Cooking food is still better...Like I said, it KILLS Pathogens that other ways cannot.

I eat whatever tastes good. That includes meat, and I'm pretty healthy myself.

So washing raw meat will make it safe to eat???

I thought you said eat for health, not for enjoyment. Cook your food if you really want it to be healthy. It can carry Salmonella, E. coli, etc.

cooking breaks down food making it less nutritious.

there is also this thing called washing (along with organic produce)

Unfortunately, carrots have a high GI, and tomatos are members of the nightshade family.

Unfortunately, carrots have a high GI, and tomatos are members of the nightshade family.

Unfortunately, carrots have a high GI, and tomatos are members of the nightshade family.

Unfortunately, carrots have a high GI, and tomatos are members of the nightshade family.

Not Enough Proof For Anti-cancer Effects of Tomato
There is not enough proof that consumption of tomato or tomato products would lead to decreased incidence of cancer as per the US FDA. Subsequently producers of tomatoes, tomato sauce and dietary supplements containing lycopene, the substance that makes tomatoes red, will not be allowed to advertise claims to the effect that tomato and tomato products would reduce the risk of cancer. However the companies may suggest limited link between tomatoes and a lowered risk of prostate cancer, as per the agency. FDA also rejected proposals to advertise lycopene alone which is available in supplements, as having cancer-related benefits.

FDA made these rulings in response to petitions from American Longevity, which makes supplements and other health products, and the Lycopene Health Claim Coalition, a group that includes ketchup manufacturer H.J. Heinz Co.

American Longevity says that lycopene in tomatoes reduces the risk of a number of cancers, including prostate, colon and breast cancer. The company offered a number of published studies in support of their arguments.

Heinz, meanwhile, only sought a connection between tomatoes and prostate cancer, company officials said. The FDA authorized the following for use on product labels: "Very limited and preliminary scientific research suggests that eating one-half to one cup of tomatoes and/or tomato sauce a week may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. FDA concludes that there is little scientific evidence supporting the claim."

American Longevity contends it has a free-speech right to make the statements, which are governed under two-year-old regulations allowing qualified health claims on some products where the science is less than universally accepted.

"The FDA decision greatly misleads the American consumer," said Steve Wallach, general manager of American Longevity, in a statement. "The American public is entitled to the whole truth and we will do all we can to prevent FDA from keeping this scientific information from the American people.

a plant-based diet has ensured i no longer suffer from sinus problems,

This is an interesting statment, and I noticed sherri said the same thing.

Personally when I was younger and going through puberty, I was eating tons of potatoes, meat and pasta. I rarely ate vegtables becaus ehtey were overcooked and tasted gross.

My allergies also went through the roof. I slpet with 4 pillows under my head at night, to kepp the mucous from pooling in my head, so I wouldnt suffacate while sleeping. It was impossible for me to even blow my nose, because my sinuses were permantently plugged, and to attempt to do so, would cause immense sinus pressure and pain.

I also developed allergies to apples, oranges,watermelon, melons, gluten allergy(which i didnt discover until recently), allergies to all Nuts, all Seafood, cabbage, grass, all Trees and plant life growing in Alberta(my enviroment), pollen allergy and much more.

At that time the more processed afood was the less chance it seemed to cause an allergy so I dug in, unbeknownst to me making the problem worse.

Since changing my diet to a more 'vegan' one alot of allergies have subsided, and through Bioresonance therapy some of the more severe ones, arent so bad any more.

My question is WHY does a plant-based diet help against sinus problems? Whats the reason, or the mechanism? IS it that the other foods stress your body so much, that they lower your immune system, thereby creating allergy like symptoms? Or is it something else?

My question is WHY does a plant-based diet help against sinus problems? Whats the reason, or the mechanism? IS it that the other foods stress your body so much, that they lower your immune system, thereby creating allergy like symptoms? Or is it something else?

From consuming a living foods only diet, your body easily digests the food, obtains all the nutrietns one needs, and essentially your body can now concentrate on progressing, instead of cleaning itself due to a diet full of fats, and hard to digest foods.

This cleansing begins on a cellular level, and has the ability to heal those suffering from common dis-eases. The health of the colon is somthing very much overlooked in alot of modern medicine. Scientifically, think about how similar the brain and 'gut' are: 100 million nuerotransmitters line the entire length of the 'gut'=approximately the same number present in the brain. Also, nearly every chemical than controls the brain, is in the gut also, including hormones and nuerotransmitters. Ponder that and then think about the old adage, "go with your gut feeling", or how you experience intuition, "butterflies", etc. The 'gut' and the brain are so connected, ever look at thier shape: the small and large intestines sure do resemble the brain tissue, dont you think?

I digress, but when your body is clogged and works extra hard to rid your body of toxicity, dis-ease is sure to result. Cleaning your body through living foods enable your body to move to a higher level.

good post cycle.

venom,
on a personal level I found it was dairy infiltrating foods I ate prior to becoming strictly vegan that was the source of my problems. Casien is a component of milk which is a glue. Note that there are plant equivilants to casien though. Carageenan is not good for you (but you should not be getting this unless you are eating processed foods like soy-icecreams or veggie burgers or other such not-so-healthy-health-food).

Have you done a zero allergen diet to test for food sensitivities? It might reveal hidden irritants to your system.

Here is a list of foods to eliminate to test for allergens:
cows milk and all products derived from cows milk
modern wheat
corn
corn starch
eggs
sugar (white, brown, yellow, golden, demerara, glucose, sucrose, sucralose, cane, etc)
citrus fruit
coffee
tea
alcohol
pop
chocolate
tap water
dried fruits
artificial colour, flavour, sweeteners
foods with preservatives
foods with sulfites

edit:
forgot to mention another factor to the strict veganism switch from vegitarianism:
when I decided there would be no animal products/byproducts in any of my foods I decided to make everything "from scratch" to ensure I knew what I was eating, thus my diet improved.

