To help stay on the right track with your bone health, it’s important you know not only what helps you; you also need to know which foods you should avoid.
So here are the three foods that literally eat your bones away. Let’s get started…
1. Cured meats
If you follow the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, you know that all meat, poultry, and fish are acidifying foods. Therefore, you should have them in moderation and in balance with alkalizing foods.
But processed meats or cold cuts – including bacon and the ever-so-popular hot dogs – are the most acidifying of all animal proteins mainly because of a preservative, color, and flavor enhancer commonly used: sodium nitrite. In increasingly rare instances, sodium nitrate is also used, but the end result is the same since it is converted into nitrites by microorganisms present in the digestive system.
Nitrites combine with the amine portion of broken down proteins to form nitrosamines, which are confirmed carcinogens and potent acidifiers.
And the scope of this problem is huge. According to a Public Health Reports article, “About 10 billion pounds of cured meat products are produced annually, accounting for some one-tenth of the American food supply.”1
The main role of sodium nitrate is to prevent botulism, and the fear of contamination is most likely what keeps this product in use to this very day. According to Dr. William Lijinsky of the National Cancer Institute, “the concentration of nitrites in cured meats is much higher than in anything else.”2
Some vegetables, including spinach, beets, radishes, cabbage,and celery to name a few, contain nitrates, both naturally and due to the application of nitrogenous fertilizers. But thanks to the Vitamin C naturally present in vegetables, nitrosamine formation is inhibited.3 The same cannot be said about cured meats, of course.
Use This Instead
There are other methods of curing meat as a replacement for sodium nitrate. So make sure you read the labels carefully, and always try to balance these foods with alkalizing dishes.
2. Processed sugars
Sugar consumption in the U.S. has skyrocketed in the last decade, with an average yearly consumption per person of well over 150 pounds a year. All variations of table sugar are acidifying, but the worst offenders are the refined and bleached kind – the most common granular sugar, both white and brown. A variety of toxic chemicals are used to bleach it, including sulphur dioxide and phosphoric acid.
Besides tissue acidification, there are more ways by which this sweet – and extremely unhealthy food – can hurt your bones:
- Glucose, which is the end product of sugar, competes with Vitamin C for its active transport. This Foundation Supplement is essential to bone health.
- Sugar causes a deficiency of another Foundation Supplement: copper, a trace mineral necessary to produce connective tissue proteins, collagen, and elastin.4
- It interferes with calcium and magnesium absorption, both of which are Foundation Supplements as you probably know by now.5
Use This Instead
Try to stick as much as possible to honey and Stevia, since both are alkalizing. If you wish to use sugar, then go for brown rice syrup, turbinado raw sugar, or maple syrup. They are less acidifying than ‘regular’ table sugar.
3. Bleached flour
In the Osteoporosis Reversal Program wheat is listed as an acidifying food, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have it. However, I urge you to stay away from bleached flour.
We all know that wheat is not white, yet for some mysterious reason, flour manufacturers seem to think that it should be. So applying their skewed logic, the ‘logical’ solution is to bleach it using toxic and acidifying chemicals such as chlorine dioxide or benzoyl peroxide.
Unfortunately, that’s not all; alloxan is a byproduct of the flour bleaching process. It is a uric acid derivative and believe it or not, alloxan is used to induce diabetes in laboratory animal experiments because it destroys the insulin-producing cells.
As if this were not enough, the milling process removes the most nutritious parts of the wheat berry, so unlike whole wheat flour, bleached flour is just about all made of starch. According to the USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory, in comparison to whole wheat flour, white flour contains approximately:
- Less than 50% of calcium
- Only 17% of magnesium
- 25% of zinc
- 40% copper
- 18% manganese
And guess what: all of these minerals are Foundation Supplements that nourish your bones.
Use this instead
Stick to whole wheat or sprouted bread. You can also try millet bread, which is alkalizing.
So there you have it. Stay healthy, stay informed, and ‘save your bones’.
