The Foods We Eat and what they can do.

[JLM]

"You talked about Dr. Art and the organic brouhaha, but I'm curious as to what you think about the food picture in general...for example, do you think food is as good (for you) now as it was back in your "good old days?" (We're all different ages, I assume)..."

My philosophy is simple, first if you are not doing any physical activity to keep in shape, there is no sense even concerning yourself about food. Second there are very few foods I exclude or avoid, with the exception of tofu, limberger cheese, yogurt and tongue. I eat lots of vegetables, a little bit of fruit, some grains, red meat three or four times a week, chicken and fish regularly, a few eggs, I limit dairy to skim milk, skim milk cheese (mostly), some ice cream and I drink lots of coffee, and limit my drinking to one or two good drunks a year. I eat a wide diversity of vegetables regularly, lots of tomato, carrots, cabbage, celery, onions, Swiss chard in season, lettuce, beets, turnips, parsnips, Brussel sproats, broccoli. That's about it.

 

[JLM]

Yes, Anna, the young generation today will be the first to die at a younger age than their parents due to atrocious eating habits and mainly from lack of physical exercise, from obesity and diabetes.

 

[countryboy]

"You talked about Dr. Art and the organic brouhaha, but I'm curious as to what you think about the food picture in general...for example, do you think food is as good (for you) now as it was back in your "good old days?" (We're all different ages, I assume)..."

My philosophy is simple, first if you are not doing any physical activity to keep in shape, there is no sense even concerning yourself about food. Second there are very few foods I exclude or avoid, with the exception of tofu, limberger cheese, yogurt and tongue. I eat lots of vegetables, a little bit of fruit, some grains, red meat three or four times a week, chicken and fish regularly, a few eggs, I limit dairy to skim milk, skim milk cheese (mostly), some ice cream and I drink lots of coffee, and limit my drinking to one or two good drunks a year. I eat a wide diversity of vegetables regularly, lots of tomato, carrots, cabbage, celery, onions, Swiss chard in season, lettuce, beets, turnips, parsnips, Brussel sproats, broccoli. That's about it.

I wasn't trying to pry into your eating habits but it sounds like a good diet to me! So I'm assuming you haven't seen a lot of change in the food over the years, probably because you don't eat a lot of "processed food" anyway. By "processed", I mean ready-to-eat things that go into a microwave.

Incidentally, the food you eat would likely be not too bad for a person who is confined to a wheelchair or otherwise immobile. Veggies are good!

Thanks for the info...

 

[JLM]

I wasn't trying to pry into your eating habits but it sounds like a good diet to me! So I'm assuming you haven't seen a lot of change in the food over the years, probably because you don't eat a lot of "processed food" anyway. By "processed", I mean ready-to-eat things that go into a microwave.

Incidentally, the food you eat would likely be not too bad for a person who is confined to a wheelchair or otherwise immobile. Veggies are good!

Thanks for the info...

For one thing and for a different reason, I try to limit the stuff I buy in glass jars or tin cans. Why add 20% to the cost of your food bill and add to the amount that needs to be recycled? The odd time cans are necessary, but I watch it.

 

[countryboy]

For one thing and for a different reason, I try to limit the stuff I buy in glass jars or tin cans. Why add 20% to the cost of your food bill and add to the amount that needs to be recycled? The odd time cans are necessary, but I watch it.

Hey JLM, you're starting to sound suspiciously Scottish, like me! Ha, ha...good for you! I've been trying to do just that for years now and I can add one more reason to the pile...I have to carry in groceries from the vehicle in some downright ugly weather and the fewer cans, bottles, and other assorted containers I have to carry, the fewer trips I have to make in the snow! Besides, if I drop a bag chances are the potatoes won't break but the glass always does! We live in a rural area (as you know) and shop more or less "in bulk!'

 

[AnnaG]

For one thing and for a different reason, I try to limit the stuff I buy in glass jars or tin cans. Why add 20% to the cost of your food bill and add to the amount that needs to be recycled? The odd time cans are necessary, but I watch it.

I reuse a lot of glass. I haven't bought any Kerr jars for so long I can't remember. Cans are easy to squish and throw in the bins.

 

[countryboy]

Scientists have proved for the first time that fructose, a cheap form of sugar used in thousands of food products and soft drinks, can damage human metabolism and is fueling the obesity crisis.
Fructose, a sweetener usually derived from corn, can cause dangerous growths of fat cells around vital organs and is able to trigger the early stages of diabetes and heart disease.
Over 10 weeks, 16 volunteers on a controlled diet including high levels of fructose produced new fat cells around their heart, liver and other digestive organs. They also showed signs of food-processing abnormalities linked to diabetes and heart disease. Another group of volunteers on the same diet, but with glucose sugar replacing fructose, did not have these problems.


