If you are wondering if a vegetarian or vegan-based diet is right for you, you might consider the findings in a large study.

According to Mladen Golubic, MD, PhD, with the Cleveland Clinic, a national (US) dietary survey was completed with over 6,000 people between the ages of 50 and 65 years old. It was found that those who reported a high protein intake (for example: eggs, dairy, fowl, pork, beef, lamb, and more) increased their risk of death by 75 percent.

The study showed a quadruple increase in death due to cancer during the following 18 years, and a quintuple increase in death from diabetes. The participants with a moderate intake of protein had a triple increase in their risk of death due to cancer, when compared with the low protein intake group.

“It is important to note that these associations of death by disease were completely eradicated if the ingested proteins were “plant-derived”. The composition of complex amino acids (which are the building blocks of protein) that are derived from animals act very differently than the amino acids from plant protein. What we need are the amino acids, not the proteins themselves.”

I’ve personally been a vegetarian for over 35 years. When I became a vegetarian, my own health improved dramatically.

Over the years, one of the things that has always confused people is the difference between a vegan and a vegetarian. People who eat chicken and fish are technically not vegetarians, but many call themselves vegetarian anyway. That’s why there is frequently confusion about this point. So, I am going to expand on the differences between all of these types of diets.

VEGETARIAN

The mainstream vegetarian avoids all animal products that require slaughtering an animal. If they STILL eat dairy and eggs, they are called an ovo-lacto vegetarian. Milk products, such as cheeses that don’t have rennet in them (rennet is made from the stomach lining of an animal),and non-fertile eggs are allowed. Vegetarian cheeses are made with vegetable rennet, vegetable enzymes, or figs. If they do not eat eggs, but allow milk and milk products in their diet, they are called a lacto-vegetarian.

PESCETARIAN

The people who eat fish, but no other type of meat, are pescetarian. However, many people who are pescetarian still refer to their diet as vegetarianism. This is very common and this group can also be called pesco-vegetarian. Some might say it’s a branch of vegetarianism.

(With the amount of mercury and plastic in the fish today, you may wish to listen to my recent radio show with Dr. McGraw concerning fish & mercury.)

PESCE POLLO VEGETARIAN

Then there is the person who eats chicken and fish, but avoids red meat. They can be called a pesco pollo vegetarian. This type of diet is not truly vegetarian.

VEGAN

A vegan avoids all products that have an animal origin. A vegan may even avoid honey, because it is made by bees. Many vegans will even go so far as to avoid using products such as wool, leather, silk, fur, wool, gelatin, lanolin, rennet, whey, casein, beeswax, shellac, carmine, bone, or fat for their bodies or lives. They prefer to avoid using products that can be made by exploiting a living creature in any way.

FLEXITARIAN

There is presently a new eating plan sensation called the “flexitarian” way of eating. This new way of eating is for people who plan to eat less creature foods, but who don’t want to cut them out completely.

Because of this phenomenon, the food labs have been developing new types of GMO foods using beef or chicken mixed with various “plant-based” ingredients. Even though I believe that whenever people eat more wisely and humanely it is a good thing, and I am grateful for their effort, I do not agree with this type of mixed GMO food, because all of my research studies strongly urge the avoidance of ALL GMO foods. I find this new food disturbing, and I will keep you updated on any health-related research that I find regarding this new “food.”

PLANT-BASED EATING

I definitely support everyone’s efforts to eat healthier and more humanely. That is one reason why I wrote the book, “How To Be A Healthy Vegetarian,” which is in it’s 2nd edition (winner of 8 book awards & now available in audio). I want to help people on their journey to better health, along with creating a gentler more humane world. Even if you don’t want to be 100% plant-based, consuming more fresh, organic plant foods can benefit most people’s health immensely. I believe that most people do not get enough fresh plant food nutrition and fiber, which I believe is extremely important for optimum overall health and well-being.

My goal is to enlighten people on how important the quality of all foods are, including vegetarian and vegan. A lot of people believe that simply giving up animal protein is healthy, but the truth is that you can also eat a very unhealthy vegetarian or vegan diet. Sometimes a vegetarian or vegan diet could include soy, fake meats, GMO foods, conventionally grown foods, processed foods, artificial sweeteners and dyes, monosodium glutamate (MSG), unhealthy fats, fast foods, microwaved foods, and refined foods and I don’t think any of those foods are healthy. The key to good health is to find the best REAL foods that come directly from nature with the least amount of manipulation or processing by man.

