Colonista: One Woman's Search for the World's Best Colon Cleansing

Think You Might Be Allergic to Gluten?

Gluten is an extremely common protein and is found in a variety of foods. Unfortunately, many people are allergic to it. And even more unfortunate is the fact that the majority of people that suffer from gluten intolerance don't even know it because so many doctors don't know much about gluten intolerance.

 

Symptoms of gluten intolerance vary from person to person but include:

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Weight gain
• Mental fogginess
• Diarrhea with occasional constipation
• Bloating
• Headaches
• Gas

 

If you're concerned that you may be suffering from a gluten intolerance, take the self-test offered over at Ahwatukee.com (scroll down the article a bit, and you'll see it).

 

So what were your test results?

 

(Picture Credit: Dr. Stephen Wangen: The Gluten-Free Doctor)

Vegetarian Diets: Not Only Good for Your Colon

Cutting out meat (particularly red meat) is a great choice you can make for your colon. Your digestive system can work more efficiently with a high-fiber diet such as a vegetarian diet. But your colon isn't the only thing that can benefit from being a vegetarian. The Montreal Gazette recently ran an article discussing how following a vegetarian diet can lead to a decreased risk of developing cataracts.

 

A recent British study followed over 27,000 people for as long as fifteen years and showed that about three in fifty meat-eaters developed cataracts while only two in fifty vegetarians and vegans developed the condition. While this may not seem significant at first, realize that it translates into a 30-40% lower risk of developing cataracts among vegetarians and vegans.

 

However, it's important to point out that the study doesn't prove that eating meat promotes cataracts. On the other hand, it may be that eating a diet high in vegetables helps to protect an individual from developing the condition.

 

So, guys, while it's not 100% conclusive, the study certainly implies that following a vegetarian lifestyle can help to decrease your risk of developing cataracts.

 

(Picture Credit: AAPOS)

5 Ways to Avoid Food Toxins

If you're a regular follower of this blog, then you know that toxins are everywhere--even in our food. Here are five more ways that you can eliminate food toxins from your diet:

1. Don't buy foods or drinks with strong flavors or bright colors. This means that they probably contain coal tar, which is what those bright colors are extracted from. Coal tar has been proven to lead to cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
2. Don't buy meats that can be kept in the fridge for a long period of time. This means salami, bologna, and other processed meats. They contain sodium nitrate, which prevents bacteria from forming. However, sodium nitrate also leads to conditions that can cause cancer.
3. Don't buy processed foods. 'Nuff said.
4. Read the labels, and don't buy foods that have too many ingredients or ingredients that you are unfamiliar with. Stay away from food additives such as mono sodium glutamate or MSG.
5. Purchase organic hormone-free meat, milk, and eggs. Close to 85% of all meats sold in the US contain hormone called diethylstilbestrol, which has been proven to cause breast cancer and cancer of the reproductive organs.

Are you ready to try out these five tips?

 

(Picture Credit: Lola Lollipop)

30 Days to a Healthier Diet

So I've talked quite a bit over the years about organic foods and why they're so important to your diet. Through my research, I came across the Healthy Eating Plan from The Daily Green.

 

This 30-day plan makes it easy for you to transition to an organic and healthier diet. Here are a few of my favorite tips in the plan:

• Day 3: Eat Like a Grandmother--This day's challenge is to eat only non-processed foods.
• Day 12: Switch to Butter--Used sparingly, butter is actually healthier for you than margarine. It's a win!
• Day 19: Ban High Fructose Corn Syrup--It's poison, I tell you--poison!
• Day 29: Ditch the Drive-Thru--That food might be "fast," but it's full of empty calories.

What do you think? Let me know how the 30-day plan works for you!

 

(Picture Credit: Healthy Eating)

Vegans: You Don't Have to Get Your Protein from Tofu!

According to an article in the Detroit Free Press, there are many other sources besides tofu for vegans to get their protein. Chef Tal Ronnen knows how hard it can be for vegans to get protein in their diets--after all, he's vegan. But there is hope--there are actually a lot of places that you can get your protein!

 

Ronnen became a vegetarian over twenty years ago, so he has some experience searching out sources of protein. He tries to take a cue from other cultures and looks to sources such as whole grains for protein. "In India, it's lentils; South America, it's quinoa; and in Asia, it's soy," Ronnen said. Other good protein sources: brown rice, grains, beans, and pastas.

If you're vegan or vegetarian, what are you favorite protein sources?

