Dr. Oz on "Forks Over Knives"

Dr. Oz welcomes  Steve Fulkerson, director and creator of "Forks Over Knives" a documentary that focuses on our diet and it's relation to disease. In this episode Dr. Oz zeros in on how we can change our lives simply through changing our diet. People are starting to listen.

Dr. Collin Campbell, author of "The China Study" states "we could turn on and turn off the developement of cancer in the laboratory by nutritional means." He also adds, adding animal based protein turns on the cancer and taking it away turned it off. Plant based protein did not cause this.

Dr. Oz says that there are three food groups people need to avoid:

1. Meat-all meat "If it has parents and a face, you don't want to be eating it"  So where does protein come from? Whole grains like quinoa, amran and millet as well as beans and nuts.
2. Dairy-they are a bigger contributor of saturated fat than other products. Instead calcium can come from broccoli, kale and brussel sprouts (my favorite). Potassium from fruits, and vitamin D from our ray of light, the sun! Don't forget that there are other types of milks available such as almond, soy, and hemp which may offer a source of vitamin D as well.
3. Processed foods-high in sugars, salts, and fats. Enjoy foods like pasta, fruits, whole grain breads, and seeds. Use Thyme, lemon juice, and garlic as a salad dressing for a healthier option.

 5 things to keep in your kitchen to cut risk of cancer:

1. Nutritional yeast- use a a replacement for cheese. My favorite snack, kale chips use this as their "cheesy flavoring"
2. Freeze dried strawberries-contain ten times the amount of antioxidents than normal strawberries
3. Rhubarb-when boiled, it magnifies the polyphenols which protect against cancer. Don't eat the green leaves!
4. Escarole- helps reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Contains fiber and antioxidents.
5. Banana ice cream- I recently started making this and love it! You can make it plain by blending frozen bananas until creamy or add a little vanilla extract and nutmeg. Yum! Banana ice cream reduces kidney cancer and is loaded with potassium and magnesium.

One thing I noted while watching this show, the word vegan was never used. People seem to fear or run from the word vegan but a "plant based diet" or "cancer reducing diet" may change that!

Bravo to Dr. Oz for addressing this issue and bringing it to the attention of many.

For more information and recipe ideas, check out http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/nutrition-plan-will-save-your-life

Laeticia is an Organic Vegan dedicated to a healthy lifestyle and the mom of a sweet little boy. She is currently studying Sign Language and has interest in pursuing a career in Nutrition and Fitness. To follow Laeticia on Twitter, http://twitter.com/#!/laeticiabutler and facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/Vegwritingmomma

Laeticia's blog- www.vegwritingmomma.com