Are You Suffering From "Food Poisoning?"

Food Poisoning? When we hear the scary words "food poisoning," we usually think of a sudden illness caused by eating a "bad" microorganism in a single contaminated food. Dr. John McDougall shows that common chronic illnesses are also caused by eating "bad" food--much of it regularly served at our dinner tables. Our food is literally poisoning us! Many illnesses can be prevented and reversed by eating the right foods. In his newest online book, Dr. McDougall has made it easy for us to know which foods are causing us to be overweight and sick.

Say No to Disease-Promoting Foods! “Food Poisoning” is the Root Cause of Many Health Conditions!

A few examples are listed below:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• Arthritis
• GERD
• Constipation
• Some types of cancer

As a child, you may have played the game “Red Light/Green Light” where one player would call out "red light!" or "green light!" while the others would either stop or go, making their way to the finish line. Dr. McDougall’s Color Picture Book: Food Poisoning uses the same idea of a traffic light to help people understand how to choose the foods that will make them illness-free and vibrant. The remedy is to eat the foods with a “green light” and avoid the ones with a “red light.”

"Red Light" Foods

• Meat (cows, pigs, lambs, deer, buffalos, whales, etc.)
• Poultry (chicken, turkey, ducks, etc.)
• Fish (salmon, tuna, trout, perch, etc.)
• Shellfish (lobster, shrimp, crab, etc.)
• Eggs (chicken, goose, duck, ostrich, etc.)
• Milk (cow, goat, sheep, camel, etc.)
• Cheese, (cow, goat, sheep, camel, etc.)
• Butter or margarine (even Earth Balance, Smart Balance)
• Fake meats and cheeses (hot dogs, sausages, burgers, lunch meats, cheeses, ice-creams)
• Vegetable oils (corn, flaxseed, olive, safflower, etc.)

"Yellow Light" Foods

• Tofu and other minimally processed soy
• Nuts and seeds
• Avocado
• Salt, natural sugars, some spices

"Green Light" Foods

• Whole grains
• Beans - legumes
• Whole grain breads/pasta
• Starchy vegetables
• Non-starchy vegetables
• Fruits

"Red Light" Foods = Stop = Don’t Eat These!

All animal foods and oils get a red light. Dr. McDougall points out that animal foods are laden with microbes and environmental toxins as well as being high in cholesterol and fat. Futher, because they contain no fiber, they won't fill you up, thus causing you to overeat in order to be satisfied. Like animal foods, oils are also a calorie-dense food that packs far too much energy for the small amount of stomach space it occupies. Dr. McDougall emphasizes that "The fat you eat is the fat you wear."

"Yellow Light" Foods = Caution = Eat Sparingly!

Foods that fall in the yellow light category might be surprising to someone who is not familiar with the Starch-Smart® System. Nuts and seeds, avocados, dried fruits and minimally-processed soy like tofu, are all foods that promote well-being, but only if used sparingly. Minimally processed soy products, like tofu, are naturally higher in fat and calories and so use it as a condiment only, not a main course. Nuts, seeds, and avocad

os are likewise naturally high in good fats, but like all fats will cause weight gain if used too freely. Dehydration turns dried fruits into concentrated foods. The high natural sugar content and low water content make dried fruit a high calorie food that provides quick energy, yet if eaten by itself dried fruit is not satisfying enough to be considered an ideal food. Each of the foods in the yellow light category--if eaten to satisfaction--would yield too many calories for optimal weight maintenance.

"Green Light" Foods = Go = Eat These!

Green light foods provide satiety by filling the stomach completely, they supply abundant strength and energy, and offer powerful protection against disease. Whole grains (cereal, breads, pancakes, and pasta), white and sweet potatoes, beans (soups, burritos, other ethnic foods), vegetables (salads, soups, oil-free stir fries, steamed), and fruits are all green light foods that promote superior health. These plant-based foods take the energy from the sun and nutrients from the soil and deliver them directly to your body when you eat them. "[Starches] are very low in fat with no cholesterol. They are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Starches are essential to satisfy your appetite and they make you trim, strong, and healthy," says Dr. McDougall. Vegetables and fruits likewise supply necessary fiber, vitamins, and minerals as well as adding interest through their varied flavors, colors, and textures.

Dr. McDougall’s Food Poisoning slide presentation can be viewed here. Click here to view it in other languages. Or for a more detailed explanation, view Dr. McDougall’s video presentation about Dr. McDougalls Color Picture Book on Food Poisining and how to cure it.

Start watching at ten minutes and 37 seconds for the coloring book: 

Say Yes to Health-Promoting Foods!

Eating to promote vibrant health, energy, and longevity means enjoying your food and eating a lot of it. But as Dr. McDougall points out, it's got to be the right foods - like intact grains, whole grain breads/pastas, beans, vegetables, fruits, and a small (optional) addition of nuts/seeds, tofu, and avocado as condiments. For more details on disease prevention or reversal regarding individualized needs, see Dr. Carney's Starch-Smart® System.