What's Wrong with "Politically Correct" Nutrition?
by Sally Fallon

Are you confused about nutrition? Most people are. Thanks to popular media, most North Americans have come to believe that many foods, used as staples for centuries, are unhealthy. But cancer, infertility, learning disabilities, heart disease, and depression are more prevalent today than ever before. A close examination of politically correct nutritional tenets reveals that the "modern" diet is very likely destroying the health of many people. Below are listed some politically correct nutritional tenets, and following each one is an explanation of why they may no longer be appropriate.

Avoid saturated fats?

Saturated fats play many important roles in the body. They provide integrity to the cell membrane, enhance the body's use of essential fatty acids, enhance the immune system, protect the liver, and contribute to strong bones. Saturated fats do not cause heart disease. In fact, saturated fats are the preferred food for the heart. Your body makes saturated fats out of carbohydrates.

Limit cholesterol?

Dietary cholesterol contributes to the strength of the intestinal wall and helps babies and children develop a healthy brain and nervous system. Foods that contain cholesterol also provide many other important nutrients. Only oxidized cholesterol, found in powdered milk and eggs, contributes to heart disease. In some countries, powdered milk is added to 1% and 2% milk.

Use more polyunsaturated oils?

Polyunsaturates in more than small amounts contribute to cancer, heart disease, autoimmune diseases, learning disabilities, intestinal problems, and premature aging. Large amounts of polyunsaturated fats are new to the human diet, due to the modern use of commercial liquid vegetable oils.

Avoid red meat?

Red meat is a rich source of nutrients that protect the heart and nervous system including vitamins B12 and B6, zinc, phosphorus, carnitine, and Coenzyme Q10.

Cut back on eggs?

Eggs are nature's perfect food, providing excellent protein, the gamut of nutrients and important fatty acids that contribute to the health of the brain and nervous system. Americans had less heart disease when they ate more eggs. Egg substitutes cause rapid death in test animals.

Eat lean meat and drink low-fat milk?

Lean meat and low-fat milk lack fat-soluble vitamins needed to assimilate protein and minerals in meat and milk. Consumption of low-fat foods can lead to depletion of vitamin A and D reserves.

Limit fat consumption to 30% of calories?

30% calories as fat is too low for most people, leading to low blood sugar and fatigue. Traditional diets contained 40% to 80% of calories as healthy fats, mostly of animal origin.

Eat 6 to 11 servings of grains per day?

Most grain products are made from white flour, which is devoid of nutrients. Additives in white flour can cause vitamin deficiencies. Whole grain products can cause mineral deficiencies and intestinal problems unless properly prepared.

Restrict salt?

Salt is crucial to digestion and assimilation. Salt is also necessary for the development and functioning of the nervous system.

At least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day?

Fruits and vegetables receive an average of 10 applications of pesticides, from seed to storage. Consumers should seek out organic produce. Quality counts!

Eat more soy foods?

Modern soy foods block mineral absorption, inhibit protein digestion, depress thyroid function, and contain potent carcinogens.

To find out more, come and hear Sally Fallon in person! She will present a lecture entitled "Dirty Secrets of Modern Food Processing" on Thursday, March 15, at 7:30 pm at Thom Collegiate in Regina, and a weekend full of information at Calling Lakes Centre in Fort Qu'Appelle, March 16-18, entitled "Seeking Sustenance: Radically Rethinking Nutrition." Phone (306) 332-5691 or (306) 489-4507 for details. Sally Fallon is the author of Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook That Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats. She serves as the founding president of the Weston A. Price Foundation (www.westonaprice.org) and founder of A Campaign for Real Milk (www.realmilk.com), a group that has recently been very involved with the raw milk controversy in Ontario. Also see the display ad on page 23 of the 12.6 March/April issue of the WHOLifE Journal.