More at:
Sugar May Be Bad, But This Sweetener Is Far More Deadly

 

[countryboy]

MOST FRUIT JUICE IS ABOUT AS HEALTHY AS SODA (POP)

(NaturalNews) When it comes to healthy beverage options, most people would probably agree that fruit juice is a better choice than soda or coffee. After all, juice comes from fruit so it must be healthy, right? Many experts are now in agreement that because of over-processing and pasteurization, most fruit juice contains only a hint of the nutrients it originally had and is not much healthier than a can of soda pop.

Research has shown that a glass of fruit juice typically contains more calories than a glass of soda. Most fruit juices are also very high in fructose, a simple sugar commonly associated with obesity due to its quick conversion to fat. Even though the fructose in fruit juice is natural compared to the toxic high fructose corn syrup most often used to sweeten soda, natural fructose still goes straight to the liver where it quickly metabolizes.

A piece of whole fruit is rich in fiber, antioxidants, and other vital nutrients that work in conjunction with one another to nourish the body. Most fruit juice has been stripped of all these things during processing, rendering a juice that is high in sugar but low in nutrients. A glass of commercial apple juice, for instance, has six apples' worth of fructose and none of the fiber and pulp that helps to properly assimilate that sugar into the body. The result is an overload of sugar that floods the liver, increasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Some juices, like grape juice, still contain reasonable levels of antioxidants and polyphenols, making them a much better option than soda in terms of naturally-occurring nutrients. However, nutrient levels greatly diminish between the time the fruit was harvested and when it goes into someone's refrigerator in the form of juice. Since many juices are reconstituted from concentrate, their vitamin and mineral content is even further degraded.

Freshly-squeezed juices are preferable to store-bought juice concentrates since they have their full nutrient content and contain some of the pulp and other substances that are typically strained from commercial juices. Fresh juices are also rich in living enzymes that aid in digestive health and help to cultivate a strong immune system. A rich, living food, fresh juice is an excellent way to maintain good health.

Juicing fruits and vegetables together is also a great way to reduce excessive sugar intake from fruit juice alone while obtaining a more diverse range of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and enzymes.

About the Author

Ethan Huff is a freelance writer and health enthusiast who loves exploring the vast world of natural foods and health, digging deep to get to the truth. He runs an online health publication of his own at http://wholesomeherald.blogspot.com.

Article is from www.naturalnews.com

 

[JLM]

MOST FRUIT JUICE IS ABOUT AS HEALTHY AS SODA (POP)

(NaturalNews) When it comes to healthy beverage options, most people would probably agree that fruit juice is a better choice than soda or coffee. After all, juice comes from fruit so it must be healthy, right? Many experts are now in agreement that because of over-processing and pasteurization, most fruit juice contains only a hint of the nutrients it originally had and is not much healthier than a can of soda pop.

Research has shown that a glass of fruit juice typically contains more calories than a glass of soda. Most fruit juices are also very high in fructose, a simple sugar commonly associated with obesity due to its quick conversion to fat. Even though the fructose in fruit juice is natural compared to the toxic high fructose corn syrup most often used to sweeten soda, natural fructose still goes straight to the liver where it quickly metabolizes.

A piece of whole fruit is rich in fiber, antioxidants, and other vital nutrients that work in conjunction with one another to nourish the body. Most fruit juice has been stripped of all these things during processing, rendering a juice that is high in sugar but low in nutrients. A glass of commercial apple juice, for instance, has six apples' worth of fructose and none of the fiber and pulp that helps to properly assimilate that sugar into the body. The result is an overload of sugar that floods the liver, increasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Some juices, like grape juice, still contain reasonable levels of antioxidants and polyphenols, making them a much better option than soda in terms of naturally-occurring nutrients. However, nutrient levels greatly diminish between the time the fruit was harvested and when it goes into someone's refrigerator in the form of juice. Since many juices are reconstituted from concentrate, their vitamin and mineral content is even further degraded.

Freshly-squeezed juices are preferable to store-bought juice concentrates since they have their full nutrient content and contain some of the pulp and other substances that are typically strained from commercial juices. Fresh juices are also rich in living enzymes that aid in digestive health and help to cultivate a strong immune system. A rich, living food, fresh juice is an excellent way to maintain good health.

Juicing fruits and vegetables together is also a great way to reduce excessive sugar intake from fruit juice alone while obtaining a more diverse range of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and enzymes.

About the Author

Ethan Huff is a freelance writer and health enthusiast who loves exploring the vast world of natural foods and health, digging deep to get to the truth. He runs an online health publication of his own at http://wholesomeherald.blogspot.com.

Article is from [URL="http://www.naturalnews.com"]www.naturalnews.com[/URL]

Yep, it's been my contention that these fruit juices are over rated and perhaps fruit is too. One piece of fruit a day is plenty, lots of vegetables however is necessary (including tomatoes, one of the heathy "fruits".

 

[countryboy]

Yep, it's been my contention that these fruit juices are over rated and perhaps fruit is too. One piece of fruit a day is plenty, lots of vegetables however is necessary (including tomatoes, one of the heathy "fruits".

.

Yeah JLM, I don't think it's all that difficult to figure out. Some people insist we're progressing in every way, but I think we're going backwards in the food department. I wonder how our the whole situation would look (including health care) if most people ate their veggies and walked a couple of miles (OK, 3.2 km) a day?

