Last year, the American Institute for Cancer Research launched a new educational program called "The New American Plate," which calls for Americans to shift the proportions on their plates for lower weight and better health.

By emphasizing how healthy proportions will look on the plate ("two-thirds of more vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans; one-third or less animal protein") and offering recipes that emphasize the flavors, colors and textures of plant foods, the New American Plate has helped thousands of people consume a more varied and healthy diet.

Lutein: Spinach, avocado and other yellow or leafy green vegetables contain lutein which concentrates in the retina and the lens where it reduces the risk for cataracts and macular degeneration, the leading preventable cause of blindness in America, which affects 13 million people. Surprisingly, he said, lutein also slows prostate cancer cell growth. And when it is combined with lycopine, lutein demonstrates independent and additive preventive effects on prostate cancer cell growth.

Essential fatty acids (EFA's) are "good" fats necessary for producing new cell membranes. What scientists are discovering about EFA's is especially encouraging relative to the eyes. We already know that omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, for example, have a wonderful track record for enhancing the health of the heart and balancing water in the body. Recently, researchers have learned that these fatty acids also help maintain the delicate fluid balance in the eyes.

St John's Wort is nicknamed herbal Prozac. This herb is thought to act in the same way as some antidepressants by enhancing the effect of the neurotransmitter, serotonin, in the brain. It has a long history of use. One of the rare side- effects of St John's Wort is an increase in sensitivity to light. This may also explain why it is effective for treating SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) related depression in the winter.

Benefits of Uncooked Natural Foods: Avoiding cooking prevents the hazards of the microwave, of burns, of fires, of enzyme destruction, of carcinogens created by heat, the cost of cooking, the time of cooking and of cleanup, carcinogens in metal cookware such as aluminum, etc.

Low Acid Foods - Many diseases come from over acidification of the body. Meat, eggs, fish, nicotine, coffee have high acid contents. Fruits, even citrus fruits, are excellent for potassium which offsets sodium and acidification. Fruits with average levels of potassium include apricots, peaches, bananas, raisins (1/2 cup), prunes, cantaloupe, figs, dates, watermelon, and juices such as orange, grapefruit, tangerine and prunes. Fruits in general are alkaline and therefore reverse acidification... Even citrus has a biochemical change in the body.

Kidney stones are caused by excess calcium (in animal products), excess oxalic acid (from the cooking of some vegetables, and other factors. The thin green layer between potato's brown skin and white interior when cooked causes oxalic acid, e.g. Fruitarians in general have the fewest kidney stones. If you like fried potatoes it is better to cook them in olive oil and to peel them to avoid the oxalates

Fruit has the most natural fiber for good intestinal function, those who eat lots of fruit have the least intestinal cancer, constipation, appendicitis, hemorrhoids, peritonitis; etc. Citrus fruit becomes alkaline in processing. Fruit is the least acid of all foods and therefore the food which is best for long life.