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The Myth of Low Fat and Low GI

"Low-fat" and "Low-GI" numbers have convinced us that highly refined biscuits, cereals, and snack bars are nutritious.  Processed foods are a large part of the modern diet, and according to the World Health Organization, they are to blame for the sharp rise in obesity and chronic disease (1).

It is time for a health value index for whole foods.

We need new numbers that can tell us how fresh, how vital, how nutritious food is.  The "Prana Index" is a measure of how close food is to something that was once alive itself.  "Prana" is the Sanskrit word for energy or life force.  High Prana food is the best way to stay healthy and to stay slim.

High Prana foods have the following characteristics:

Nutrient dense

The RDI levels of basic vitamins and mineral are not enough.  "Nutrient-dense" means that there are adequate vitamins and minerals for every gram of food energy present.  Don't make your body use up valuable nutrient stores just to metabolise your excessive carbohydrates.

Accessory nutrients

It is not just about vitamins and minerals anymore. There are thousands of essential nutrients in nature including enzymes, sulphur compounds, and antioxidants.

Phytonutrients

Phytochemicals are a special class of accessory nutrient. They are the pigments responsible for the natural colour of fruit and vegetables.  Phytochemicals protect against heart disease, degenerative disease, and damage by ageing. They act as antioxidants and improve immunity.

Probiotics

Fermented foods such as natural yoghurt, miso and pickles contain bacteria that are beneficial for digestion and the immune system.

Fats and oils

As long as they are not processed or heated vegetable oils, fatty foods are high Prana foods.  Natural oils from unprocessed meat, fish, eggs, avocado, dairy, nuts and seeds provide important nutrition for cell membranes, the nervous system, and hormone balance.

Fibre

Soluble fibre such as inulin from root vegetables and lignan from flax meal are healthier options than grains.

Protein

Protein builds muscle, skin, organs and immune cells.

Humane conditions

Animal products contain stress hormones if the animals were raised in inhumane conditions.  There is more beneficial Prana from meat, eggs, and dairy grown in healthy, humane environments.

Fresh

Produce and meat lost nutritional value if it is left to sit.

Raw

Prana is highest in raw foods.  Many foods such as fruit, vegetables and even some fish and meat, can be consumed raw or very lightly cooked.  Raw foods contain more enzymes and accessory nutrients

Organic

Because it is grown in rich soil, organic produce contains higher levels of many nutrients, including trace minerals. Organic food is also free of harmful pesticide and antibiotic residues.

Water

The energy value of pure water speaks for itself.  We are 70% water!  Herbal teas and diluted juices also contain the benefits of pure water.  Caffeine and alcohol deplete it.

Summary

Prana is greatest in food that is naturally brightly coloured, nutrient-dense, and derived from plants and animals that were healthy, and that were recently alive.  The best foods are raw or lightly cooked garden vegetables and fresh meat.

The further the food is from its source, the less Prana it will contain.  If it is very heavily processed and high in sugar, food will steal the body's nutrients and deplete Prana.

The Prana Index ranks foods on a scale of 1 to 10.  Aim for a Prana average of 7.  This is possible even for those of us with busy schedules.  And remember, if it has a label, it probably has low Prana!  Whole foods are, by definition, not packaged.

Prana 109876
Linseed meal Raw sunflower seeds Homemade muesli Raw almonds
Brown rice
Fresh hummus
Pumpernickel or spelt bread
Wild berries straight from the bush Organic blueberries Non-organic frozen berries
Organic apples
Non-organic stone fruit Non-organic apple
Rocket, spinach, chard, herbs from the garden Fresh herbs
Organic stonefruit
Organic rocket, spinach, bok choy
Avocado
Non-organic rocket, spinach, bok choy
Cos lettuce
Tomato
Pumpkin
Fresh raw fish minutes from the ocean Sashimi (raw fish) Organic lamb
Organic chicken
Free-range eggs
Free-range chicken
Unsweetened sheep's milk yoghurt
Tinned wild salmon
Conventional eggs
Goat cheese
Sushi roll
Olive oil
Rare lamb chops
Wheatgrass, freshly pressed Organic freshly squeezed vegetable juice Non-organic freshly squeezed vegetable juice Fresh orange Juice
Prana 54321
Basmati rice
Oats
Potatoes
Honey
Quality chocolate
Wholemeal bread
Flavoured yoghurt
Roasted peanuts
Rice noodles
Muffins
Muesli bars
Pasta
Processed peanut butter
Homemade biscuits
Conventional breakfast cereals
White bread
Potato chips
Processed sweet biscuits
Chocolate bars
Cordials
Chocolate spread
Dried fruit Bananas
Frozen peas, corn etc. Iceberg lettuce
Beef mince
Cheese
Coconut milk
Chicken
Tinned tuna
Butter
Processed meat
Fish and chips
Meat pie
Protein bars Ice cream
Frozen dinners
Take away pizza
Bottled orange juice Cappuccino without sugar
Wine or naturally brewed beer
Cappuccino with sugar

Negative (zero Prana) foods:

  • Refined sugar
  • Soft drinks
  • Lollies
  • Margarine, vegetable oil spread
  • Spirits, commercial beers
  • Cheese-flavoured snacks
  • Artificial sweeteners

Sample MENU for a "7"

Weekday 1Weekday 2Weekend
BreakfastBreakfastBreakfast
Oat muesli w. raw seeds = 7
Plain sheep�s milk yoghurt = 7
Spring water = 7
Porridge = 7
Linseed powder = 8
Honey = 4
Herbal tea = 7
2 Free-range eggs = 7
Bacon = 4
Pumpernickel bread = 6
Butter = 5
Large fresh organic vegetable juice = 10 (x2)
Mid AMMid AM 
Cappuccino, no sugar = 3 Organic peach = 9
LunchLunchLunch
2 Sushi rolls = 6 (x2)
Spring water = 7
Wholemeal bread = 3
Tinned tuna = 5
Organic rocket = 10
Large serving organic baby spinach = 10 (x2)
Sprouts = 9
Free range chicken breast = 7
Avocado = 8
Olive oil and apple cider vinegar- 6
Mid PMMid PM 
Fresh vegetable juice = 9 Organic blueberries = 10
Raw almonds = 6
Spring water = 7
Coffee = 3
Spring water = 7
DinnerDinnerDinner
Organic lamb chops = 8
Brown rice = 6
Steamed organic broccoli = 9
Butter = 5
Diluted fruit juice = 7
Coconut milk curry = 5
Free- range chicken = 7
Organic bok choy = 10
Organic carrots = 8
Rice noodles = 3
Wine = 3
2 Fresh fish = 8 (x2)
Fresh herbs = 9
Potatoes = 5
Cos lettuce- 7
Goat cheese = 6
Tomato = 7
Dessert
Fresh blueberries = 9
Coconut milk = 5
Herbal tea = 7 Quality chocolate = 4
Mineral water with fresh lemon = 8
Average = 6.8Average = 6.6Average = 7.2

References:

(1)  BBC News World Edition, 3 March, 2003.

The term Prana Index is ©Copyright Sensible-Alternative 2002-2017