Let them eat cake! According to legend, this is how Queen Marie Antoinette of France responded to the plight of peasants who didn’t have bread. Besides showing the sad disconnect between royalty and reality, the statement also points to the inescapable truth that just about everyone loves cake.
If you have the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, you know that you can eat all foods in the right balance. Cake, however, poses a slight challenge because its basic ingredients are mostly acidifying.
And I sometimes crave something sweet and mushy like cake, but at the same time, I’d rather it be perfectly balanced and bone healthy. Not long ago I discovered that my local supermarket was making fresh peanut butter at the deli counter. Enticed by the delicious smell, I decided to try some.
When I got home I opened the small plastic tub and tasted the creamy concoction. It was absolutely delicious! And right on my kitchen countertop was a large basket filled with fruit. I grabbed a banana, peeled it, and spread the peanut butter on it. It really tasted like cake! And the best part is that this delicious melange is a perfect 80/20 balance.
I still indulge and eat real cake every now and then, but the banana and peanut butter treat is my new guilt-free anytime cake substitute. I hope you’ll try it soon.
Enjoy it in good health!
Hi, I’m following the bone program and would like to know what safe mechanism can be used to measure bone density aside from bone density scan (ie fullbody xray). Thanks. Verna
Hi Vivian,
I ordered your book “Osteoporosis Reversal Program” last June 2011 because I wanted to have it on hand just in case I would need it someday. Guess what? I did a bone density test this past Monday and it appears I am loosing bone in my body. I was shocked. This is kind of scary to me. I read your e-mail today about saving our bones and had a good review of what it is all about. Today I took my book out and started really reading it. I even started on the exercises you provide in the book. I just hope I can go back to having strong bones again.
Thank you for all your wonderful information. I am beginning put it into practice.
Joyce
Hello Vivian,..I have purchased your book–Osteoporosis Reversal Program and enjoying it very much. I have a problem with some arthritis issues. I found a supplement called FlexMend. The ingredients in the product are: Regenasure Glucosamine HCI-1500mg,MSM 1500mg,Flex Support(Tumeric root,Curcumin C3 Complex+ 360 mg,Ginger Root,Boswellin+,Hyaluronic Acid,Futurebiotics BioAccelerators(BioPerine+, Ginger root extract, Trikatu, Digezyme+, Lactospore+)23mg..Other ingredients–Cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, stearic acid, vegetable stearate ginger oil,aqueous tablet coating….1)Can you tell me if these ingredients would be safe to take as I follow this program?? I just felt I needed something additional to help my arthritis….Also I have two other questions. 2)Is it ok to eat peanut butter? Or would it be better to eat almond butter? I noticed that you recommend banana dipped in peanut butter to replace cake. Your book states peanuts and peanut butter are in the high acid list…..Also in your book it states that all dishes (recipe samples)have a pH level between 4-6.5. 3)Don’t these numbers show high acid on the pH scale? I totally trust your judgement. Just need some answers…
Thank you. Cheri Palmer
I think the supplement you describe should be fine for the arthritis. The ‘other ingredients’ are probably there to get the active ones through your acid stomach contents and into the gut before they are released.
I have Type ‘O’ blood and the blood type diet recommends that Type ‘O’ s don’t eat peanuts at all, whereas people with Type A blood positively benefit from peanuts. Maybe you should play safe with Almond butter instead.
For your third question, there are two types of acidity that you need to consider – one is the aciditiy level of the food as you eat it – so for example lemon juices is acidic in the mouth and can damage tooth enamel but it also contains traces of potassium so when it is fully digested the acid in it all converts to carbon dioxide and water and your left with a residue containing potassium ions which will be alkaline and beneficial for the body.
Proteins foods are built from amino acids containing nitrogen and sometimes phosphorus and sulphur. During digestion elements create an acidic residue, which is the one that acidifies the body. Hope this helps
I love peanut butter and bananas together! And once in awhile I indulge and put them on cake.
Thanks Vivian for all your helpful advise. I have been on the program for a year, but haven’t had a dexa scan since so don’t know what improvements I’ve made. I had a friend tell me she has a Isagenic shake every morning for breakfast and she wants me to try it. What do you know about the Isagenic product. I love bananas and peanut butter thanks for the tip.
Evelyn
VIVIAN,
I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT A PRODUCT CALLED EZORB CALCIUM .
CAN YOU TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
THANK YOU
JANICE
I just recently tried roasted / seasalted hemp seeds . . . found them at a local health food market. I’m not aware of the specific nutritional values of this food but judging from the “extreme” high quality of other hemp products, I’d guess it’s very valuable nutritionally. – And they’re delicious! – for your salty / crunchy fix : ) And wothout a doubt, high in an excellent form of fiber . . . So I highly recommend trying this. If you can’t find them at your neighborhood health food market, ask them to get some
I read that hemp is a very low quality protein.
