nutrition notes
...from the desk of Bob Hackman, Ph.D.
Nutrition Professor, Health Education Deot.
STARCH INHIBITORS
Quick and easy weight loss 1s the dream of
many obese individuals. One of the latest prod
ucts promoted for easy welaht loss is starch in
hibitors. Advertisements for these starch inhib
itors have appeared in the Emerald throughout
Soring auarter, as well as 1n many other news
papers, magazines, and brochures. What is this
substance, does it really work, and is it safe?
All brands of starch Inhibitors contain a
protein extracted from raw kidney beans, which
is supposed to interfere with the breakdown of
starch in the digestive system. Dietary starch
is a type of carbohydrate and the chief source
of calories in grains, beans and starchy veget
ables. The large starch complex must be broken
down Into simple sugars, such as glucose, in
order for 1t to be absorbed and utilized by the
body for caloric energy. Starch inhibitors, sup
posedly, prevent complete digestion of starch,
and thus, calories are not absorbed into the
body. Or so the theory goes.
There are no human studies to support the no
tion that starch inhibitors block digestion of
starch or reduce caloric intake from food. The
only evidence of their effectiveness is provided
by people who have an economic interest 1n sell
ing the product. This fact alone should maxe
any consumer skeptical of these products.
Ironically, if starch blockers do work, serious
health problems may result. Imbalances 1n blood
sugar levels can happen, causing fatigue and Ir
ritability. Another problem is the stress on the
large intestines. If undigested starch enters
the large intestine, diarrhea, gas and cramping
are likely to occur.
Fingering starch as the culprit for weight
gain is a comnon, and incorrect myth. In fact,
unrefined, starchy foods, such as whole grains,
beans, and starchv vegetables are the best types
of rood one can eat to help lose weight. Whole
starchy foods contain fiber and only a moderate
amount of calories when not eaten in excess. Fats
and sugars are the main sources of calories in
the diet, and a person wishing to lose weight
should avoid fats and sugars and engage in regu
lar physical activity, not take starch inhibitors
and continue to be a alutton.
Taking starch inhibitors gets people a*my from
what food really 1s - the Identity of food. Using
a pill to (supposedly) block starch calories does
not help reorient a person’s attitudes towards
food, which is the underlying factor 1n 80S of all
weight problems.
eat well
NAVY BEAN & CASHEW SALAD
1 head leafy lettuce or
mixed qreens
1 cud broccoli or
cauliflower pieces
>s cup cooked navy beans
h cud toasted cashew bits
*s cud marinade
cud Avocado
Dressing
or
>* cup Bleu Cneese
Dressing
Steam broccoli or cauliflower until tender and
combine with navy beans 1n marinade. Chill.
Wash and dry lettuce and tear into bite
size nieces. Drain marinade from vegetables
and beans and add them to lettuce. Add cashew
bits and dressing just before serving.
OIL AND VINEGAR MARINADE
^ cud oil h tsp paorika
slice of onion dash oepper
3 TBS vineoar
h tSD salt Optional:
h tso mustard powder h tsp basil
Shake all ingredients together 1n a jar.
Makes just over cup.
AVOCADO DRESS IN6
2 TBS oil dash oepper
1 large avodado dash chill powder
3 TBS lemon juice dash garlic powder
tsp salt
Mash avodado with fork. Shake all Ingredients
together in a jar or put everything Into a
blender and blend very briefly on low speed.
Makes 1 cup.
well read
Take Care Of Yourself: A
Consumer's Guide to Medical
Care
Bonald M. Vickery, M.D.
James F. Fries, M.D.
The book 1s comprised of flow charts that contali
key questions to ask for each common complalnt
spralns, colds, sore throat, vaginal discharge,
headache, back pain,-sunburn, etc.
Yes and no answers lead you through a network
of branching logic and end up telling you wbethe
you need to 1) see the doctor now; 2) see the
doctor today; 3) make an apoolntment to see the
doctor: or 4) apply home treatment.
There are sections of backaround Information
on each problem. Including home treatments to be
used when Indicated.