Food Facts You Need to Know

What you don't know can hurt you and lead to more frequent and severe herpes outbreaks. Here's what you need to know about today's foods before making any changes to your diet.

You don't have to be allergic to food for it to harm your mind and body. Some of the most troublesome digestive symptoms are caused by sensitivity to even the healthiest foods you eat. For example, some individuals are sensitive to oxalates and salicylates, natural compounds found in plants and certain over-the-counter personal care products. Oxalates and salicylates can cause conditions like kidney stones, Tinnitus Syndrome, Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Irritable Bladder Syndrome, Vulvodynia, depression, panic attacks, headaches, and rashes. You'll find holistic alternatives for these symptoms and conditions here. 

 

 

Signs That You Need a Change in Your Diet

 

Sure signs and symptoms indicate a need for a change in your diet are headaches, insomnia, moodiness, brain fog, irritability, chronic cough or hoarseness, muscle pain, fatigue, depression, digestive problems (indigestion, acid reflux, stomach pain after eating, constipation/diarrhea, rectal leakage, gas, bloating), frequent herpes outbreaks, anxiety/panic attacks, and hypoglycemia. A healthy, genetically appropriate diet can help you manage, and perhaps even eliminate, these symptoms and others.

 

 

Digestive Enzymes

 

Enzyme deficiency is a cause of stomach distress that mimics food sensitivity. Enzymes are little factory workers in the body created from protein-containing foods and are catalysts that facilitate every chemical process in your body. Over 2700 enzymes ensure everything inside your body works just right. They are not fuel (nutrients), but they make fuel work sufficiently, much like a gas or oil treatment for your car. A dietary enzyme supplement, available at most health stores, can help you avoid a lifetime of digestive upset and pain. See Guarding Against Deficiencies & Toxicities for complete information regarding enzymes, including the enzyme that helps with allergies, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Intermittent Cystic Fibrosis.  

 

 

Genetically Appropriate Foods

 

Until one hundred years ago, humans did not consume processed foods. Foods were gathered, picked, caught, and hunted from backyards. Humans also ate according to the availability of food during each season. Your ancestors ate primarily fish, eggs, meat, nuts, vegetables, and low-sugar fruits. The human body has not evolved further since these times. Refined sugar, chemical additives, and synthetic hormones did not exist. Considering how your ancestors ate can help you choose foods that are genetically suitable for you. Eat as your grandparents did. Your genetic makeup is still like theirs. 

 

People are following various diets today, including conventional, Vegetarian, Paleo, and the popular Keto diet. Are any of these any better or worse for someone living with herpes? Let's examine each of these diets.

 

 

The Standard American Diet (SAD)

 

The Standard American Diet (SAD) follows the standard food pyramid, with a recommended composition of 20% fat, 20% protein, and 60% carbohydrates. However, this composition is flawed because it contains excessive sugar, which can hinder health and wellness. The SAD diet is truly "sad", whether you live with herpes or not.

 

 

The Vegetarian Diet

 

Vegetarians eat plant-based diets. There are three types of vegetarians: hardcore, those who eat some eggs and dairy, and those who occasionally consume meat. The percentages of fat, protein, and carbohydrates in a vegetarian diet are based on the foods chosen. Vegetarians don't have a problem getting enough protein. Many plant-based foods contain protein. The problem many vegetarians face is meeting their vitamin and mineral requirements, especially their mineral needs. This can be addressed by consuming plant-based foods that contain essential vitamins and minerals, such as seaweed, or by adding supplements to their wellness regimen.

 

By the way, a vegetarian diet is an excellent option for anyone with the herpes virus. However, it's still necessary to maintain a good balance between the amino acids lysine and arginine and to avoid foods that trigger histamine release. 

 

 

The Paleo Diet

 

The Paleo diet emphasizes a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carb approach to eating. The Paleo diet avoids gluten and refined sugar. It allows for red meat, organ meats, poultry, pork, fish and shellfish, processed meats, eggs and dairy, herbs and spices, legumes (soaked, sprouted, or fermented to absorb minerals better), some animal fats (lard), nuts and seeds, cacao, cooked veggies, fruit, plant fats from nuts, seeds, olives, avocado, and coconuts (eaten minimally), cooked grains and pseudo cereals (quinoa, millet, amaranth), canned corn (cooked or creamed), and a little dark chocolate. When followed as outlined in most Paleo guidebooks, the diet consists of 60% fat, 20% protein, and 20% carbohydrates. As far as I have read, it's up to you how often you eat throughout the day. The Paleo diet is also an excellent option for anyone coexisting with herpes viruses. However, as mentioned in the previous paragraph, it's necessary to maintain a good ratio between the amino acids lysine and arginine.