References
1 McCutcheon JW. “Nitrosamines in bacon: a case study of balancing risks.” Public Health Reports. 1984 Jul-Aug;99(4):360-4.
2 https://www.nytimes.com/1981/12/23/garden/the-nitrite-question-what-can-you-eat.html?pagewanted=all
3 https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/f-w00/nitrosamine.html
4 Fields, M.., et al. Effect of Copper Deficiency on Metabolism and Mortality in Rats Fed Sucrose or Starch Diets, Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1983;113:1335_1345.
5 Lemann, J. Evidence that Glucose Ingestion Inhibits Net Renal Tubular Reabsorption of Calcium and Magnesium. Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1976 ;70:236_245.
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10 Signs That Your Sugar Intake Is Too HighComments on this article are closed.
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Hi Vivian,
Last time we spoke you mentioned a cook book with recipes you where working on , is that available now. Also what about Gluten free Breads I have Celiac and am eating more alkaline but would enjoy a piece of bread from time to time thanks. If you think they are horrible I can stay away haha…
Thanks so much for everything!!
Susan
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I have the pre-condition of osteoporosis: osteopathy or bone spurs.
I too don’t want procedures nor drugs but want to understand why my bones are growing spurs. This is a very interesting site and would like to interchange with others who may have the same condition.
Have started a gluten-free diet and will cut off chicken and fish which is my normal diet….but I realized that have also been eating a lot of breah (whole wheat) and preserved meats. NO MORE!
Regards,
Gemma -
I am 57 post menopausal woman with osteoporosis mostly in the spine T-3 to -4 in the vertebrae.
My doctor is recommending actenol. in addition to weight bearing exercise, no alcohol, carbonated beverages, no more energy drinks, vitamin c and vitamin d (2000mg).What do you think of actenol?
Thanks,
Therese-
I have the same condition for the past 2 years , 2 weeks ago I repeated the bone density test and found out my bone level 6.4 less than 2 years ago with actonel and calcium and good diet too, I don’t know what to do now to boost it up and prevent more damage in the feature.
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excellent information
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I gained back some bone mass (from 85% to 95%) simply by eliminating pasteurized dairy and cutting way down on sugar, including natural fruit juice. I also take Vitamin D supplements, drink lots of water, and avoid soda pop like the plague. I wish I could tell you I ate lots of greens and had a great exercise program, but that’s not the case. Nevertheless, I was able to get some bone back by doing those few things. I’m also menopausal and taking bio-identical hormones.
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Doctor D’Adamo recommends 11 servings of meat, poultry and fish weekly. please tell me your response.
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with that much meat i wonder if he has his hand in the animal farmin industry.
We don’t need that much meat. It is hard for us to digest and I wouldn’t concider that in moderation.
I have fish 1 time a week chicken 1 time a week and no beef or pork ever. Mainly becasue it makes me feel better and i dont have a gallbladder.
Have been doing a lot more raw but need to add more health fats like seeds and nuts along with my coconut and avacodo.
Eveyones body is differnt. I am sure more people can eat a little more meat than me but my body says “NO” and sometimes it says it really loud..lol..
It’s all in Balance… never have a ton of anything and try to include a little of everything..
unless your me an pork is completly out of the question.
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I had a very serious Osteoporosis 10 years ago.
I was 64 at that time and my husband get a first stroke. I was sick all my life (I’m a Holocoust surviver). After the war Doctors said to people that saved my life that if I’ll get 12 years I’ll stay alive. At age 33 I have been told that in maximum 5 years I’ll be paralyse. In age 42 I stay a half year in Hospital with Pemphigus Vulgaris (autoimunnic crinic deasise) and that for rest of my life a have to be on Steroids. When my husband get stroke I decided that somebody ought to be healthy, so I started to read books (a lot of them) and start to change my life. I eat heakthy food I exercise and today I feel better than I was 18, after 23 years of steroids today I am healthy, energetic, happy and I have very light Osteoporosis. I stoped Fosalan a years ago, lost 13 kg and nobody gives me 74 years. They ask me what I did that I look so good, almost without wrinkles. I get care of my husband that can’t even walk. Everything is in food: the good and the bad depends on what we eat. Good For You.
