1. Can Plastic Containers Sabotage Weigh Loss?
2. I’m Gaining And I Don’t Know Why!
3. Should I Stop Drinking Pasteurized Milk?

Can Plastic Containers Sabotage Weigh Loss?  Two weeks ago I started a diet plan that entails eating something small every two hours to keep my metabolism high.  I’ve been doing well, packing food containers with mini meals to eat at work.  But a friend just told me that she heard the chemicals in plastic containers cause weight gain!  Is this true? 

It depends:  Simply carrying food in plastic containers isn’t problematic--- it’s heat that makes them damaging to health.  Once heated, chemicals in plastic called phthalates and bisphenol A can leach into food.  These estrogen-mimicking chemicals can throw hormones off kilter, triggering the storage of fat in the belly and thighs.  To avoid problems, make sure food is cool before placing it in a plastic container (since leaching can start at temperatures as low as 45 degrees farenheight).  And take items out of plastic containers before reheating them.  Instead, transfer food to a ceramic or glass plate—these don’t emit toxins when heated. 

I’m Gaining And I Don’t Know Why!  To prepare for shorts season, I dieted all spring and lost 12 pounds.  It was great getting all those compliments at barbecues!  But over the summer, I slowly gained back weight because I was having intense cravings and felt too tired to exercise.  Did my dieting backfire? 

Don’t worry—this had nothing to do with your efforts to lose weight.  The likely culprit: parasites that often inhabit the meat and poultry in typical summer fare.  While high heat and thorough cooking typically eradicate these critters, quick grilling often gives parasites like protozoa a free pass.  Once in the gut, parasites absorb the nutrients that our bodies need to keep energy high.  These organisms also release biochemical signals to the digestive tract that are registered by the brain as hunger.  The result: overeating, sugar cravings and fatigue.  Fortunately, you can get rid of these parasites by consuming naturally antiparasitic raw garlic.  Just add two cloves (which you can grate or chop) to salads or sandwiches daily for 30 days and you should experience fewer cravings and restored energy. 

Should I Stop Drinking Pasteurized Milk?  An article in First about raw food inspired me to further investigate their benefits.  That’s how I learned that pasteurization kills nutrients in dairy and the enzymes that help the body absorb calcium.  Should I switch to raw dairy? 

It’s true that pasteurization eradicates nutrients (like vitamins B-6 and B-12), as well as the enzyme phosphatase, which is essential for calcium absorption.  That’s why people consume raw dairy to get the most nutrient-rich food.  But I think pasteurization of dairy and fermented drinks like apple cider is vital because it destroys life-threatening bacteria.  That said, I wouldn’t rely on pasteurized dairy foods as a major source of nutrients.  Instead, I suggest eating five to nine servings daily of fresh fruits and veggies, like berries and dark leafy greens.  These are full of calcium and the enzymes that allow your body to absorb calcium.