Choose “Clean” Proteins When on a Low-Carb Diet

By James B. LaValle, RPh, MS, ND, CCN
A healthy low-carb diet can and should include plenty of low-glycemic plant foods (non-starchy vegetables, beans and legumes, nuts and seeds). That being said, following a low-carb diet still means eating large amounts of protein and the fats that come with them. So you need to make sure you get your protein from high-quality sources.

High-quality proteins are:

1. Non-Toxic. Toxins from the environment can accumulate in the fat and tissues of animals and fish. Mercury in fish, for example. Or chemicals from pesticide-treated grain fed to animals.

To avoid consuming too much mercury, eat smaller fish – tilapia, cod, and sardines vs. shark and swordfish. Since toxins tend to accumulate in the fat, eat the leanest cuts of meat possible. And choose organic meats, which ensure the animals were fed only non-pesticide-treated feed.

2. Raised on a Healthy Diet. The meats you eat should be from animals raised on their natural food source. Free-range chickens, for example, are usually fed some grains. But they are also allowed to roam around and peck in the ground for insects and worms, which is what they do when allowed to feed naturally. And the natural diet for cattle includes plenty of grazing in grass.

The more an animal can feed on its natural foods, the richer the nutrient content will be in the meat. Grass-fed beef is not only much leaner than grain-fed beef, it also contains a significant amount of omega 3 fats.

3. Free of Hormones. Selecting organically raised beef or dairy products ensures the animal was raised without growth hormones. Protein from growth-hormone-treated animals may increase your risk of breast cancer, may be linked to early puberty in children, and may be linked to lowered sperm counts in men.

[You really CAN enjoy wonderful food and hearty meals even while losing weight. James B. LaValle, RPh, ND, CCN. – founder of the LaValle Metabolic Institute and a nationally recognized expert on natural therapies – has uncovered a simple way to stay healthy and take total control of your own body with just a few changes to your diet and lifestyle. See how easy it is to start feeling better almost instantly.]

The Danger of Questions

By Suzanne Richardson
Every trial lawyer knows that it’s a mistake to ask a question unless they already know the answer. The same applies to sales copy.

Take, for instance, a TV commercial for Zyrtec. I’ve seen it several times, and my reaction is always the same. The first line is something like, “Do you remember that old song, ‘Time in a Bottle’?” Well, I am not familiar with that song, so click. I stop paying attention.

This is an example of “exclusionary copy.” As the term implies, it excludes part of your audience right off the bat. And the last thing you want your prospective customers to do is think your sales message isn’t aimed at them and skip your ad.

The purpose of your first line is to pique your prospect’s interest… and compel him to read (or listen) further. So before starting any sales letter or ad with a question, make sure you know the answer. And if the answer could be “no,” find a new angle or risk having your readers tune out.

It's Good to Know: The Miracle Fruit

ETR health experts are firm on this point: Sugar is seriously bad for you. But what if you've got a sweet tooth? Maybe the miracle fruit can help. This tiny red berry - Synsepalum dulcificum - can transform the way other foods taste.

Linda Bartoshuk of the University of Florida's Center for Smell and Taste explained to The New York Times that the berry contains a protein called miraculin that binds with taste buds. And then, when it comes in contact with acids, it induces sweetness.

Of course, "miracles" tend to come with a hefty price tag. According to the Times, these berries can cost upward of $2 apiece.

Word to the Wise: Recherche

Something that's "recherche" (ruh-sher-SHAY) - from the French for "to seek out" - is either (1) rare or exotic, or (2) pretentious.

Example (as used by Angela Carter in Shaking a Leg): "She was mocking the pretensions of the cookery writer who insists on recherche ingredients not because of their qualities but their snob value."
__________________________________________________
These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise [Issue #2385, 06-18-08], the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com/.