Many experts in my field credit Jack LaLanne, Joe Weider and “Arnold” as being the forefathers of the Health and Fitness Industry.
But over the past 15 years of training clients who live on the Westside of Los Angeles, I’ve come to a different conclusion.
Believe it or not, the people originally responsible for developing and teaching healthy dietary nutrition are the ancestors of the many people to whom I implore, on a weekly – if not daily basis, to change their eating habits. They are the Chosen Ones. They are those of the Jewish faith. They are the ones who keep Kosher.
Yes, my friends and Dear Rabbi, you’re hearing this first right here from the mouth of a Christian!
I know that my Orthodox Designers, those who observe Shabbat know, Kosher is Yiddish for “fit” or “proper”. And, in order to keep Kosher, one must not eat foods like pork, rabbit, catfish, sturgeon or shellfish; all, with the exception of certain cuts of “the other white meat”, are very high in saturated fat and cholesterol. And because milk and meat can’t be in the stomach at the same time, no cheeseburgers, lasagna (that traditional Jewish fare) or deli sandwiches (THAT traditional Jewish fare) made with cold cuts and cheese are allowed either.
In fact, one is commanded to wait between three and six hours after eating meat in order to consume anything made with dairy. While the Law is intended to keep people “clean,” it also offers several health benefits. As with many types and cuts of meat, most dairy products are high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Therefore, not only does the time spent waiting please G_d, it also pleases your “Temple”. Taking a break between two potentially high caloric “courses” allows the digestion process to begin and run efficiently. If the body gets overwhelmed with too much fat at one time, it usually means too many calories are being consumed at one time as well. That slows down one’s metabolism, causes higher amounts of insulin to be released from the pancreas and faster fat storage.
Keeping Kosher also helps those who suffer from food allergies. If you are lactose intolerant, anything marked “pareve” (without meat or dairy) is edible. If a package displays a “D”, it’s a dairy product that has never been near meat. Therefore it is guaranteed safe (as long as it’s not spoiled). Allergic to gluten? Many “Kosher” foods, especially available during Passover, are made without wheat.
And if you are wondering if the manner in which an animal is killed has any effect on a carnivore’s health…the answer is yes. Animals, as with humans, release adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol into their blood stream when they fear for their lives. These chemicals stay in the body long after the animal is dead and can be harmful to humans when eaten.