 

 

The Keto Diet

 

The Keto diet allows for beef, fish, seafood, shellfish, poultry, eggs, butter, ghee, heavy and sour cream, cheese, cream cheese, buttermilk, condensed and evaporated milk, cow milk, whey protein powder (egg white or plant-based), yogurt, nuts and kinds of butter made from them (except for cashews, pistachios or chestnuts, which are too high in carbs), and seeds (except for flaxseed, flax meal, chia seeds or soy products, which are high in phytoestrogens and can raise estrogen levels). It also allows almond oil, beef tallow, avocado oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil, duck fat, extra virgin olive oil, hazelnut oil, high oleic sunflower oil, lard, macadamia nut oil, MCT oil, palm kernel oil (only the best), but no hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats, margarine, or vegetable shortening. The Keto diet is selective about vegetables and fruits and contains some items suitable for baking, such as coconut and almond flour, baking soda, and unsweetened chocolate. The diet avoids sugar, which is high in fructose, and discourages snacking by recommending three meals a day and incorporating fasting periods. When followed as outlined in most Keto guidebooks, the Keto diet is 75% fat, 20% protein, and 5% carbohydrates. 

 

Some individuals should refrain from following a low-carb diet. For instance, if you have Hypothyroidism, your insulin levels are chronically low on low-carb diets, which leads to low T-3 levels. You can overcome this by taking certain supplements and increasing your carbohydrate intake.

 

  • If you are pregnant, the baby requires more carbohydrates (see Weight Management).
  • If you are suffering from adrenal fatigue (exhaustion), low-carb diets can make things worse.
  • If you regularly experience insomnia, consider incorporating a few carbohydrates into your diet. 
  • If you regularly engage in exercise or high activity levels, you will need a higher-carb diet. 

 

Because no one can remain healthy on a Keto diet for more than three months, I don't recommend it for anything other than emergency weight loss. However, variations of the Keto diet that add more carbs may be suitable in the long term and help put herpes into remission.

 

 

Keto Book Resources

 

 

 

Why It's Important to Eat Live Foods

 

The whole purpose of eating natural foods is to feed your body the nutrients it needs to nourish the mitochondria in every cell in your body. Live food has not been heated, cooked, or refined in any way. Live foods contain their own natural enzymes. When you cook foods at temperatures higher than 113 degrees, they lose their enzymes, and your body has to rush in extra backup enzymes to break down and digest the food you just ate. Your body is shortchanged elsewhere, as these little protein molecule factory workers must leave their posts from your major organs to assist digestion. When you eat live foods, you don't have to worry about this.

 

 

Disease-Fighting Foods

  

  • Green tea and green tea capsules are excellent sources of antioxidants.
  • Maitake, reishi, and coriolus mushrooms are great immune enhancers.
  • Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric (a spice), affects Cancer formation and progression.
  • Red peppers, beets, squash, carrots, spinach, broccoli, plums, blackberries, apricots, grapes, cherries, and raspberries

 

The following foods contain proteolytic enzymes (Cancer fighters) found in their juices: bananas, cabbage, cucumbers, coconut milk (fresh), grapes, green peas, lettuce (dark green), oranges, melons, onions, pears, pineapple, potatoes, tomatoes, and turnips.

 

 

Electrolytes

 

You've probably heard it's important to maintain electrolyte levels, especially during exercise and stress, but what are electrolytes? Electrolytes are soluble, ionized salts that transfer electrical energy in your body. With too few electrolytes, you can experience an electrical short.

 

Maintaining optimal levels of essential minerals, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, sodium (salt), and others, is crucial for overall health. Maintaining a balanced mineral intake also supports your pH balance. One way to do this is to incorporate seaweed into your diet, which contains all these minerals.

 

 

Salt

 

Maintain a daily salt intake between 1,100 and 3,300 milligrams. Anything less is too low, and anything more is too high. Overeating salt can cause the release of calcium and other minerals, leading to high blood pressure, water retention, and other health issues. However, not just any salt will do. You need sea salt, which contains the minerals you need to stay healthy. Regular table salt is harmful to the body. You can buy sea salt at most grocery stores or online at SaltWorks.

 

 

The Truth About Dietary Fats

 

  • Fats are essential to the health of all of your body's cells. They provide a cushion to organs, balance hormones, regulate blood pressure and heart rate, provide energy in reserve, and supply soft hair and skin.