Yes but hemp oil provides valuable essential fatty acids, provided they are not damaged by heat when the seeds are roasted
Have to admit .. I am visually sensitive to information through pictures.
When seeing the cake picture and starting to read Viv’s blog.. I found myself excited that we would be getting something as appealing but
bone-happy.
To see the pic of the banana with peanut butter was somewhat anti-climatic but I got the point with a good chuckle.
Hello Vivian, As usual you tips are always good advice. I recently found a “new to me” peanut butter called Pressed Purity -no salt or sugar, chemical and preservative free – Ilook forward to trying it with a banana (it is also available in crunchy – and it tastes GOOD. It is an Australian owned and made product. Many Blessings – Kelsey.
Hi! Vivian,
I pay attention all your news about strong bones health and read carefully, in order to do the right way. About the sweet food, I eat only
on occasin, because my blood sugar is a little higher than the standard
point and also I have high bood presure, it is better to avoid sugar.
thank you . Nu
I’ve always eaten banana and peanut butter sandwiches as a kid and still do eat that combination, but now I cut out a “V” groove down the inside curve of the banana, eat that “V” secion I cut out and fill in the groove with peanut butter. Its DELICIOUS anytime !!
I switched to almond butter in my adult years ! I forgot to mention.
Although I dont participate in any particular diets I read about – I do like to read all the comments about food and ailments aids as I find them useful. The banana and butter peanut sounds delicious to me and I shall definitely try it despite the fact that banana is the least fruit I eat. I am always chewing on black grapes and oranges and this usually satisfies my sweet tooth. However, sometimes I need some dark chocolate to satisfy my sweet craving. I really enjoy reading all the comments on food and bone building methods. Thanmk you Vivien and all of you out there. Lin.
I’d rather have the raw peanuts than peanut butter, don’t really like the roasted-peanut flavor. I rarely eat regular bananas but like plantains (yellow-ripe, not green).
Thank for the tip i injoy both and do also love my sweets
I quit eating peanut butter some time ago after reading in a food/health column that peanut butter interferes with the reabsorption of calcium. What are your thoughts on that?
Did they explain the mechanism behind that? I usually don’t follow something unless I understand the mechanism. I would do some research and find out why that was said. I’ve never heard it. I am careful about eating peanut butter due to the aflatoxins in it, which is like mold and is what causes a lot of the allergies to peanuts. And when I tried to eat peanut butter with banana I lost all my cookies, if you get what I mean.
Peanuts are not nuts, they are legumes. The contain small amounts of phytic acid, which can impair the absorption of minerals. Keep in mind though that peanuts have less phytic acid than sesame seeds, almonds, corn, some beans, and oats. If you’re on the Save Our Bones nutritional plan, you’re getting plenty of minerals, so there’s no need to worry 🙂
Thanks Vivian;
Apple slices with peanut butter are favorites of mine; bananas with
peanut butter sandwiches were always good in a hurry.
I enjoy hearing what others write and that bones are made stronger.
Louise
Thanks, Vivian for all your tips. Funny, I am trying to bread myself of these kinds of snacks. Need to understand it all more. So confused! 🙁
Vivian,
I love all of your help keeping our bones strong and healthy. I was so looking forward to purchase your cook book, 80/20 bone friendly. Did I miss out on this? I know you could sell a million copies.
Thanks for all you do,
Pat Boyd
Vivian, i too would like something ‘ cakey ‘now and again -I don’t tolerate nuts as they stimulate the cold sore virus (so I have to keep my Lysine levels elevated). As I understand it, one’s main meal is more effectively absorbed with a gap of at least two hours before eating any fruit, so I have my fruit mid pm. What can I eat mid morning ? Commercial breads and crackers just leave me bloated. I make my own bread using more spelt and buckwheat flours and seeds etc.(Breakfast is quinoa and yoghurt,
toast with poached egg). By 11am I’m hungry !
Jillian
Jillian, you can try eating a fruit first in the morning. A little later you can have your usual breakfast.
Thought peanut buttr and bananas were fattening? Mary
Mary, fattening foods are typically highly processed foods that create an artificial craving for them, causing excessive consumption of those foods. Besides, calories do count. One small banana has around the same calories as one egg. What’s more, the healthy fats in peanut butter – or any other nut butter – keep you satiated for a long time 🙂
Hi! Vivian,
That SOUNDS GOOD TO ME! I LOVE BANANAS AND I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER TOO! AND IF I PUT THEM TOGETHER IT WILL MAKE A GREAT TREAT!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING THIS ARTICLE WITH US!