Casien is a component of milk which is a glue. Note that there are plant equivilants to casien though.

forgot to mention another factor to the strict veganism switch from vegitarianism:
when I decided there would be no animal products/byproducts in any of my foods I decided to make everything "from scratch" to ensure I knew what I was eating, thus my diet improved.

I don't know all the causes for food sensitivites. For some at least there is a genetic factor in play.

Whoa i think the internet is great but you have to use reputable sources, i would recommend reading nutrition books

You know A diet for a new america is a great book can be purchased online it will give you alot of good info.... a place to start

also where do you buy??that has an effect because of the Gmo's and pesticides..

According to standard GI, the carrot has a GI of 85-95

Glycemic Load - How is it Measured
Glycemic load tells you how much carbohydrate is in a standard serving size of food. To calculate glycemic load in a typical serving of food, divide the GI of that food by 100 and multiply this by the useable carbohydrate content (in grams) in the serving size. For example, the glycemic index of carrots is about 47. Carrots contain about 7 grams of carbohydrate per 100g of carrots. So, to calculate the glycemic load for a standard 50g serving of carrots, divide 47 by 100 (0.47) and multiply by 3.5. The glycemic load (GL) of carrots is therefore 1.6.

Glycemic Load More Accurate Than Carb Content
Although a low-carb food typically has a lower-GI value than a high carbohydrate food, choosing foods purely on the basis of the amount of carbohydrates they contain is less beneficial for blood glucose control and general health than relying on their glycemic load (GL). Don't forget, the glycemic load of a food is its GI value per serving, and the GI value of a food is the definitive guide to its effect on glucose metabolism and thus blood sugar levels

The GI shows how a food compares to a reference food with a GI of 100, usually glucose or white bread. All foods are tested in equivalent amounts (50 grams of carbohydrate). But remember the GI is an indication of quality, not the quantity typically eaten by most people. Take carrots, for example. Many people say they have heard that people with diabetes should not eat carrots because they contain "too much sugar." One study gives carrots a GI of 95. However, the amount of carrots that it takes to get 50 grams of carbohydrate is 1 1/2 pounds--far more than the 3 or 4 ounces most people would consume. So, carrots can still be considered a "free" food when consumed in reasonable amounts.

venom,
she explained it correctly. However, look up the lactose intolorance incidence levels for various populations. Look up alcohol as well.

whoa,
try this simple test: eat carrots as a snack when you are not hungry and see if your appetite is stimulated. Do what works for you. The variance in indexes shows the need for you to design your diet around the effects the foods have on you and not just lab reports.

whoa,
try this simple test: eat carrots as a snack when you are not hungry and see if your appetite is stimulated. Do what works for you. The variance in indexes shows the need for you to design your diet around the effects the foods have on you and not just lab reports.

i was not intending too offend you i hope I didn't, J

By and large humans when theyre born as baby's have an abundace of lactase in order to breakdown and digest the milk they get from their mothers. As children ( and all people in general) grow older their bodies naturally downregulate the production of the enzyme lactase. Hence giving further credance to the idea that humans are designed NOT to eat milk products in the long run. If the body falis to naturally downregulate the enzyme lactase, it is unkonw at this time why. It is definately abnormal. Its possible its genetic but not proven.

Having a gf, in honors Biochemistry helps with this. She actually explained that to me.

The optimal diet does vary from person to person of-course, determined by your biology-- some may for example do great on a vegetarian diet, while others will not. Personally though, it's my oppinion that humans are omnivores(which is supported by strong facts).

Either way, a diet that is as diverse as possible will always be the best. For me-- too much meat make me feel heavy, while only vegetables leave me gassy and hungry again in no time. A reasonable meal with unprocessed meat and vegetables however, leave me feeling much more well.

Appologies if it has been posted before, but this is a excellent site on the matter:

http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/vegetarian.html

Well, known fact eh?
Then why don't we have the huge stomachs and very long intestines that herbivores need to process low quality foods such as grasses and leafs? When looking at a herbivore, such as a cow, you'll see that it's rather huge in order to have room for such a digestive system.

Humans on the other hand, are omnivores-- living on both meat and vegetables, so they don't need huge 'fermentation vats' such as cows. Unless you have overindulged on McDonalds food, you'll find that humans are slim like typical predators/omnivores-- having a digestive system that's designed to eat meat as well.

And meat isn't any more harmfull than plant-type food, provided it is eaten in moderation like everything else. Neither have I had any trouble with my bowels due to meat-eating, neither has my family. Not sure where you got that information from, as it doesn't take much thinking to realize that it doesn't have much hold in reality.
As for bad eating habbits, junk food would certainly be considered that. A diet consisting of fresh meat and vegetables, is not one. Although what's optimal can and does vary from person to person, as well as how active you are in your daily life.

Just thought i'd put up a link on a news story:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/print...8626936,00.html

A small group of asthma sufferers was put on a diet low in antioxidants and their asthma monitored. The levels in their blood of various antioxidants, such as carotene and lycopene, were also monitored.

The modified diet lowered levels of antioxidants circulating in the blood in almost three-quarters of the subjects. Those who after 10 days had lower levels in their blood of the antioxidant lycopene - abundant in tomatoes - had their asthma symptoms worsen.
Since many suffer from asthma... worth eating those tomatoes!