IN CONCLUSION

Live in the moment, be present, listen to your heart, and try to do the best and right thing for you at all times. Our life and our health are just that: personal choices.

For many of us in transition, with new food choices or life in general, it takes baby steps. Eating more fresh organic fruits and vegetables will make your health improve. Try eating one plant-based meal a day. I would definitely recommend looking for the most humanely-raised, organic, fresh, quality food at all times, for all your meals.

Becoming a more plant-based eater, whether completely or partially vegan or vegetarian, is a journey. Simply start the journey, and see where it takes you.

copyright@nancyaddison2023

Nancy’s 7 books on Amazon are also in Audio and some of them are in large print:

 https://www.amazon.com/Nancy-Addison/e/B00E6K5KGY/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1

Nancy’s website is: http://www.organichealthylife.com

Support Nancy’s work – Donate on venmo – @Nancy-Addison

Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast, blog, article, video is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Nancy Addison CHC. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging.

Do not use the information provided in this blog, audio podcast, article, video  for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this email.

Information provided in this video or audio and the use of any products or services related to this video by you DOES NOT create a health counselor-client relationship between you and Nancy Addison, certified health counselor. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The post What Is Plant-Based Eating And Why It Matters appeared first on Organic Healthy Life - Nancy Addison - Nutrition.

I thought I would address pets and their diet today, so they can live the longest healthiest lives possible.

Coming home and being welcomed with unconditional love and kisses from our pet brings incredible happiness to our day. Animals are wonderful companions and add so much joy and comfort to our lives. We want them to live long, healthy, happy lives as part of our family. They need a balanced diet, fresh clean water, a comfortable place to sleep, fresh air, exercise, and love, just like we do. In this article, I will explain what a healing diet for pets looks like, and give you some great guidelines for creating the best pet diet possible.

When I was growing up, it was common for us to give our pets the leftovers from our table. They got broccoli, carrots, potatoes, some greens, and some fruits. Our animals lived very long, healthy lives and thrived on our fresh food. It was not uncommon for our pets to live well into their 20’s. These days, most pets are getting diabetes and/or cancer as young as 6 years old, and I believe it is a direct result of their diet.

As large companies began making manufactured pet foods,
both advertising and our veterinarians started recommending that we should not feed our table scraps to our pets. Now there were designated dog food and cat food specifically created to “maintain and promote health” in our pets.

When people started feeding their pets the manufactured pet food, pet illness went up. Was cheap meat and filler in processed food making our pets ill?

In 2006, at least 76 dogs died as a result of eating aflatoxin-contaminated pet foods. Aflatoxins come from a fungus that is found on corn and grains. Aflatoxins are toxins that primarily affect the liver. They are in a wide variety of pet foods. Dogs who consume 0.5 to 1 mg aflatoxin per kg body weight can die within days.

“Aflatoxins are also carcinogenic. They bind with DNA and cause cell mutations. Newberne and Wogan (1968) were able to produce malignant tumors in rats with less than 1 mg of aflatoxin per kg of feed.”    A “Consumer Council study also found that three of the US brands tested (Purina, Iams and Solid Gold) also contained melamine or cyanuric acid. These are the substances that poisoned thousands of pets in 2007.”  

I recommend avoiding foods containing corn or grains (especially genetically modified, and non-certified organic) for you or your pets. I also suggest avoiding foods manufactured in China. False claims and marketing can make buying pet food confusing because recently, Rachel Ray’s Dog Food, Nutrish, was marketed as being free of “[No] artificial flavors or artificial preservatives” and being a “natural food for dogs”. The company Nutrish, was created by Ainsworth Pet Nutrition but was purchased by J.M. Smucker Company for about $2 billion. Markeith Parks (A New York resident, per Court documents), claims that Rachel Ray’s ‘natural’ food is false, deceptive, and misleading.

In addition to that, be aware that there are other harmful ingredients including heterocyclic amines, acrylamides, and PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers – a chemical used as a flame retardant) that are still included in many processed pet foods. Due to this increase in processed food in pet diets, pet diseases are starting to look more similar to human diseases.

About 50 years ago, people in the US and the world started eating more and more processed foods with additives, fillers, artificial colors, cheap or artificial sugars, genetically modified (GMO) ingredients, refined ingredients, etc. The rise in diabetes is 700% higher over the last 50 years, and now 50% of the people in the US have a chronic disease.