 

  • Over a relatively short period, without healthy fats in your diet, you can become overly nervous, easily irritated, develop muscle aches and pains, experience issues with blood sugar and hormones, and have problems with your skin, nails, and hair. Menses may stop if you don't get enough healthy fat in your diet.

 

  • Essential fatty acids are the fats your body needs. They can be supplemented or eaten directly with your food. Eating a few walnuts daily and fish three times weekly should cover your essential fatty acid needs.

 

  • The American diet creates an overabundance of omega-6 fatty acids, so balancing this with sufficient omega-3 is essential. Krill oil has been found to work better than omega-3 fish oil capsules, as they are also full of antioxidants. Be cautious about taking omega-3s if you are on certain medications.

 

  • Avoid trans-fat. Manufacturers use these to lengthen a product's shelf life and enhance flavor. Research reported in The New England Journal of Medicine in November 1977 found that trans-fatty acids in the diet are a more significant risk factor for heart disease than just being overweight.

 

 

Fat Label Reading Tips

 

  • Light fat: Contains 50% less fat than comparable products.
  • Reduced fat: Contains 25% less fat than comparable products.
  • Low fat: Contains 3 grams (27 calories) of fat or less.

 

 

Hidden Sugars

 

The average American consumes approximately 140 pounds of sugar and other sweeteners, including fructose and corn syrup, each year. Need some perspective? Just 100 years ago, Americans consumed only roughly 40 pounds each year, and they were free of dental, heart, Cancer, degenerative, and digestive diseases.

 

The following is only a minimal list of where sugars hide:

 

  • 3 Teaspoons of Sugar: Pre-sweetened cereals, 1/2 cup canned fruit, one tablespoon of jam
  • 4-6 Teaspoons of Sugar: Frozen yogurt, applesauce, donut, hot chocolate
  • 7-9 Teaspoons of Sugar: Fruit yogurt, milkshake, Coca-Cola
  • 10-15 Teaspoons of Sugar: 1 slice of pie or a two-layer frosted piece of cake
  • 16-18 Teaspoons of Sugar: Add ice cream to the above pie and cake
  • 21 Teaspoons of Sugar: Banana split

 

Note: Corn syrup is a form of simple sugar that is particularly problematic because it fools the brain into thinking we have enough sugar. We usually stop when we have enough sugar. Not so with corn syrup. We will keep eating it, and our brains will never tell us to stop.

 

 

Sweeteners are Not So Splendid

 

We all know that sweeteners of the past give you Cancer. New ones emerge from time to time, promising to be the dieter's latest dream, but are just as dangerous. Sucralose is very damaging to your health. I encourage you to go online and read up on the side effects of sweeteners, which include flushing, redness or a burning feeling of the skin, rashes, acne, a panicky or shaky feeling (anxiety), nausea, forgetfulness, becoming uninterested or withdrawn from usual activities, moodiness, depression, unexplained crying, stomach cramps, headache, seeing spots, hypersensitivity, anger, pain, diarrhea, trouble concentration, seizures, and feeling faint.

 

Use stevia instead. It is truly safe. It is a plant-based, natural sweetener that contains fiber, an added plus. It is sweeter than sugar, does not affect blood glucose levels, can be used for cooking, and has no aftertaste. Nursing moms can also use it without worry. You can find it in bulk or in convenient small packets. But here's the thing. Only natural, green-leaf stevia is beneficial for you. The white-powdered form of stevia is processed to such an extent that its potential harm is largely unknown when used regularly. Raw honey (up to one tablespoon daily) is also a sweet alternative.

 

Note: Never give synthetic sweeteners to children. Nursing mothers should refrain from using sweeteners until they have stopped breastfeeding. Additionally, never give honey to children under 3. It may cause an allergic reaction.

 

 

Fiber 

 

You've probably heard that fiber will keep you "pooping" regularly. Still, fiber has other purposes, such as helping you lose weight, keeping your cholesterol down, and preventing Cancer and heart problems. Any food item containing three or more grams of fiber is considered high-fiber, and you need 22-32 grams daily. 

 

Some high-fiber foods include pears, fresh strawberries, whole-wheat pasta, bran cereal, oatmeal, lentils, peas, Brussels sprouts, string beans, spinach, broccoli, and potatoes (with the skin). Fiber One cereal is an excellent source of fiber and tastes great! Two-thirds of a cup provides 14 grams of fiber, which is approximately half of your daily fiber requirement. However, getting your fiber from fruits and vegetables rather than grains is better. 

