The Basics
The human body is a complex organism composed of trillions of cells which carry out specific tasks. The human body is 99% composed of 11 elements – oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon, calcium, phosphorous, sulfur, potassium, sodium, chlorine and magnesium. These elements are the building blocks to our cells and each carry out different rolls to help sustain homeostasis within the body. Homeostasis in a state of harmony between all organs and systems in the body. The foods we consume either contributes to or disrupt homeostasis based on the elements or minerals inside of them.
Understanding the Food Pyramid
The Pyramid
The public education system has created a formula known as The Food Guide Pyramid to guide Americans on what foods to consume. The Pyramid is broken down into groups of foods we should consume and the serving size. The current Pyramid on the USDA’s website consist of grains, fruits, meats, oils, and milk. These categories give us a broad range of foods that are essential to our diets. Many foods in this pyramid are directly correlated to the diseases that plague our communities today. Let’s start by breaking down each category
Grains
Grains are the seeds of grass-like plants called cereal. Examples of grains include – corn, oats, rice wheats, and barley. Grains can be broken down into (2) categories – Refined & Unrefined. Refined grains are stripped of their bran and germ which are parts of a whole grains that are the embryo and protection of the plant. The germ is the most nutrient dense part of the plant so when it is removed, so is the grain’s nutritional value. Being that all grains are apart of the plant embryo, they are not yet ready for human consumption and are high in lectin acid which is the embryo’s defense system against being eaten prematurely. The lectins in grains resist being broken down in the intestinal track and create a toxin in the body. Although they are not as dangerous as other acidic foods, grains are acidic.
Fruits
Fruits are seed-bearing structures from the ovaries of plants. Fruits are high in and vitamins and minerals that are needed to fuel and build cells in our body. Fruits contains simple carbohydrates (sugars) which are easily broken down by digestive system. Unlike processed sugars, the fructose in fruit energizes and infuses with the cell without the need of insulin which is secreted by the pancreas to transport sugars from the blood into the cells. Fruits are slightly acidic but turn alkaline once broken inside the body.
Vegetables
Vegetables are the edible parts of plants that don’t contain seeds. Vegetables are highly nutritious and have complex amino acids that strengthen cells in the body. The complex amino acids are used to build proteins in the body that strengthen our muscles and joints. Vegetables are on the alkaline side of the PH scale and an essential part of a healthy diet.
Meat
Meat is the flesh of a dead animal. Meat is highly acidic and goes through a process called putrefaction in the intestinal track. Putrefaction is the decaying on an organism. The complex proteins in meat cannot all be processed by the body and rot inside the arteries causing plaque build up and uric acid. The decaying of flesh inside the body causes parasites that attach to cells and hack into various systems of the body. The body exerts a lot of energy breaking down meat leading to drowsiness or what most refer to as “the itis”.
Dairy
Dairy is a food product derived from the milk of a mammal. Dairy is acidic on the ph scale and has a similar effect as meat in the body. Dairy causes plaque in the arteries and causes a heavy mucous membrane response. Dairy also causes Uric acid build up inside the cells leading to inflammation and congestion.
Well, what can we eat?
Apple
Avocado
Apricots
Arugula
Banana
Basil
Beets
Bell Pepper
Cabbage
Citrus
Collard Greens
Dandelion
Dates
Figs
Fonio
French Fries
Ginger
Grapes
Green Beans
Honey Dew
Garbanzo Beans
Kale
Limes
Lettuce
Mango
Mushroom
Okra
Olives
Onion
Orange
Papaya
Peach
Pear
Plum
Prune
Raisins
Rye
Soursop
Spelt
Squash
Tamarind
Soursop
Wild Rice
Zucchini