Cancer is prevalent, affecting at least half the men and one-third of the women in the US. I believe it is directly affected by the quality of the food, toxins in the environment, air and water quality, as well as less exercise and sunshine. I see a correlation with our animal friends that we keep as pets. I understand that pet disease has risen at about the same rate. I had a pet yellow Labrador live to be 17, and I’ve had other pets thrive well into old age. I also saw allergies disappear quickly when they began eating a healthier diet.

I received my International Wildlife Rehabilitation license and certification in 2001, and I learned a great deal working with wild animal diets. I even had a blind opossum (which I had rehabilitated) that lived to be 6 years of age. Their life span is usually only 4 years, maybe only 1 year in the wild. The blind opossum, Samantha, thrived on an organic, fresh, healthy food and mineral-rich, pure water diet.

Being a raw food chef, nutrition and health specialist, and an animal diet expert, I started seeing similarities between my animals’ diets and the diets I was recommending to my cancer, diabetes, and heart disease clients. The animals on my high-quality, fresh, mostly raw food diet were thriving and getting well, as they nourished their body with fresh, whole, real, organic food.

It seems sad to say the word “whole or real” food, but over the last 50 years, it is quite startling at what the food manufacturers and the government have allowed to be added to our food and our pet food, as if it is real food.  An example of this is wood pulp, which is a cheap filler used in foods. It is not nutritious, but it is added to make the product cheaper. They have also used it in many processed and cheap foods like genetically modified corn or soy, cottonseed oil, high fructose corn syrup, white refined ingredients, artificial dyes and flavorings, and synthetic vitamins. They are cheap (because our tax dollars support those unsustainable GMO seeds and chemical farming methods, instead of the healthier methods), and are used as a cheap filler in many processed foods.

Most of the corn and soy in the US is genetically modified with a Bt toxin built into it. Studies show this Bt toxin can eat holes in the stomach of whoever is consuming it.

Cottonseed oil isn’t food and should not be used in food, in my opinion, but it’s put in vegetable oil and other processed foods regularly.   I feed my pets the same foods that I am eating for my meals.

There are some foods you should definitely AVOID giving to your pets. because they are toxic to them. Be aware of this and make sure you give them foods free from these foods:  onions, scallions, shallots, garlic, avocado, pitted fruit, grapes, raisins (also known as currants), cacao, chocolate, walnuts, macadamia nuts, and xylitol.

Click here is a list of healthy fruits by Dr. Dobias, a holistic veterinarian.

Contrary to what you may have heard, feeding “people food” to pets isn’t always such a bad thing, especially if you’re giving them healthy options. In fact, you may be surprised at what you can safely, and nutritiously, feed your pet from the table.

1. Sweet Potatoes: One of nature’s nearly perfect foods, sweet potatoes are so nutritious, they should be fed to your dog frequently. Sweet Potatoes are high in antioxidants and have been studied on how they can prevent cancer and the effects of aging. They are high in vitamins, including A, C, and B 6. They are also high in the minerals manganese, copper, and iron, and the dietary fiber to help with bowel movements.  I slice my sweet potatoes in half and dehydrate them. If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can also bake them on the lowest heat in your oven for about 40-60 minutes. This turns them into wonderful leathery strips that make healthy chew treats for dogs
2. Fish: Fish is very good for dogs. Salmon, sardines, and anchovies are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids (DHA/EPA). Omega-3 fatty acids help prevent skin problems, allergies, arthritis, and heart disease. These oils are anti-inflammatory. I give mine to my animals raw and uncooked. Quality is important.
3. Carrots: Carrots are high in powerful phytonutrients. A great source of Vitamins A, K, and C, carrots provide powerful antioxidants. With these nutrients, they can help a dog’s vision, heart, and blood sugar levels.   Raw baby carrots are one of my favorite treats for dogs. In the hot summer months, you can make little “carrot popsicle treats” by freezing the little carrots in popsicle molds or in ice cube trays, and placing them in their water bowl as a cool surprise.   Lightly steamed or cooked carrots can also be added to your dog’s regular food, or they can be used as part of a healthy home-prepared meal.
4. Broccoli: Broccoli is packed with nutrients. It has been shown to have anti-cancer effects, aid in fighting infections, treat skin and heart problems, help metabolize drugs, and excrete toxins. Broccoli is so helpful, and every dog should eat it regularly.   Broccoli can be fed to dogs both raw and cooked. I recommend combining steamed or cooked broccoli with other high-quality foods and fish for a healthy meal, whenever a pet is ill.

