My most recent article to be published in January, 2015: TO SMOOTHIE OR NOT TO SMOOTHIE by Dian Freeman, Certified in Clinical Nutrition, over 25 years as a practicing Naturopath, Master Holistic Health Counselor and Instructor The plethora of information on diet choices is often filled with confusion. There so-called “dietary experts” constantly being touted whose recommendations are in direct conflict with common sense, history and science. Smoothies are often touted as the end-all food choice for good health. Our intuition should tell us the opposite as does history and science. Of course there is nothing wrong with smoothies, if one has no inherent blood sugar problems. They are tasty, as are all things sugar. But, if you are drinking smoothies instead of eating food, there is the error. “Food” is considered that from which a body is made. The human body is made of protein fat and water. Most smoothies have water, but most do not include enough fat nor sufficient protein to “feed” us. Sugar, a simple carbohydrate, is fuel, not food. The body will store fuel in fat cells if not used immediately in physical activity. When reading labels on prepared foods, it is important to note the carbohydrate count, which is the true ‘sugar’ count. The “no added sugar” claim on a starchy product does not mean the body will not use the whole product as sugar. Any grain product is used by the body as pure sugar. Carbohydrates are simply sugar and processed carbohydrates are simple sugars. Meaning they are absorbed quickly and easily causing blood sugar spikes, the cause of inflammation. Blending and juicing are the processes by which fruits and vegetables, and sometimes yogurt are combined. The key word here is “process.” All processed foods become a higher glycemic food than the original whole product. The more processed, like blending, the higher the glycemic value, meaning it causes a spike in the body’s blood sugar. Even healthy complex carbohydrates, once processed, are read by the body as simple sugar. Not a good choice for one with diabetes, hypoglycemia, heart problems, bowel problems, inflammatory conditions or other blood sugar issues. Plain and simple, smoothies are sugar. Those who love their daily smoothie report feeling great. We all get a spurt of energy from sugar, and it promotes the same sense of “high” as daily exercise, because ‘feel good’ endorphins are released in the brain by these activities. But, are we being fed? Not so much. The claim that blending releases vitamins and minerals from produce is a valid claim, if vitamins and minerals are there in the first place, and if the blending does not rip them apart in the process. Most experts agree that with the advent of chemical fertilizers combined with modern methods of storing and shipping, any vitamin and mineral content of produce cannot be guaranteed. That is why nutritional supplementation is necessary today as never before in history. Even the storing and shipping of organic produce makes these products ‘iffy’ on the nutrition scale. Produce that does include some vitamins and minerals are also valuable to us for their fiber content. But, blending breaks down that fiber, making it absorbed as sugar. Juicing separates the fiber and it is discarded. The alkaline property of produce is also diminished by processing. The acidic effect that simple sugar has on the body offsets the alkaline properties of the produce. Even protein when over-processed can result in causing blood sugar spikes. That is why I prefer real protein to protein bars or shakes. The body will breakdown its own self for the protein and fat it requires each day to replace dying cells, to repair damaged cells and to grow new cells. When sufficient protein is not eaten daily, the body will steal protein from our muscles. If not getting enough protein while exercising, thus building our exterior muscles, the body must breakdown our interior muscles like the arterial muscles, the heart, liver, lung, etc. It is easy to understand the source of organ insufficiency, weakened vessels, muscle deficiency and pain in a person not getting enough protein. Our best stores of dietary fat are not along the waist-line. That is stored sugar. Dietary fat is that which the body uses to build us. The best storage of dietary fat is in the brain and the myelin sheath protecting the nerves which the body will steal if not enough fat is eaten. Knowing this, it is easy to understand the source of nervous system disorders, ADD, depression, dementia and cognitive decline in one not eating enough fat. Low-fat and no-fat products can be looked upon as poison for the body and mind. Over the decades of my nutrition practice I have seen over 4,000 clients and have graduated over 600 students of my six-month nutrition course and among the most chronically ill of these are the ones who depend upon juicing for their nutrition. For me, and those I counsel and teach, my experience trumps modern “dietary experts.” When one understands the science of that which the body is made, then what and how to eat makes perfect sense. We can look at our bodies and see that we are pure protein, fat and water with various degrees of stored fuel, often in unwanted places. History is filled with people living long, healthy lives eating real food and only as much fuel as required for daily activities. Today, we see people being advised to do the opposite. We live in a society of people not listening to their ‘gut’, not learning from history and not exploring the science. Instead, they are keeping the medical, pharmaceutical and processed food industries wealthy and in control of our food, our government and our health. I recommend eating as did our ancestors. For nutrition, alkalinity and fiber, eat produce whole. For strong organs, muscles and bones, eat nuts, beans and free-range protein with raw dairy products 4-6 times a day, include a fermented food with each meal for proper digestion and eat every meal with plenty of natural fat. It is the body that is the best ‘processor’ of all food and fuel. Dian Freeman is Naturopath who has a private nutritional consultation practice for over 25 years in Morristown, NJ and is currently working on her doctorate at Drew University. A health freedom advocate, Dian has taught a nutritional certification course for over 10 years and awards graduates with a Holistic Health Counselor, HHC, certification. The next course begins fall 2015. She practices using vibrational energy, Ondamed and NES Health biofeedback and lectures widely. Dian may be reached at 973 267-4816, dian2@wellnesssimplified or WellnessSimplified .
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 14:42:49 +0000
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