Hana Batista -
What about Zylitol instead of sugar? Is it alkalizing just as Stevia or honey?
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Read article about processed sugars beins acidyfying. I am diabetic and use agave nectar a lot in baking and as a substitute for syrup and honey. Agave nectar was not mentioned in list of acceptable natural sugars. I like agave because it is low on glycemic index. Is this acceptable as far as you are concerned?
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I am taking a natural suppliment called Athrex which Dr. Jane Chapman supplies along with fish oil. Should I be taking green lip muscle omega three or does its source matter? Though I have been taking these daily I am still experiencing swelling and joint deformaty in my fingers – particularly the right hand. Should I up my intake of my suppliments? I will avoid cured meat, white flour and sugar altogether now. How can I stop this on-going problem before my hands are so ugly that I have to hide them all the time? Is it too late for improvement? The problem with my fingers has escallated in previous months and I thought I had it all covered with my suppliments. I am around 80kgs, eat well, have a healthy immnune system, excercise daily and have no problems elsewhere. Any suggestions? Many thanks for you help.
Lynne -
Nobody has mentioned molasses. I like a tsp in some hot water as a nightcap occasionally. Is this acceptable healthwise?
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I am no expert but molasses has some nice qualities like minrals iron calcium.
https://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=118
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On another topic. I found out that the Diabetes Essential Products, also known as Nutrition 21 have gone off the market I’m sorry to say.It did me a lot of good taking it and I was promoting to diabetics. I’m not diabetic myself but was in the danger zone of getting it 4 years ago and have been doing my part to help others with the problem and using in hope to find a cure for diabetes.
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I usually eat brown bread. I don’t eat sausages.Thanks.
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Please check out the difference among plant-based calcium and products like citracel and let us know.
Any benefits to fermented yeast?
Thanks!
Linda -
I have been reading your comments on line for months, then finally purchased the program.
Mahalo (in Hawaii means Thank you) I have finally started to exercise and allow my body to produce
the necessary vitamin D. also I have not eaten a hot dog since reading about it no no no for processed foods. I got a little pain in my Sitz bone, so I just ordered INSTAFLEX. Is this good for your bone density also as they claim? -
The Save our Bones Program has been great for me. I only took 4 weeks of the fosamax cound not take it I broke out in a rash was always sick to my stomach for most of the day (the day I took it)had a head ache every day. Then I found the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, ordered it that day (5-26-11) My life has been so much better. I am learning to eat right and I know I can reverse my osteororosis. Thank you Vivian Goldschmidt.
Marilyn Blackwell -
Your articled had such important information that I think such information should be taught since at least junior high. Knowledge about how to prevent osteoporosis might have helped me 30 years ago!
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I love all the great info I get from this program, but have a lot of trouble with the diet part of it because I am on a low oxylate diet. It is so hard to eat healthy, let alone for my bones! Any suggestions out there? Thanks!
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Hi Vivian, I’ve been eating shredded wheat which has no salt or sugar added. It also contains many vitamins, minerals, etc.What is BHT which is added to it?
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What Does The Drug “LEVETIRACETAM” DO TO YOUR BONES? PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ONE SEIZURE MEDICATION IS BETTER FOR YOUR BONES? … I AM BEING TOLD THAT I HAVE TO STAY ON A SEIZURE MEDICATION BECAUSE OF A SERIOUS HEAD INJURY.
I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP ON THIS. -
I was wonder ing if white and yellow squash is alkalizing or acidifying?
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I’M 83 AND FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS LIVED WITH THE COMPLICATIONS OF MRSA, (HOSPITAL CONNECTED) AND THE SIDE EFFECTS OF A WHIPPLE PROCEDURE FOR WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE A BENIGN PANCREATIC MASS. AMONG OTHER THINGS I’VE HAD 12 JOINT REPLACEMENTS IN THAT PERIOD, ONE LEG AMPUTATED AND MOVE ABOUT IN A WHEEL CHAIR.