You can order the raw, organic, non-GMO broccoli sprout powder to put in their food from the Indoor Organic Gardens of Poughkeepsie. They are fantastic for people and pets! Tell them “Nancy ” (code) and they’ll give you a 50% discount on your orders. I love it and think it is one of the best foods we can add to our diet to improve our and our pet’s health.

5. Leafy Greens: It’s hard to beat leafy greens in terms of maximum nutrition for minimal calories. Leafy greens are a proven cancer-risk preventative, abundant source of fiber, calcium, Vitamin A, E, and C. All of these nutrients help prevent heart disease, and contain numerous antioxidants. Most dogs enjoy greens thinly chopped and sautéed or cooked and mixed with their food. I combine mine in a food processor with the other ingredients and make a raw food recipe for animals.
6. Sprouted Beans: Sprouted and cooked black beans, kidney beans, and garbanzo beans are all super-foods for dogs. Cooked, sprouted beans can help provide natural fibers that help regulate blood sugar levels. This can really help with dogs who are struggling with diabetes.  Cutting out anything with high fructose corn syrup is a key, but also adding more cooked sprouted beans high in natural fiber can help with animal diabetes. In addition, these rich sources of proteins and minerals boost your pet’s immune system and help burn fat.
7. Quinoa: Quinoa is a seed that was known as “the gold of the Incas.” Quinoa is a complete protein. Being a seed, it needs to be soaked overnight to remove the phytic acid before cooking. This will remove the enzyme inhibitors, make it more digestible and help prevent acid indigestion.   Quinoa is easy to prepare. After sprouting it, just boil it in water for about 15 minutes. (The recipe for cooked sprouted quinoa is in my “How To Be A Healthy Vegetarian” and my “Raising Healthy Children” cookbooks).

I use quinoa in a variety of recipes for dogs, combining the cooked quinoa in a food processor with fish, or raw, high-quality meat, plus two to three vegetables (like carrots, broccoli or leafy greens), and some blueberries or watermelon. This creates a quick and easy mixture of healthy food for your pets.

8. Spirulina: Spirulina is a blue-green algae that is incredibly high in protein, nutrients, and antioxidants. Spirulina is often found in a powdered form that can be sprinkled over a dog’s normal food or added to a food processor mixture.

In addition to adding those types of foods to a pet’s diet, there is something important you should know and add to your pet’s diet daily. That one ingredient is Bone Meal.

Bone meal is critical for a dog’s or cat’s diet. If you feed an animal (dog or cat) an all-meat diet without calcium, he would pull all of the calcium from his bones to get enough to move his muscles. So, we need to add bone meal to the diet. (This is especially critical for puppies or kittens, so they don’t get metabolic bone disease. It’s painful and can cause weak bones and it looks like rickets.)

A dog in the wild, like a wolf, would eat whole animals raw, along with some bone. Around 10% to 15% of a dog or cat’s total diet needs to be bone.

Puppies and kittens need at least 12% and up to 15% bone to help them develop their skeletal growth and the development of adult teeth.

I recommend that you add this to the raw recipes, or if you are cooking any of the food, add the bone meal after it is cooked. You don’t want to add this to a recipe before it’s cooked. You don’t want to cook the bone meal with the food. You can also use Four Leaf’s Rover’s, Better Bones, as a substitute for adding ground up bone to the food.

If you weigh your dog’s or cat’s food, and then add this for a total of 10% by weight, then you should be in good shape.  I recommend making your own. There are directions to do this in the pet food cookbooks: “Dr. Becker’s Real Food For Dogs And Cats”  or  “The Forever Dog Life: 120+ Recipes, Longevity Tips, and New Science for Better Bowls and Healthier Homes”