 

(Picture Credit: The Vegetarian Who Hates Tofu)

Prunes More Effective Than Psyllium in Treating Constipation

According to a recent press release, you should pop a few prunes to ease constipation.

 

A clinical trial was published in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics that focused on a group of forty constipated individuals. Some in the group were given 50 grams of prunes twice daily (containing six grams of fiber), and some were given one tablespoon of psyllium in water twice each day (containing six grams of fiber).The study participants recorded their symptoms and stools in a diary. The number of complete spontaneous bowel movements per week as well as stool consistency improved significantly with prunes when compared to psyllium. Global constipation symptoms also improved more with prunes versus psyllium.

 

Looks like you should stock up on prunes if you're feeling constipated! What are your favorite ways to treat constipation? Would you be willing to give prunes a try?

 

(Picture Credit: Life123)

Older Women with Bad Diets More Likely to be Anemic

Here's just one more reason to maintain a healthy diet. A recent study that was published in the Journal of the American Diabetic Association shows that women that have gone through menopause and maintain poor diets are more likely to become anemic.

 

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Arizona and involved approximately 73,000 older American women. A link was found between poor nutrition and the blood disorder anemia. Women with poor diets were 21% more likely to develop anemia than those women that ate healthy diets.

 

What do you think? Do these results make you want to follow a healthy diet?

 

(Picture Credit: Adult Stem Cell Awareness)

Alkaline Versus Acidic Foods--Which Are Which?

It's a general rule that you want your body to be more alkaline versus acidic. But how do you distinguish which foods cause an alkaline state and which cause an acidic state?

 

The Best of Raw Food owners have compiled a list of alkaline and acidic foods--follow the link on this webpage to download it. But in the meantime, follow these guidelines:

 

Alkaline Foods:

• Green, leafy veggies
• Fresh herbs
• Sprouts
• Grasses
• Medicinal mushrooms

 

Check out the list on The Best of Raw Food's website and then let me know--which acidic/alkaline foods shocked you the most?

 

(Picture Credit: Hot Body Training)

8 Kitchen Tools All Raw Food Dieters Should Have

Following a raw food diet means that your kitchen is differently equipped than other kitchens. Following are eight kitchen tools that you absolutely must invest in if you plan to follow a raw food lifestyle.

 

1. Juicer

You'll use your juicer practically daily if you're a raw foodie, so shell out a couple hundred bucks for a good one. 

 

2. Blender

That blender will come in handy every day or two, especially when you want to make sauces, smoothies, or soups. This is another item you should invest in, so expect to spend anywhere from $200 to $400 for a high quality blender. 

 

3. Dehydrator

Get a large dehydrator so that you can stock up on items such as crackers, cookies, and bars. Plan on spending $150-200 on a dehydrator.

 

4. Water Purifier

Again, this is one of those items that you'll be using daily, so save up! Drinking pure water is a big part of a raw food diet follower's lifestyle.

 

5. Food Processor

You'll end up using a food processor to slice up veggies easily and quickly. Don't spend more than $150 on one.

 

6. Coffee Grinder

...but not for coffee! Your coffee grinder helps you to grind up seeds and nuts for your interesting diet. Less of an investment, a good coffee grinder will run you $25-35.

 

7. Sprouter

This is one of those odd kitchen appliances that you may not have--or have even heard of. A sprouter will help you to grow sprouts to supplement your diet.

 

8. Hand Blender

This is another appliance that you'll most likely use daily for spreads, smoothies, and more. Get one that's easy to clean.

 

What other tools would you recommend followers of the raw food diet invest in?

 

(Picture Credit: Cuisinart Webstore)

Substituting Raw Foods for Non-Raw Foods

If you're interested in trying out a raw food diet, you may find that you're a little overwhelmed at first and not sure where to start. Well, I recently came upon a great raw food conversion chart over at The Best of Raw Food that's sure to make your life a little easier.

 

Their chart breaks down your groceries into five categories: food, beverages, condiments and spreads, special treats, and supplements. Then they wrap things up with some general guidelines about where you should shop and what ingredients you should look for.

 

The great thing about this chart is that they give you three options for each non-raw food: bad, better, best. This way, you can tell if you're making the right choices when substituting your foods with those in the raw food diet.

 

Take a look at the chart, and let me know what you think. Do you see any suggestions that you think should be added to the chart?

 

(Picture Credit: Nouveau Beauty Cosmetic Center's Blog)