BeanDiet

So guys, I just read this:

A new study shows that Asian men have a better chance of surviving prostate cancer, compared with white men. Researchers tracked prognostic factors and survival among a total of 116,916 non-Hispanic whites and six Asian subgroups (Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, South Asian, and Vietnamese) diagnosed with prostate cancer in California between 1995 and 2004.

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Interesting. Of course, it could be that Asian men in California smoke less or work out more... but I highly doubt that. In fact, when you think of an "Asian man", what does he look like? Immediately, I picture a man that's pretty thin compared to a white American man.

Now, when you picture what those Asian men eat when they sit down to dinner, what do you see? Do you see a huge chicken or steak at the center of the plate, surrounded by a vegetable or potato side dish? Of course not, because that's called "American food". You probably imagine something more in the way of vegetables and noodles, or vegetables and rice, since that's the kind of stuff we get when we eat at Asian restaurants. Oh yeah, and tea on the side.

So it make sense why Asian men would be more likely to survive prostate cancer since they're eating all the things that build our immune system: antioxidants, phytochemicals, fiber... and they're eating much lower amounts of what can cause cancer: hormone-filled dairy products and meat, saturated fat, cholesterol to name a few.

So this weekend, celebrate Labor Day by eating some Asian food. Then, get a good Asian style cookbook so you can eat this way more often if you don't already.

Well, I know my first post about poop was quite popular (even though you were too afraid to admit it)... I recently had some more revelations about this subject and am excited to share them with you.

First, even though I am a nutritionist, I am about to write on something not "directly" under my expertise: these are mere thoughts and reflections on poop and our bodies.

Did you know that most people poop first thing in the morning? And, if they poop twice a day (a rare feat in these fiberless times), the second is usually after they've begun to rest. For instance, getting home from work, sitting down to read a book, or lying down just before bed?

Why should I care? you ask.

Well, there's a relationship here: resting and pooping. The body not being stressed and elimination. First thing in the morning is when our bodies are most relaxed.

Which begs the question: is it difficult to poop when we're stressed? Of course. That's why we say we have a hard time "staying regular" when we travel. Traveling can be fun, but our bodies are not relaxed: they're constantly in a new environment, and that's not relaxing for them.

What's also interesting is when our bodies are at rest, other good things happen. Our immune system is boosted. Our bodies produce good hormones. If we get in an accident, the person who's asleep (or drunk) is MUCH less likely to be injured. Actors know that if they have a scene that requires a fall, they totally relax their body, and they won't get hurt. Pregnant women go into labor when? Usually in the proverbial middle of the night, when they are most relaxed.

In other words, our bodies were made to be relaxed, to breathe deeply, and to be at peace. I've preached about eating healthy, now I command you.... to relax.

In honor of the new animated film (which I hope to see one of these days), I'd like to share with you the actual recipe for this French stew. All the vegetables it calls for are in season, so now's the time to make it. I serve it over whole wheat couscous.

Ratatouluille:

1/4 cup olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 medium eggplants, or enough to make 4 cups chopped into 1/2" cubes
3 cloves garlic
2-3 cups chopped tomatoes
4 cups chopped zucchini or summer squash
2 green peppers, diced or sliced
salt to taste

In a large skillet or wok, heat oil and saute onion until translucent. Add eggplant and garlic, stir, and saute for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add squash, peppers. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Stir in tomatoes at the end and cook a few more minutes.

BTW: My husband, who seems to like very few vegetables, actually loved this dish. It tastes best with a certified extra virgin olive oil - which costs more, but its flavor permeates the entire dish. Yum.

I apologize again, dear blog readers, for my lack of recent blogging. Since you are so faithful, I want to be completely honest about my disappearance of late. I am working on a new book proposal.

See, at least I'm writing.

But it's a lot of work, and much more labor intensive than blogging. This book will actually be a revision of my old one, The UnDiet, but updated: longer, fuller, and hopefully much more helpful. It's primarily about weight loss, but will cover related nutrition subjects as well.

But enough about me... What do you think of me? :)

Here's the latest interesting info:

Western Diet Linked to Birth Defects

A new study from the Netherlands that analyzed the diets of 381 mothers found that a Western diet is linked to birth defects. Those women with a “Western dietary pattern,” characterized by high intakes of organ meat, red meat, processed meat, pizza, legumes, potatoes, French fries, condiments, and mayonnaise, but low intakes of fruits had a higher risk of a cleft lip or cleft palate among their offspring. Women who consumed the greatest amount of these foods had nearly double the risk compared with those who consumed the least.

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While I agree with most of this study, can you help me find the one category that isn't normally found in a "Western" diet? There you go: legumes.

How often do Westerners eat beans, lentils, peas, nuts and seeds? Not near often enough. Also, this category does not belong because legumes are actually the foods with the highest levels of folic acid, a nutrient renowned for preventing birth defects. When I was pregnant, I ate legumes like a mad-woman. Not just because they're so good for the baby, but because I was HUNGRY, and being a vegetarian, they're not only a great source of protein, but indeed quite filling.

Did I mention I was never constipated while pregnant? Sorry men, I know this isn't quite up your alley, but you never know. It was just funny, I'd read all these "What to Expect" books, saying how constipated I was going to be - even how this was the one time of my life to expect hemorrhoids - and yeah, nope, not a thing.

But what did you expect from a nutritionist who's blog is called "beandiet"? Yes, I'm a legume defender and proud of it. In fact, not to overstate it but, beans are the new meat.

Which takes us back to the rest of the study. I would expect that women who ate lots of meat (notice it's not all "red meat" - processed meat includes a lot) to have a higher risk of having children with birth defects. I'd also expect those women to have a harder time getting pregnant in the first place, which is what several reputable studies have shown.

Oh, and I'd DEFINATELY expect these women to have hemorrhoids throughout their pregnancy.