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By the way, for anyone who didn't yet notice it,

PROTEIN POWDERS ARE HERE! Whoo-HOO!! ~:-D

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Hi Heidi: I thought that you and the readers would really enjoy an article in the latest (January 04) issue of Consumer Reports. The article is called Cut the Fat and actually does an excellent job of informing people how much hidden refined things are in our everyday foods.

It includes a list of the names of all sugars and explains that some people don't know that dextrose means corn sugar for example. There is a line chart that shows that American sugar consumption has risen fron 120 lbs per person per year (still that sounds like a huge amount) in 1970 to 150+ percent in 2000 and blames it all on hidden additives.

It also gives a good explaination of how the government subsidizes tax money for wheat, fats and corn production but not for fresh fruits and vegetables. Just reading about how extensively funded corn is and how much refined junk comes from that is very informative.

Thanks to the BTD I learned long ago to be a label reader and watch for that ever-present corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup and other additives. It is no wonder that even though we have abundent food sources here in the US so many are fat and suffer from food related illnesses. I think this is a good article to clip and save and pass along for years to come.

Consumer Reports said that they will be dedicating upcoming issues to more information related to this subject and it will be interesting to see more reports. With any luck, this may make the public speak out loud and clear on this subject.

One thing that makes me cringe is the huge popularity of Starbucks. Their products are loaded with sugar, fat and caffeine. I heard on the radio the other day that Starbucks choses coffees that are higher in caffeine that others. A new one opened not far from us and you would be amazed at all the junior high and high school kids that flock there. I am not a coffee drinker, so I just pass the Starbucks by but it is probably not long before these kids have some real negative effects of all of this.

Finally, I do want to say that I had fallen off the wagon a bit in following the diet and now have a lot of weight to lose. I had been following it pretty closely but as soon as I was eating things that were not right for me, I am now paying the price! Overall my health is good and I have been walking everyday but do have a pile of weight so it is back to the diet for me.

I just went for my physical and my doctor (a new doctor to me and a woman to boot) is very supportive. She did suggest Weight Watchers but I am not sure if that will be the direction I go. I have gotten back on the diet and am following the PCOS type theory to cleanse your body for four days eating fruits, vegetables and no red meat. Will see how that goes. It is all beneficials or neutrals from my list (type so that should be OK. Thanks, Joyce

Hey, Joyce -- I appreciate that heads-up about the Consumer Reports article, and I sure do agree that the fast food industry is a major reason why we see so much illness in younger & younger people each year. :-( I'm so glad you're keeping in touch here! Let me know how you feel after your four-day no-meat fast. Taking a break now & again from meat protein won't hurt, but it doesn't always help... so keep me posted, OK? All the best, dear! :-D

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Heidi, this is a reply on a message board I belong to that was discussing the BTD-Please pass it on to Peter and Doc Bron. The website is www.fit-pro.com go to the discussiion board. Please ignore my bad grammar. Angel F

"I did not start thid diet to lose weight at all. I was because I was having abdominal pains that were unbearable and could not control my bowl movements. I was initially told it was because it was my pregnancy, but 6 months later I still had the problem. I have been off an on th diet for a feew years. I don't regret finding it.

"What I regret is believing the food pyramid was the way to go- These are some questions to think about--Why do we have a higher incidence of childhood obesity? why is america getting fatter overall? Why are they changing the food pyramid in 2005? Why do dietitians tell clients they do not have to exercise at all to lose weight? Why do they say to a pregnant woman I want you to eat as much fat as possible to gain weight? ( I normally gained just under 20 pounds with each of my 5 (yes-five) children? Why don't dietitians and exercise professionals work together to a healthy lifestyle?

"I think you are missing the point with the BTD. It is not a restrictive in any way. You can pick and choose what you want to incorporate into your diet and lifestyle keeping in mind all of the varibles out there. If you go off for one minute he does not brow beat you it is ok. You can also do some kickboxing if you are an A.

"I understand Celiac disease I have three kids with it. The BTD has been a godsend to us. It follows the guidelines for eating with celiac for the most part with my sensitivities I can not have milk.

"Has anyone else tried to review the bibliography off of the website? You how people preach tolerance I think many people need to learn to do the same with this issue as well as the other diets are being pushed. Why give Atkins and the Zone and others prime press time and research money and not this one. The reseach on this diet has been going longer than any other out there. It started with peter's Father. Think on that."

Hello, Angel! You are very brave to take on the dietary message board world, and I am sure others will benefit from what you've said there. People often fall into a 'system' that doesn't help them -- but they've invested so much time, energy and hope into it that switching to a different one presents major emotional obstacles. It takes energetic, courageous people like you to be willing to offer your findings in that environment. I'll bet many are quietly grateful that you did so... including me! Thanks, and bless ya! :-D

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My husband and I have noticed some things odd about our food lists. For instance. Both of us are to avoid oatmeal (he's A, I'm O) but there is a recipe for walnut granola containing rolled oats. I looked up rolled oats and it says oatmeal and has a picture of oatmeal.

Another thing we find odd is O type is neutral on apples but should avoid apples juice? Thank you. Amy

Hi, Amy -- Welcome!! :-)

The answer on oats is that it is neutral for type O secretors, and avoid for O nonsecretors. This is clarified in the book Live Right 4 Your Type, which contains new research on the blood type diets and foods/supplements. If you prefer not to find out your secretor status, then you can use the general rule for oats: if you have no inflammatory conditions, and are not overweight, you can include it occasionally as a neutral food.

Apples are another item which O secretors can have and which O nonsecretors should avoid. The apple juice referred to in the book is commercial processed apple juice and cider, which are mostly sugar and very little "apple-y-ness." ;-) thanks for your note, Amy, and I hope you and your husband will feel free to pop back in here with any other Qs that arise! :-)

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Hi Heidi, i also start my day with reading your column! I have been on the btd for a few years now, and became really succesfull after finding out i was a A2 and a non-secretor, i lost weight, cleared my sinuses (after 20 years of problems) became more energized and less sick with flues etc. I lost even more weight when i found a book about carbohydrateaddiction from the Hellers. When i combined the btd with their guidelines on eating carbs i lost 50 lbs in a year. I am a happy person (have still more weigth to lose, but i will just carry on and it will happen) greetings from Holland -- Peggy

Hey, that's great to hear that your secretor/A2 diet is working well for you! Many people find that they progress more quickly by limiting grains and sugars more strictly than Live Right suggests. I'm really happy to hear of your great success so far, Peggy! enjoy!! ~:-D

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