Sunday, November 30, 2008

Infos - pH miracle diet critics

By Amanda Marlenti

When something becomes popular, invites criticism from other sources. The pH recently popular diet miracle is no different.

The main criticism of the diet is that it encourages people to become vegetarians and vegans. Critics say that this diet, particularly with its omission of dairy products (a vegetarian protein source), is dangerously low in protein. However, this criticism comes from the common misconception that humans need massive amounts of protein. The recent popularity of low-carb diets (which are really just high-protein diets) has re-cemented this myth in the mind of many people. Health has become equivalent with eating red meat and dairy.

However, there are many sources of natural and healthy proteins that don't have the harmful acidic effects of red meat and dairy products. The truth is, most people get too much protein and not too little. Women require about 45 grams of protein per day, and men need 55 grams. Beans contain at least 8 grams of protein per half cup. So it is really quite easy to get enough protein on a vegetarian diet.

Another criticism related to this issue is calcium. Many people equate milk with strong bones. However, American women consume an average of two kilograms of milk per day, and yet 30 million of them to develop osteoporosis. If the milk helped make bones stronger, then the opposite would be true. A study by the Cornell-trained nutritionist Amy Joy Lanou showed that there was no specific link between dairy products and bone health in children and young adults. There are plenty of sources of calcium available in alkalinization categories of foods which provide protection against osteoporosis.

Many critics also argue that the emphasis on vegetables and fresh food is the real reason behind the success that people receive food. The pH miracle diet suggests eating about 70 percent of vegetables and fruits acceptable. Critics ignore the importance of a balanced pH of the food.

However, there have been many people who have experienced great results after elimination of wheat, a food acid. Wheat is not a food that one normally associates with health problems; however, the elimination of wheat has been a blessing for many people who have experienced symptoms of over-acidification of the diets. The amount of alkalizing vegetables in the diet definitely good to anyone, whether or not they have on the rest of breast feeding. From feeding the list of foods alkaline, it improves their health no matter how strict you are on the diet.

This leads to another popular criticism of the book. Many people claim that the pH miracle diet program is too strict for daily life. The elimination of common foods like animal protein, milk and wheat seems overwhelming for people. They cannot fathom going through a whole day without eating something from one of these foods groups. The idea of sticking to a diet that is primarily plant based seems too rigid and strict. However, many people who use the pH miracle diet have seen beneficial results without being 100% strict with the rules of the diet.

Like with many other diets, the pH miracle diet outlines steps toward better health. The emphasis here is on steps. It is unreasonable to expect anyone to do a complete 180-degree change in his or her eating habits overnight. Taking a slower approach to changing your diet will create longer and more successful results. If the diet is followed word for word, it is difficult at first because people are so used to eating a certain way. With time and practice though, you can move toward better health and a more pH balanced diet. - 15343

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