PRIOR TO MY 70’S I WAS VERY ACTIVE. PLAYED RUGBY UNTIL 40, RAN MY LAST TRIATHLON WHEN I WAS 70. I NEED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LIVING WITH A COMPROMISED BODY AND FIND YOUR INFORMATION VERY INTERESTING AND HOPEFULLY HELPFUL.
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I’ve been taking one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar twice a day for 1 1/2 years (per a friend’s suggestion) – it’s alkalizing and helps with the pH. It’s best to take with a little water – otherwise it is quite strong in the throat. Also, rinse your mouth or eat food after to remove the vinegar from your mouth. It’s not a cure-all but does help swing the pH in the right direction.
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This also (for me) has the effect of eliminating my arthritis.
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Would brown rice bread be a good choice?
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i would be careful with wheat and gluten by products celiac disease is what caused me to have bone loss. even though you don’t check positive for it you still may have it.
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is gluten free good for your bones?
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Excellent article, with specific reasons as to exactly WHY you should avoid these 3 foods.
Could you research and write an article about
fermented soy?Thanks!
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Tofu, soybeans, etc are unfermented & thus contain forms of estrogens which can cause all sorts of problems & should be avoided. The majority of soy grown in the United States is GMO so no matter what use only organic, but regarding you question…From what I’ve been told, fermented soy is the only type one should ever eat. No estrogens as fermentation breaks them down. Natto is one type of fermented soy. It has been a food staple in the Orient for centuries. It is supposed to be ridiculously good for you, though I heard that many people can’t bear the taste. Personally, I’ve never tried it.
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Thank you Vivian,
Shula -
Another detailed report with not only why (and why not), but alternatives. The best kind of re-education – and peace of mind, which is your speciality.
Thank you so very much for all your good work.
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Vivian, could you comment sometime on Balsamic Vinegar? I love it on so many things and I’m wondering how it reacts with the body. Even though it would seem to be acidic, I’m hoping it’s like lemons and turns out to be good. Thank you.
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From what I’ve found, the across-the-board consensus is that balsamic vinegar is low acid forming. (Many times when you search the Internet, a certain food may be listed slightly different site to site)
Low acid-forming means that it’s not alkaline-forming, not neutral, but not the worst high acid-forming either. Depending how much you use, how often you use it & what food combinations you’re using it with may dictate whether you would wish to give it up or continue to use it in moderation. Keep in mind that no one drinks balsamic vinegar straight a drink (ewh!) or as a dish, such as a soup (double ewh!). It is used in or on other food (yum!) so its use could easily be considered to be in moderation.
I don’t think our goal should be to eliminate every single acid forming food from our diet. That would be overkill & could actually lead to alkalosis, which can have drastic health consequences of its own. No. We are simply trying to balance our diet to cause our bodies become more alkaline, in the normal range it should be. That’s why it’s best to test pH.-
70% alkaline, 30& acid
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VIVIAN,I AM 68 YRS. OLD & HAVE OSTEOPOROSIS. I AM RECOVERING FROM A COMPRESSION VERTABRA FRACTURE.I HAVE TAKEN FOSAMAX & FORTAO & I FEAR
THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.I EAT GOOD,TAKE VIT D,
MAGNESIUM& CORAL CALCIUM. I WALK,RIDE BIKE,USE
BANDS &LIGHT WEIGHTS BUT NOTHING HAS HELPED.IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE PROLIA.I NEED HELP,THANKS JANICE-
My husband took Fosamax 10 years ago, & last year when he had Caterac (?) Surgery on the back of his eyes, it took the Eye Surgeon Dr. 1 1/2 hours to do it, & he has a lot of scars on the back of his eyes.
The same surgery on me took only 30 minutes.
