You're absolutely right. In general, the American Diet is horrible. The reason we are among the fattest and unhealthiest of the developed nations is because of the crap we eat.

I avoid salt just as a general health rule. I've never had an issue with my weight or my blood pressure or anything (largely because I avoid salt, lol). Your liver plays a critical role in metabolizing fat (among other bad stuff) in your body, and salt reduces your liver's efficiency. By the same token, water helps it's efficiency. I've never had any doctor or nutritionalist tell me that, it's just my own nut job notion. But so long as I stay as healthy as I am, I'll stick with it :-)

I don't necessarily disagree with avoiding red meat, but I do think it's gotten bit of a bad rap. I think the antibiotics and hormones and all the crap they pump into cows is as big of a culprit as the meat itself. As is how it's prepared. I buy organic beef, and trim the fat and cook it medium (not rare and not well done). And in moderation. Again, my own nut job notion.

And yes on the fruits & veggies - just like mom used to say.

Now if I could just find something to help my joints :-)