LOVE, MS. L. (LESLIE)
Sometimes I’ll have a sweet and sour dough rye with or without caraway seeds and topped with smooth or crunchy peanut butter or almond butter and sliced banana pieces on top !
Dear Vivian,I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate the Save The Bones information you send to me, it has so much good information that I can and have included into some of my daily routines,to help me live better and healthier. Thank you so much.
You’re very welcome, Daisy!
For many years, I have been drinking distilled water made from my home unit. Because the water is acidic, I have been adding various kinds of drops in order to make it alkaline. What is the best product and/or method to make distilled water alkaline?
As I explain in The Missing Link, Cheri, distilled water has an acid pH but it is slightly negatively charged, which helps drag the positively charged acidic toxins out of the body. I recommend adding a few drops of lemon juice to distilled water, in order to enhance its purification properties.
It’s nice to know I’m been doing it right. I gave up chocolate ice cream and caramel sauce and substituted sliced apples and bananas with a big spoonful of almond butter. I like it better then peanut butter. It’s freshly ground and has no additives. It is also an alkaline food so it is a win, win.
I lve peanut butter and banana on toast. Hope that doesn’t ruin the 80/20 balance! Very sustaining for breakfast, too.
Hardly like cake, but I get your point. By the way, Marie Antoinette never said that.
Quite right, Teresa, she said ‘Let them eat brioche’, which was peasant food then and cheaper to make. White bread was only eaten by the upper classes.
Brioche also contains eggs and butter…
Precisely, Teresa! That’s why I wrote “According to legend.” 🙂
Greetings,This is Thomas Higgins from Napa,California just Recently had (2)HeartAttacts in past few months and my Prescriptions that I,Take make my Bones Stiff when I,get up from sitting for a prelong period of time/lyingdown,have been taking a Supplement for 50+ People to take.What are your Susjestions to do.Thomas Higgins.
I used to love peanut butter smeared on a banana or on apple slices. After reading Save Our Bones, I switched to almond butter. I haven’t used peanut butter in almost one year. Almond butter is so delicious and so much healthier for you!
Unfortunately the banana raises my blood sugar too much. Do you have a low carb alternative for those of us with blood sugar issues?
While bananas have a relatively high glycemic index (GI), their glycemic load (GL)is a lot lower. The glycemic load measures the blood-sugar-raising power PER SERVING of food. The GI for one banana is around 47, but its GL is only 8. You can also try an apple, but it doesn’t have the texture of cake…
I don’t know much about glycemic indexes/loads but think I am hypoglycemic or something. I get extremely cold (especially fingers) and sometimes flushed. I will get blood tests at the end of July, but meantime I am really uncomfortable. I am trying to stay on a diet that works for my bones, but there are a lot of considerations. Any suggestions?
Bananas with peanut butter! That was supposely Elvis Presley’s favorite snack and his nemesis. Eat in moderation
Angela,
Most probably Elvis “Surrendered” to bananas and peanut butter because they were “Always on His Mind” and they “Made the World Go Away”…
Your sweet suggestion sounds delicious. However, it’s high in potassium which I am not allowed too much. In addition, sweets usually make me hungry for more. Luckily, chewing some parsley is usually my for sweet craving.
Wonderful Idea, especially when your on the run….Another idea, I use organic cake mix (chocolate or spice cake) and simply put 8 oz. of pure pumpkin in and the cake comes out moist and delicious.
Yep, and apple sauce in lieu of butter or other oils also adds flavor, alkalinity, and a soft texture to any cake.
That’s a great idea, so I could make my boiled fruit cake with apple sauce instead of butter or margarine, and stevia instead of sugar. If it works it would be a much healthier cake!
Hi Vivian,
I always look forward to your health tips concerning our bones. It helps to keep me on track , eating the right foods to keep my bones strong .
Since I came upon your website and following your program , my bone density has improved . My Dr. told me I had the bones of a 90 year old woman lol. Wasn’t he surprised!
Please keep educating us , as I am totally in your debt for the improved results of my bone health.
Great news, Gerri! Keep up with the program, and just watch your bones improve even more 🙂
Can’t do the peanut thing. Substitute?
There are so many other scrummy nut butters – cashew, pumpkin, almond, hazelnut, even hempseed. And thanks Vivian for the tip.
I love almond butter even better. Though I did have banana and crunchy peanut butter just two days ago.
Really find your emails very helpful and heartening, thank you
Sheila
Bananas with peanut butter was a staple in my house when I was growing up. It was sometimes what we ate for lunch. Although it isn’t anything like cake to me, I do love bananas and peanut butter. I sometimes have it after a really busy and active day to satisfy my larger than usual hunger pangs. Recently I tried bananas with sunflower butter. That’s good too!