They still advertise it on TV , but the Dr. said they really should take it off the TV.-
Catarac surgery is to remove the clouded lens of the eye (in the front of the eye) and put in an artificial one. If the back of the eye was operated on, something else was happening…you might want to contact the ophthalmic surgeon who did the operation for a clarification.
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Maybe the doctor said back of lens, not back of the eye. A ‘cataract’ is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope. This lens is at the front of the eye and cataract surgery is done exclusively on the lens area. The retina is at the back of the eye. Scar formation on the retina is common, but not in conjuction with cataracts since viscous fluid fills the eyeball separating the two structures. One possible post-surgery complication is, however, retinal detachment (not scarring). Either way, I believe maybe the terminology or the description of your husband & your surgery is mixed up, though I may very well be the one who is mistaken, as I am not a doctor.
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Hi! Vivian,
Another Great Article. Thank You SO VERY MUCH For Sharing It With Me! It Really Means A Lot.
LOVE, MS. L.
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Vivian!
Love your comments and your Save Our Bones plan. I ordered a reduced price copy but have not received it yet!
Also, what is your opinion about using Agave as a sugar substitute?!
Thank you so much!
Nancy Henninger -
Dear Vivian….of all the places I’ve looked you are the only one I’ve seen telling the truth about the cause of bone loss. You were right on about the foods that cause so much damage. I even know how your treatment works, and again your right on target. Thanks again for being truthful and honest and not trying to rip people off.
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Hi Vivian,
Thank you so much for supporting all of us toward healthier bones. You are great
I was going to order the program and was to have free shipping, but it still showed the cost with shipping when I was about to order. Please tell me how to receive free shipping on my order.
Best regards and many blessings!
Loretta Walker -
Hello Vivian I am presenlty following your program to Save my bones! A nutritionist friend of mine advocates strontium for rebuilding bones. I find this in your book’s index but not as a recommended supplement. What is your information? Thank you
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I have been following your program for over a year. I rarely eat meat and never eat beef. My ph test is always at 70 and my doctor said it one of the best he has seen. However I just suffered a compression fracture in my spine and have severly thin bones. I am only 72, so what can I do now. My spine is curving and I don’t like it. Thanks, Liz
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PRIOR TO THE WW2, ALL BREAD WAS WHEAT. THE GVT. DECIDED IT NEEDED TO REMOVE THE “WHEAT GERM” SO OUR ‘SOLDIERS’COULD HAVE “HEALTHY” FIELD RATIONS. THE ADVERTISERS DID A “WONDERFUL” JOB OF CONVINCING THE PUBLIC THE NEW WHITE BREAD WAS “EVEN BETTER” WHILE ALSO PATRIOTIC. BY THE TIME THE WAR WAS OVER, FOLKS WERE USED TO IT. IT TURNED OUT TO BE MORE FINANCIALLY BENEFICIAL TO PRODUCERS. EVEN AS A CHILD, I DIDN’T LIKE THE WHITE BREAD. BUT THE NEW WHEAT WAS SOMEHOW LACKING. IT NEVER SEEMED AS GOOD AS BEFORE, I’VE HAD TO REALLY SHOP AROUND TO FIND GOOD BREAD, OR MADE MY OWN. MY SIX KIDS ALWAYS PREFERED MINE ALSO. ~~~ I TRIED TO PURCHASE SOMETHING FROM YOUR SITE. IT REFUSED TO ACCEPT MY ‘CARD’ (SEVERAL TIMES) EVEN THO I USE IT REGULARLY WITH NO PROBLEM. SO I WILL JUST CONTINUE TO READ WHAT YOU HAVE HERE. I FEEL SAD ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR FOOD SUPPLY AND WHAT IS OFFERED TO US IN STORES. I TRULY BELIEVE THE OLD SAYING, “I AM WHAT I EAT.” AT AGE 78, MY BODY IS NOT IN AS GOOD SHAPE AS I WOULD LIKE IT TO BE, BUT I DO THE BEST I CAN. THANKS FOR LISTENING. BEVERLY
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Hi Vivian, Love your stuff! Hope you can leave your video up just a bit longer–like thru next week? I want my husband to see it too and that will be the first opportunity.
