinsulinemia
- hyperglycemia
- eventually, type 2 diabetes
- and other assorted health problems
Primal-friendly sweets, when used in moderation:
- stevia
- honey
- blackstrap molasses
- erythritol
Common sweets to avoid
Sweeteners
- agave nectar
- sugar
- evaporated cane juice
- high-fructose corn syrup
- brown sugar
- powdered sugar
- raw sugar
- brownies
- cake
- cookies
- cupcakes
- pies
- other baked treats
- candy
- candy bars
- all other confections
- milk chocolate: switch to dark chocolate with a 75% cacao content or higher
Frozen desserts
- popsicles
- push-pops
- ice cream
- frozen yogurt
All humans have…
Some degree of grain intolerance
For many, intolerance is severe enough to manifest in serious health problems throughout the body, including:
- gastrointestinal disorders
- nutrient malabsorption
- autoimmune disease
For others, the symptoms are subclinical, resulting in a state of mild systemic inflammation that affects digestion and immune function
Acellular Carbohydrates
Particularly objectionable, because they provide an intensive carbohydrate load that overwhelms and disrupts the composition of our healthy digestive flora.
- found in grain flour products
Contrary to conventional wisdom, we do not need
Grains for fiber and other nutrients
*we get all the fiber we need from fruits and vegetables
Lectin
Mild, natural toxin
- found in high levels in common grains
Inhibits the natural repair system of the digestive tract, leaving the body vulnerable not only to digestive ailments but also to eventual autoimmune disorders.
Bind to insulin receptors, thereby exacerbating:
- insulin resistance
- leptin resistance
*note: certain kinds of lectins have immune and health-boosting properties, so we prefer the term “toxic lectins” when describing those forms that are offensive to health
Leptin
The “lookout hormone”
- monitoring how much energy an organism takes in and how this energy is metabolized
*when leptin signaling is compromised by lectin-induced damage, the brain believes the body is starving despite ample energy stores, so both appetite and fat storage increase
A large percentage (perhaps, above 50%) of the population is
Either sensitive to or intolerant to gluten
*an estimated 1% of the population has been found to be formally diagnosed with celiac disease, and many more may be suffering without official diagnosis
A great many people, when cutting out gluten, experience noticeable improvements in symptoms like:
- joint pain
- skin issues
- digestive disturbances
*anyone who experiences chronic health issues or physical complaints, even mild ones, should undertake a period of total gluten elimination to see if their symptoms improve
Gluten
A protein, found in:
- wheat
- rye
- barley
Can cause, or aggravate:
- intestinal disorders
- peripheral neuropathy
- joint pain
- autoimmune disease
- several cancers are also strongly linked to gluten intolerance
Folks with celiac disease
Have a complete intolerance to gluten that can manifest as:
- compromised vitamin D3 and calcium levels
- hyperparathyroidism
- bone defects
Phytates
Offer certain nutritional benefits when consumed in moderation.
However, a grain-based diet results in excessive consumption and accordant difficulties with digestion…
Bind with nutrients in the digestive tract and inhibit their absorption
- this can compromise absorption of important vitamins and minerals and interfere with the body’s ability to synthesize vitamin D3
A diet low or absent of grains can:
- decrease your risk of hyperinsulinemia
- decrease your risk of diabetes
- lower high blood pressure
- alleviate heartburn
- help shed excess body fat (particularly the hormone-disturbing abdominal fat
- reduce pro-inflammatory markers
- among other health benefits
Common grain foods to eliminate from the diet:
- wheat flour
- semolina
- other grain based flours like —> rice or masa
Cooking grains:
- amaranth
- barley
- bulgar
- couscous
- millet
- rye
*quinoa is a primal-approved alternative that is not actually a grain, but a chenopod — like a beet. It’s a good source of protein and an almost perfect balance of eight amino acids
Baked goods and snacks containing flour:
- breads of all varieties
- crackers
- croissants
- danishes
- dounuts
- scones
- graham crackers
- pizza
- pretzels
- muffins
- rolls
- tortillas
- cookies
- cakes
- cupcakes
Breakfast foods
- dry cereals
- cream of wheat
- oatmeal
- grits
- granola
- waffles
- French toast
Chips
- corn
- potato
- tortilla
- pasta & noodles
- rice - except wild rice, which is categorized as a grass, not a grain, so it’s considered primal-approved
Legumes to eliminate, or de-emphasize, in your diet:
- alfalfa
- beans
- peanuts
- lentils
- chickpeas
- soybeans (and related products, like tofu)
*categorized by the primal blueprint as “unnecessary” to consume
The bioavailability of minerals in legumes is
Compromised by the body’s inability to digest legumes
- this is evidenced by the common side effect of flatulence (caused by the fermentation of indigestible carbohydrates in the digestive tract), and by the fact that soaking processes are necessary for proper digestion and nutrient absorption
Processed foods are
Way too easy to digest
- study: energy expenditure between whole foods and processed foods… whole food takes twice as much energy to break down than processed foods
Processed foods to watch out for:
- snack foods
- prepared breakfast items
- packaged desserts that contain grains, sugars, and highly refined oils
Sports drinks
When mixed properly at around 7% glucose concentration, are of minimal concern when used during extended medium-to-high intensity workouts
- they are best not to consume at rest or in a routine fashion during the day
Replenish with:
- water
- herbal teas
- coffee
Limit or eliminate these beverages
Designer coffee drinks
Most, if not all, energy drinks
Fruit flavored drinks
- provoke a mighty insulin response
- are really fruit flavored sugar water
Real fruit juice
Milk, due to
- lactose intolerance
- allergic concerns
- common use of hormones
- common use pesticides
- common use of antibiotics
- GMO use
adding whole milk or cream to coffee is fine if you tolerate dairy
Avoid:
- non-fat
- low-fat
Non-dairy milks (almond, rice, soy)
- not inherently problematic, but they contain additives like carrageenan, guar gum to which some are sensitive
- make your own, or look for brands that contain only nuts/coconut and water
Avoid:
- soy
- rice
Sodas
- high sugar & assorted chemicals & artificial sweeteners (aspartame & sucralose)
- some artificial side effects = migraines & panic attacks
Sports drinks
Sweetened cocktails
Vegetable juices
Energy drinks
These should be avoided
- Red Bull
- monster
- full throttle
- 5-hour energy
- and the like…
—> they deliver an immediate energy spike from the combination of caffeine and sugar, resulting in an eventual energy crash and stress on the fight-or-flight system
Real fruit juice
When fruit is consumed in juice form (even 100% fruit juice) it can become quick hits of sugar that spike insulin and can easily deliver hundreds of calories in the blink of an eye…
- if insistent to consume, dilute with sparkling water, aiming to increase water-to-juice ratio over time
Avoid sweetened cocktails
- daiquiri
- margaritas
- mai-tai
*when alcohol calories are consumed in conjunction with the carbohydrates, as with these mixed drinks, they are much more likely to be stored as fat