Some doctors don’t believe in the power of foods and nutrition. Their focus is https://www.amazon.com/Beckers-Real-Food-Healthy-Dogs/dp/0982533152/ref=sr_1_5?crid=98MZWCF5GVW2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.hwAgTs9sb1Up5eR73kOOm5As5uUsqO6DiA6saQoWIvMiFDccRBzYg1-8ENG5UvHbmttGDbxMPa5sxAOqTgXlgyl57rehtGiH5X0x7HwT4AK9DH2tqDCEqtJvjgTuqovuq_ldLy98ba_YXkRBlTkFso1IxSSF9i5TaCPMSfb7B06KiPxERcjaAZBdf6pB5j1Y_YYhJb_Kmc_ZU2745oCPsKesnOvtc4XaL3_-Pl_g6lvZJYlxAVcqAh27FiqF5EBigep-vI6jqSO__68mHHbYZ_xj89-d668eGGLOrPkO_so.wLWw9v9lIe-pqch1EX_rxvoiSDmT223HM9txAlb9XvQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=real+food+for+dogs+and+cats&qid=1718375946&sprefix=real+food+for+dogs+and+cat%252Caps%252C146&sr=8-5&_encoding=UTF8&tag=healtnutricoo-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=1b3172d194aa323ccfa8ed830f49fa5c&camp=1789&creative=9325on treatment, not prevention. But I believe if we eat the right foods, we have the power to reverse and prevent disease. I use food as medicine, and I’ve seen it work on people, and also on my pets and the wildlife that I rehabilitate.

A friend of mine has a small dog, and she called me in a panic one day. She said her dog had been diagnosed with cancer. The oncologist recommended that chemo should be started right away.   She had been told her dog’s chances were slim, maybe 3 to 6 months to live. She was feeling panicky and pressured to do the treatment. She was calling me to ask my opinion.   I told her she needed to change her dog’s diet, and maybe she could turn this around.

I gave her some detailed recipes and ingredient recommendations. I explained to her the concept of feeding your pet raw food and why.  Animals in the wild are not consuming cooked or processed food, and they thrive on a raw meat, whole-food-based diet. Cooking the food destroys the enzymes. I believe the animals require these enzymes in raw food in order to stay healthy.

A healthy, raw food diet includes high quality, humanely raised or wild-caught creature meats (beef, fowl, fish), including organ meats, raw egg yolks, organic vegetables (like steamed broccoli, carrots, baby leafy greens, microgreens,) and fruits (like watermelon, berries, apples, pears, mango), as well as sprouted, organic pumpkin and sunflower seeds and nuts.

In addition to this, I add a tiny bit of unrefined, mineral-rich salt for the electrolytes. (The word electrolyte is simply a fancy medical term for the word salt). I also recommend changing up the mixture regularly, for variety.

My friend really took this to heart and decided to do the healthy food program and wait on the chemo.  She stuck to it, and after about two years, she called me to tell me that her dog was still alive and thriving, with no sign of cancer. (Now it’s another 2 years later and her dog is still doing well on this new diet.)  I was thrilled. She told me her dog hadn’t had any issues with digestion or elimination since being on the new, healthier, natural diet.

This is a diet that can not only give your pet more energy, but also help reduce food allergies from the processed and genetically modified ingredients like wheat, corn, and soy found in many of the processed dog foods.

If you want the best raw food recipes, I would buy the cookbook/information book:  “Dr. Becker’s Real Food For Healthy Dogs And Cats.”  It’s excellent.
Dr. Becker has a newer book just for dogs.

You can also order Small batches.

You can also order Ziwi pets, dog and cat food.

https://us.ziwipets.com/ 

I also created dog food recipes for a company in Houston, Jessie’s Bites. The food is human-grade, hand-made with love by special needs young adults. You can order the food online.

Something new and different, which I personally am using for myself, is a new frequency technology and I’ve had some really good results and so have my clients who have tried them. No supplements, no swallowing, no negative side effects, and extremely powerful for animals! Approved for Olympic athletes.

They work on the infrared energy in our body and work like acupuncture does on meridians. The patches have crystals in them, that reflect our infrared energy and activates a copper peptide in the body.

I have been using them on animals with incredible results, wound healing, infected eyes healing…
I have been astounded at the quickness of the effect.
Here is a link to a website that shows how it works.

If you wish to try them, My I D Number is 1439757 and my link will say “nancyaddison “

https://Lifewave.com/nancyaddison

My human clients are having wonderful results using them also.
Let me know if you have any questions.

https://Lifewave.com/nancyaddison

Text me at 214-202-9243.
I’ll call you back.
If you order as a preferred customer, ( save almost $100) make sure you order an order for today, and don’t simply set up an auto-ship.

