dizziness after eating alfalfa sprouts

[mikechristian]

i bought alfalfa sprouts from Deli Plus, 115 Pavonia Avenue, a few days ago and have felt dizzy for 2 days after eating them. perhaps there is no connection and the dizziness is from an unrelated cause; however, if anyone else has experienced similar symptoms after eating food purchased there, please let me know because that might indicate an infection present in the food. thank you.

[Scott]

It's no secert that Deli Plus is not a place you want to buy food from. For me, I haven't buy ANYTHING from them since the casher gave me an attitude for nothing when I first moved here.

[Sonia]

Mike,

With Deli Plus, you must always check the container for the date of expiration. Deli Plus is notorious for selling food past that date. We've had to return food on several occassions, and on one occassion we noticed a box of cookies on the shelf that were there for over a year after the date of expiration. What amazes me is that, when you return the rotten food, they act like they are doing you a favor by refunding your money.

I hope you don't have food poisoning.

[Creature]

Additionally, sprouts are notoriously bacteria-laden - be careful!

http://www.thebody.com/fda/sprouts.html

[BaroqueJim]

It's so easy to sprout your own alfalfa seeds - they grow VERY quickly. A good way of making sure they're fresh and washed properly. I used to do it like this...

Take some ORGANIC alfalfa seeds and wash them thoroughly. Immerse them in a bowl of water for 24 hours - change the water and rinse the seeds ever 12 hours. This process will wash out all the enzyme inhibitors from the seeds and enable them to sprout.

After the 24 hours, drain the seeds and rinse again. Drain excess water. Put them in a clear dry bowl and lay a clean cloth over the top.

Rinse the seeds every 12 hours or so (or 8 if you have time). Each time, drain the excess water off and put them back in the bowl.

After a day or two, they should begin to sprout. Keep up the rinsing routine so that they're clean and moist, and they should grow VERY quickly. You can also do this with green lentils (beautiful raw in a salad), and wheat seeds. I tried sunflower seeds but they had a tendency to go mushy and develop mould - you can however keep them immersed in water and keep changing the water and rinsing them. When they're free of enzyme inhibitors, they are VERY easy to digest and very healthy. In fact, when seeds sprout, they become PACKED with digestive enzymes, aminos, minerals, vitamins and phytonutrients. They are one of the best sources of energy imaginable.

Also try keeping almonds underwater like this. I don't normally like almonds or any nuts as they are too "woody" to me, but when they're soaked they're more like fruit. And healthier. Just remember to change the water and rinse them regularly. Raisins are also better for you like this when they're rehydrated.

If you wash things thoroughly before you eat them, the bacteria shouldn't be a problem, besides which, a healthy immune system should be able to cope with a bit of bacteria anyway. And believe me, when you start eating raw sprouted seeds every day, your immune system is going to get a HUGE boost.

[bonacera]

My boyfriend and I were very ill after eating a sandwich from Deli Plus back in 2002. We were so sick for few days that we couldn't do anything, but had to stay close to a bathroom. We had a really bad headache as well. Since then, I never buy any food from there. :( I hope you feel okay now.. Get well.. :)

[ejm]

Never had any problems with any food from Deli Plus, and the guys there have always been nice to me. However, I did once buy an expired Diet Coke from there once. Maybe I just have a resilient immune system.

[mikechristian]

thanks to everyone for their kind words and advice and ideas! i've fully recovered and will be more careful in the future. :)