 

Increase your fiber gradually. If you are not used to eating fiber, it can trigger Irritable Bowel Syndrome. For example, cook your veggies for the first week rather than eating them raw. Then, slowly switch to raw. When eating raw foods, ensure you chew them thoroughly. You can juice or steam your fruits and vegetables if your stomach doesn't handle raw food well. Even if you need to continue to cook your vegetables, you will still benefit from vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

 

 

Lean Red Meat Is Good for You

 

You need meat for protein. Here are 23 types of proteins that your body needs to repair itself. These 23 types are called amino acids. Of these 23, your body makes only 13. You get the other ten from your food.

 

There are two classes of proteins: complete and incomplete. Proteins from meat sources (including dairy products) and dairy products are considered complete proteins. Proteins from grains, vegetables, and nuts are considered incomplete proteins. 

 

Not consuming enough protein is the number one cause of premature aging and low energy. Lean red meat is good for you as long as it is organic. Without enough protein, your body cannot repair all its trillions of cells. If you have stress-related syndromes, you may not digest and absorb your protein as well as you should. For this reason, I suggest eating more protein than others might suggest to ensure you get enough. 

 

The meat portion of your protein intake should be approximately 10% of your daily protein needs. Nd only organically-raised animals will do when it comes to eating meat. Studies show that consuming more than 10% of meat protein increases the risk of Cancer drastically.

 

Furthermore, if your blood type is O, your energy may suffer if you skip red meat altogether. Why? Type O is the original blood type of the first humans on Earth, who were also believed to be carnivorous.

 

 

A Little FDA FYI About Meat

 

After only 4 years of research, the FDA has approved cloned meat from steers, goats, and pigs (as well as dairy products derived from these animals) for public consumption. The agency states there is no reason to label these products as such, as it has determined there is no difference between cloned and conventional meat. However, French researchers have found that clones do not reach puberty as quickly as conventionally raised stock and have a completely different fat metabolism. The USA is the first and only country to do this. Are you aware that other countries, such as Japan and China, have consistently refused to purchase meat and dairy products from the United States due to its low safety standards?

 

From what I understand, cloning is not the same as genetic engineering. The following information describes the differences between conventional, genetically engineered, and cloned meat.

 

  • Conventional is naturally conceived and born.
  • Genetic engineering alters, adds, or deletes genes or DNA segments to produce specific traits. For example, wheat has been genetically modified to the point that it's nearly impossible to find the original wheat anymore. It's doubtful you could even find the seeds to buy. Today's wheat flour is not the same as the one your parents or grandparents used.
  • Cloning reproduces a twin by replicating it (being conceived in a dish, so to speak).

 

Note: Meat manufacturers are also adding red dye to make meat appear healthier.

 

 

Seafood: How Safe Is It?

 

Your ancestors didn't have to worry about what they ate from the sea. They gulped down a specimen from a lower food chain and didn't give it another thought. Today, the world's waters are contaminated. isheries may use organic feed, but their fish and shellfish may still contain mercury, PCBs, and dioxins. wordfish and tuna can contain very high levels of mercury, regardless of their origin. When choosing tuna, choose albacore tuna. Farmed salmon may have twice as many toxins as wild salmon. Opt for wild seafood, such as wild Alaskan or Oregonian salmon (canned is fine). The best seafood choices are sea bass, herring, trout, oysters, clams, and mackerel. To put it into perspective, it's predicted that there will be no more edible fish in the sea by 2034.

 

The EDF Seafood Selector is a valuable resource for evaluating seafood quality.

 

 

The Trouble With Tap Water

 

There's so much debate over what kinds of water are safe and which aren't that I almost didn't include this topic here. However, the truth is that not all water is the same. And, not all water is safe just because it is fresh. Tap water contains "unfriendlies" that can make you sick. Even when you boil tap water, not all impurities are boiled away. 

 

There are up to 141 unregulated chemicals (and an additional 119) for which the Environmental Protection Agency has set health-based limits. Two ingredients for which standards have been established are chlorine and fluoride. Both are known to cause serious ailments. You may not notice the smell of chlorine bleach in your tap water because you have been drinking it for so long. Try this experiment. Drink nothing but purified water for two weeks. At the end of two weeks, pour a glass of pure water into a glass. In another glass, pour tap water. Now, do a sniff test.

 

Chlorine has many side effects, the most common being dizziness, headache, confusion, trouble breathing, stomach problems, and Tinnitus (ringing in the ears). And not just the chlorinated water you drink is hurting you; you are also bathing in bleach.

