4 Comments

  1. Ariel Gail MacLean says:

    Nice article to motivate people toward better preventative eating; however, the bad advice in the last paragraph trumps the value of the entire article. Animal foods and the “whites” (white sugar, white flour, white rice, etc.) are the absolute worst food choices we can make and will feed cancer cell growth better than any other food choices. This article does not direct the reader to the correct method and reason for pairing legumes with other protein sources – in this case cheese. First of all, there is no question that abundant daily consumption of beans is a fabulous dietary change goal to prevent AND treat a variety of diseases including cancers, but any longterm commitment to daily legumes, without taking into consideration the amino acid shortfall that legumes cause if used as one’s primary source of protein, is a guaranteed unhealthy mistake. Many vegetarian mother’s-to-be, who ignore this issue – the “incomplete protein” of legumes, go on to birth developmentally delayed, small birth weight, and immune compromised babies who fail to thrive, learn, grow, form properly in terms of skeletal-musculature, and do not develop normally due to the one fact of being marginally or outright PROTEIN DEFICIENT. In developing countries, where “high quality” (complete amino acid) protein is not consistently available, the medical term is: kwashiokor. The point of me stepping up to write this is that animal products added to one’s daily beans, will provide the missing amino acids (complete the incomplete protein in beans) but will also be bringing into the body, known cancer-causing (and cardiovascular disease causing) metabolic byproducts even if Certified Organic Grass Animal products are the ones chosen. Animal foods need to be restricted when anti-cancer is the focus. That leaves open the question of how to make legumes satisfy our need for complete protein which is required for cell maintenance, immune function, growth, and disease prevention….? The answer is seeds and nuts need to be consumed AT THE SAME TIMES as the legumes. There are many options for both legume and seed and nut “formulas” which one can cultivate in the anti-cancer kitchen, and a great starting point for this self-education would be to consult the original bible on this subject: Diet For A Small Planet which explains the rationale behind plant-based eating for both our health and the health of the planet, and the sequel: Recipes For A Small Planet, where Frances Moore Lappe gives many recipes which feature the amounts of which legumes-nuts-seeds need to be paired in order to obtain the goal of “complete protein” that means thriving, not just surviving. Properly combined amino acid sources from plants can replace animal food consumption while maintaining the body, growing babies, repairing disease, and learning — all are physical activities which the Human Animal requires in order to eliminate animal food dependence.

    1. Ariel, you are SO VERY right about the 2 books, “Diet for a Small Planet” and “Recipes for a Small Planet” each by Frances Moore Lappe. I read them back in the later 70’s when attending undergraduate school, and they had been monumental in my very early understanding of nutrition as well as conservation on our precious planet! Cheers!!!

    2. celiayounger says:

      very good, thank you. I agree with you, and it is not only protein, and aminos, is vitamin B12 and other enzymes and phytonutrients that you only can find in animal foods.

  2. celiayounger says:

    I cook the beans with lots of water or broth _ 1/2 tsp. of baking soda (no gas) and some veggies.

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