Joel Fuhrman - Eat To Live

Eat to Live 33

the risk of death from heart disease in those eating refined grains."

Summarizing fifteen epidemiological studies, researchers concluded

that diets containing refined grains and refined sweets were consis-

tently linked to stomach and colon cancer, and at least twelve breast

cancer studies connect low-fiber diets with increased risks.^12 Eating a

diet that contains a significant quantity of sugar and refined flour

does not just cause weight gain, it also leads to an earlier death.

If you want to lose weight, the most important foods to avoid arc

processed foods: condiments, candy, snacks, and baked goods; fat-

free has nothing to do with it. Almost all weight-loss authorities

agree on this — you must cut out the refined carbohydrates, includ-

ing bagels, pasta, and bread. As far as the human body is concerned,

low-fiber carbohydrates such as pasta are almost as damaging as

white sugar. Pasta is not health food — it is hurt food.

Now I can imagine what many of you are thinking: "But, Dr.

Fuhrman! I love pasta. Do I have to give it up?" I enjoy eating pasta,

too. Pasta can sometimes be used in small quantities in a recipe that

includes lots of green vegetables, onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Whole-grain pastas and bean pastas found in health-food stores are

better choices than those made from white flour. See chapter nine

for tasty ideas. The point to remember is that all refined grains must

be placed in that limited category — foods that should constitute

only a small percentage of our total caloric intake.

What about bagels? Is the "whole-wheat" bagel you just bought

at the bagel store really made from whole grain? No; in most cases, it

is primarily white flour. It is hard to tell sometimes. Ninety-nine per-

cent of pastas, breads, cookies, pretzels, and other grain products are

made from white flour. Sometimes a little whole wheat or caramel

color is added and the product is called whole wheat to make you

think it is the real thing. It isn't. Most brown bread is merely white bread with a fake tan. Wheat grown on American soil is not a nutrient-

Refined Foods Are Linked To

Oral cavity cancer • Thyroid cancer

Stomach cancer

Colorectal cancer

Intestinal cancer

Breast cancer