 I have personally had wonderful results using them with dogs, cats, cows, and horses.
This photo below is from a man using them on horses and other animals.

I have a lot of people asking what to do about fleas.
I use baking soda on their beds or fur.
The fleas dries up and simply dies.

or

I also found a toxin-free flea collar I thought I would share with you.

In case you are interested.

Organic Flea and Tick Repellent Amber Collar with Adjustable Leather Strap for Dogs and Cats 

I hope this information helps you and I wish you healthy, happy pets!

copyright@nancyaddison2018

Sources:

1. Toxic pet food may have killed dozens of dogs, com news 5/10/2006 [11:08:00] AM ET, http://www.nbcnews.com/id/10771943/ns/health-pet_health/t/toxic-pet-food-may-have-killed-dozens-dogs/#.WX4-YIqQy8U
2. Cancer-Causing Aflatoxins Found In Dog Foods, Cancer In Dogs , By Dana Scott, Dogs Naturally Magazine, http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/cancer-causing-aflatoxins-found-in-dog-foods/
3. US Food Safety, Looking For The Safest, Healthiest Pet Food? Good Luck With That. Posted on August 14, 2015 by Zach Carter, Senior Political Economy Reporter, Huffington Post, https://blog.usfoodsafety.com/2015/08/14/looking-for-the-safest-healthiest-pet-food-good-luck-with-that/
4. Cancer-Causing Aflatoxins Found In Dog Foods, Cancer In Dogs , By Dana Scott, Dogs Naturally Magazine, http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/cancer-causing-aflatoxins-found-in-dog-foods/
5. Prediabetes: Could It Be You. CDC National Diabetes Statistics Report. 2014, Online. (Accessed December 2014)
6. CDC, Chronic Disease Overview, 2012, 2014, National Statistics, https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/overview/index.htm
7. Melamine Pet Food Recall – Frequently Asked Questions https://www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/safetyhealth/recallswithdrawals/ucm129932.htm – https://www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/safetyhealth/recallswithdrawals/ucm129932.htm

Please leave a comment and join the conversation!

The information from Nancy Addison and Organic Healthy Lifestyle LLC is not offered for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of any disease or disorder nor have any statements herein been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We strongly encourage you to discuss topics of concern with your health care provider.

Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this article, book, podcast, website, email, etc. is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Nancy Addison CHC, AADP. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging.

The post Healthy Pet Diets, So They Can Live Long Happy Lives! appeared first on Organic Healthy Life - Nancy Addison - Nutrition.

Grilling, frying, broiling, (and other cooking methods that expose meat to extremely high temperatures), “creates potential cancer-causing compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCAs). In fact, The American Institute for Cancer Research just released a warning that grilled foods can be carcinogenic.

This is especially true when the meat is charred or overcooked. Moreover, when fat drips on the heat source, the plumes of smoke can coat meat with other dangerous chemicals. The worst offenders are fatty, well-done beef, pork and lamb, but even poultry and fish produce HCAs when seared.”(1)

If you love grilling, here are a few ways to reduce the dangers:

• Buy lean types of meat and trim off all visible fat.

• “Marinate meat. Researchers have found that this can decrease HCAs by more than 90 percent. Use combinations of beer, cider, vinegar, citrus juices, mustard, herbs, and brown sugar.”(2)

• Precook meat in an oven, and then finish on the grill.

•Try using a lower heat. Don’t put the meat right over the fire. Put the meat to the side of the grill where the heat isn’t as hot.

• Turn the meat more frequently, and grill the meat just until it is cooked and safe to eat. Don’t cook it until it is charred. You can use a meat thermometer to check and make sure it is done.

• Avoid breathing in smoke, which also has risks.

• Veggie burgers, seitan (a protein-rich food made of wheat gluten, used as a meat substitute in vegetarian dishes), Portobello mushrooms and vegetables have little or no formation of HCA’s when grilled.

Try going vegetarian once in a while!

It tastes good, and is good for you!

Sources 1 & 2 Berkeley Wellness Alert University of California – 5/24/2011
By Nancy Addison CHC, AADP
copyright@nancyaddison2017

The post Safe Grilling Tips For The Summer Cookout! appeared first on Organic Healthy Life - Nancy Addison - Nutrition.

The post Woodstock Farm Sanctuary Part Three appeared first on Organic Healthy Life - Nancy Addison - Nutrition.