 

Hitler added fluoride to the water in the camps to make Jews completely helpless. Fluoride crushes people spiritually and physically. They used it to turn the Jews into "docile slaves". In 1945, following the war, the USA began using it for water treatment. Other nations banned it, knowing it could lower IQ, cause brain decay, infertility, kidney and bone problems, receding gums, and more.

 

As I understand it, ozonated, distilled, and mineral water are good choices for drinking. Adding a little lemon juice helps to balance pH levels. Purchasing a water-purification machine is also an option.

 

 

Pesticides & Hormones in Our Food Supply

 

With all the prepared and processed foods the USA sells, not to mention the pesticides used on crops and hormones and antibiotics given to our livestock, Americans are fast becoming a nation of people suffering from Toxic Food Syndrome. 0% of processed foods contain GMOs.

 

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) did not define "organic" until 2002. For food manufacturers to use the term "organic" on their food labels, they must prove that their product was not made with fertilizers, pesticides, growth hormones, or artificial ingredients, including colorings or flavorings.

 

Pesticides keep bugs under control. However, they enter the soil and water, and are subsequently absorbed by fruits and vegetables. The University of Washington State performed a study revealing that children eating "a conventional diet had six times the levels of a pesticide linked to leukemia and neurological damage than those who ate mostly organic foods." Additionally, organic produce can contain up to 50% more antioxidants than conventionally grown produce.

 

The United States raises cows using hormones to accelerate their growth and increase milk production. The European government has outlawed this practice based on early research suggesting that the hormones cause early puberty in girls and may raise the risk of breast Cancer in women and prostate Cancer in men.

 

With antibiotics given to cows, sheep, and chickens to prevent disease, the incidence of antibiotic-resistant infections in humans is rising. The government claims that people do not ingest these antibiotics because the meat does not contain leftover antibiotic residues, but that's up for debate.

 

You inherit the immune systems of the animals you eat.

 

 

When to Go Organic

 

To assume that eating anything labeled organic is better is only partially correct. Certain foods are better organic than others, and eating only organic foods can be expensive. Here are some suggestions. 

 

  • Opt for organic options with fish, poultry, dairy, grains, tofu, and fresh produce.

 

  • Stick with organic milk, cheese, and yogurt to minimize exposure to hormones and antibiotics. Avoid foods containing molds and yeast. Molds and yeast can cause Candida infections (including Vaginitis), eye infections, and diseases affecting the hair, skin, and nails.

 

  • Eat only organic beef, lamb, eggs, and chicken to minimize exposure to hormones and antibiotics. Purchase organic sausage, cold cuts, and bacon to avoid preservatives linked to bladder and brain Cancers, such as nitrates and nitrites.

 

  • All thin-skinned fruits and vegetables are prone to high levels of toxins, especially potatoes, spinach, celery, bell peppers, grapes, apples, cherries, peaches, pears, strawberries, nectarines, and raspberries. They should be organic. Eating the organic versions of these 12 foods can reduce your pesticide exposure by up to 90%.

 

  • You should avoid frozen or canned fruits or vegetables that contain any of the following 12 items. Frozen fruits are often coated in sugar, and canned fruits and vegetables contain preservatives and absorb aluminum. Regarding fruits and vegetables, always choose fresh, then frozen, with canned being the last option.

 

  • When selecting other fruits and vegetables, consider buying them at your local farmers' market. Smaller farms tend not to use pesticides in the same manner as conventional producers. Their food may well be organic, but it isn't labeled as such because obtaining USDA-certified organic status is costly.

 

  • Eat products where the grain remains intact. As mentioned earlier, nearly all wheat has been genetically modified. Sprouted grain bread is best because it's less acidic. Spelt flour is best tolerated and contains more protein than other sprouted-grain flours.

 

  • Avoid corn. It contains carcinogens.

 

 

Natural & Organic Label Reading Tips

 

  • "All Natural" – There is no such thing. However, no artificial preservatives or colors have been added to a meat product when it's labeled natural.

 

  • "Free Range" – There is no such thing. It is supposed to mean that animals are free to roam, but who's regulating? It says nothing about what they are fed.

 

  • "Antibiotic and Hormone Free" – There is no such thing. Who's determining if this is true? The USDA has its hands full trying to determine the truth here.

 

  • "100% Organic" - This product is proven to have no hormones, pesticides, or artificial ingredients.

 

  • "Organic" - This product is 95% organic, with some other "stuff" added to process it.

 

  • "Made with Organic Ingredients" - Okay. This product is at least 70% organic.