Anti-Aging Strategies

Rice and beans are perhaps the most common foodstuffs on our planet and are popular from Mexico City to Kuala Lumpur and at every point in between. Even though they sound rather ordinary, they are yet another proof that nature is an intelligent provider. For between them they offer complete protein, lots of fiber and vitamins, a paucity of fat, and plenty of carbohydrates.

But while all this healthy eating is going on down in the huts, up in the hacienda, the master is eating rich cuts of beef and pork with lots of butter sauces, eggs, and refined sugarthe works. So what happens when the proletariat become affluent, as they have in Europe and North America? Do they keep their former diet? Heck, no! They always envied the landed gentry for their luxuries, so now they just dig into the fats and sugars with gusto. Their former foodsthe funky, found-it-under-a-rock stuff they used to have to eat for proteinmay still be snails, sweetmeats, frog legs, and other such gourmet items. Only now they're covered with cream and butter sauces.

Yes, indeed, affluence has a huge influence on diet... but not all for the better!