Thanks for all the good info. BTW, you have not listed xylitol as a good sugar…shouldn’t that be on the list as well? Thanks again for your help. DLW -
What about coffee…?
I love moccha (expresso mixed with hot chocolate).Is it eating my bones ?
Thanks,
Louise-
yes – what about coffee?
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My idea of a dessert after dinner is a single serving of espresso with a bit of raw sugar or, maybe some anisette. I hope that such a small portion would not be eating my bones.
Marilyn H
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Sounds delish, Louise. I am a coffee lover, and drink it every day without fear of it ‘eating my bones’ away.
Check out how I do it here:https://saveourbones.com/drink-this-not-that-for-better-bone-health/
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Thanks Vivian.
Louise
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Regarding sweeteners what is your opinion of Agave? I heard honey has a high GI index and that agave does not.
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I would like to know your thoughts about agave for a subsitute sweetner.
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Nancy, agave is high in fructose – in some cases and depending on the processing – up to 100%.
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Trader Joes has Raw Organic Blue Agave.
Ingredients: “Organic Agave Nectar (Amber)”
Is this O.K.?-
Kay,
Doesn’t matter if Agave is Organic, it is Still High Fruitose .I also bought it from Trader Joe’s thinking it was ok, But it’s NOT..Plus its just as Artery Cloging as eating high fruitose corn surup.
I threw mine out.
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That sounds good. Can you share the recipe with the rest of us?
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I mean for the sweet potato apple muffins!
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Thank you for the updates! I was not aware of how awful processed meats were, we rarely eat anyway but…. Thanks for the other tips as well and especially the alternatives!
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You’re welcome! And remember… always read the labels…
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Stevia has worked for me over more than four years. The fact that does not rise my glucose, it is alkaline, and sweetens wonderful, and most of all, it is not expensive; makes me a faithful user. After taste? Maybe in the beggining, or, they may have worked it out that i don’t taste it any more. And it is very easy to purchase it. Choosing my battles wisely let me have more time for the most crucial ones in life.
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I don’t care for stevia. It has an aftertaste. The woman at my vitamin store suggested xylitol. I tasted it and thought it was much closer to a sugar taste. What can you tell us about xylitol?
Thank you!-
Linda, check my answer #10 in Vivian Answers Day #15. Here’s the link:
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Spelt bread is a really good alternative and is supposed to be alkalizing, although pricey. I’ve made sweet potatoe apple muffins from the flour with great results.
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Sounds yummy, Susan…
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thank you for the information on the 3 foods to avoid. Meat, sugar, white bread. I have ordered your book but only recieved your book. But I was suppose to receive the other material as well. How do I recieve the other material as well?? Thank you !! love you for all your efforts to help people.
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Michael, you should have received an email right after placing your order. In it, there is a link to download the digital material. But don’t worry… simply contact my support staff, and they’ll re-send it.
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I have a cute story about white and wheat bread. I volunteer at a therepetic riding center for disabled children, I have a horse buddy there-I take him special treats and TLC.
I went to give him a special treat one day-whole wheat bread-there was some white bread on the floor under his feeding trough. I put the whaet bread in the trough and then put the white bread on top. He picked up all the white bread with his lips and dropped it on the ground and then proceeded to eat the wheat bread. Even horses know what is good for them.-
I love your story! So you’re getting nutritional advice straight from the horse’s mouth 🙂
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my pulmo doctor said I cannot do away without steroid while taking antibiotic for pneumonia treartment… lesser evil he says…
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Honey contains the same monosaccharides as sugar. So how can you claim that it is better than sugar?
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True, Heidi. Ultimately, all forms of sugar end up as glucose. However, honey is alkalizing and – especially if raw – it contains valuable nutrients.
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hi vivian,
i found out i’m allergic to true osteo. what can i take instead?