They'd probably feel so good that even some of the comments in this forum might become more congenial! :lol::lol::lol:

 

[JLM]

.

Yeah JLM, I don't think it's all that difficult to figure out. Some people insist we're progressing in every way, but I think we're going backwards in the food department. I wonder how our the whole situation would look (including health care) if most people ate their veggies and walked a couple of miles (OK, 3.2 km) a day?

They'd probably feel so good that even some of the comments in this forum might become more congenial! :lol::lol::lol:

Yep, I'm totally convinced that some strenuous walking daily would eliminate a lot of people's problems and believe it or not it can be fun. I think I told you about the 285 steps I climb regularly (in five minutes) and that feels so good as I approach my 67th birthday. Caution to people don't try to do it the first day, It's taken me 11 years to get up to the point I am now.

 

[Johnnny]

i might get slammed for this, and its my own opinion based on who ive met... But it seems North americans are always bigger people then europeans/africans and asians on average...

 

[countryboy]

Yep, I'm totally convinced that some strenuous walking daily would eliminate a lot of people's problems and believe it or not it can be fun. I think I told you about the 285 steps I climb regularly (in five minutes) and that feels so good as I approach my 67th birthday. Caution to people don't try to do it the first day, It's taken me 11 years to get up to the point I am now.

Yep, it's good to remember that good things are not necessarily "instant." We sort of get conditioned to think that way (fast food, hi-speed info. on the Internet, etc.), but the body doesn't work that way, usually.

When I lived in Toronto, they had an annual "walk up the CN Tower" thing which looked pretty grueling to me. Don't know how many steps that is...to me, it's one of those "Looks good from afar, but far from good" things! :lol:

 

[countryboy]

i might get slammed for this, and its my own opinion based on who ive met... But it seems North americans are always bigger people then europeans/africans and asians on average...

I don't know why anyone would slam you for that, Johnny. I agree with you on the Asian observation in general, but I think that is beginning to change...some Japanese kids are getting bigger it seems, and the heavier "western" diet is likely the reason.

Europeans? Hmm...I don't know...I've met some fairly large folks from Germany, Holland, and other countries but never really paid that much attention.

I think we Canadians/Americans might be "bigger" around the middle, as the headlines on obesity are telling us. If we talking waist size, you might be right on.

 

[Ron in Regina]

i might get slammed for this, and its my own opinion based on who ive met... But it seems North americans are always bigger people then europeans/africans and asians on average...

Bigger how? Bigger as in fatter? Taller? Heavier built?

 

[Johnnny]

waist size for sure, then all around size.... Taller most euros beat most of us though i agree

 

[Mowich]

I saw a new ad from the Heart and Stroke Foundation the other day, it states clearly that processed food is bad for your heart. I would add it is bad for you.

 

[talloola]

Yep, it's been my contention that these fruit juices are over rated and perhaps fruit is too. One piece of fruit a day is plenty, lots of vegetables however is necessary (including tomatoes, one of the heathy "fruits".

lots of tomatoe eating in this house, from my large batches of spaghetti sauce I make and freeze. That sauce can be
added to many different meals in different ways.
It also has ground beef, ground pork, and stewing beef,
so some of the containers have more meat than others,
for the different uses.
I have yogurt every morning as part of my porridge mixture.
porridge, mashed banana, blueberries,yogurt,granola, and
drizzle maple syrup on top, add milk, and this morning
meal can take one right to an early supper around 4 oclock.
I have a coffee and a goodie around lunchtime.
I make sure we have the yogurt for the digestive system,
and I'm not much of a yogurt eater, but love it on the
porridge, mixed with other things, tastes like a morning
dessert rather than something very good for you.
The yogurt I use is 'prune', or 'apple and muesli'.

 

[countryboy]

lots of tomatoe eating in this house, from my large batches of spaghetti sauce I make and freeze. That sauce can be
added to many different meals in different ways.
It also has ground beef, ground pork, and stewing beef,
so some of the containers have more meat than others,
for the different uses.
I have yogurt every morning as part of my porridge mixture.
porridge, mashed banana, blueberries,yogurt,granola, and
drizzle maple syrup on top, add milk, and this morning
meal can take one right to an early supper around 4 oclock.
I have a coffee and a goodie around lunchtime.
I make sure we have the yogurt for the digestive system,
and I'm not much of a yogurt eater, but love it on the
porridge, mixed with other things, tastes like a morning
dessert rather than something very good for you.

You're making me hungry! Those little bugs in yogurt are really "good for the guts", if you'll pardon the earthy expression.

Good point on the tomatoes in the freezer. I can't organize myself as well as you do, so I just wash and freeze whole tomatoes (plums and beefsteaks) and use them for various cooking purposes throughout the winter...sauces, soups, stews, and other comfort foods. Flavours are really nice and "fresh" tasting. I usually pick well over 100 lbs. at a U-pick place and it's CHEAP! And a bit of exercise and a nice healthy "outing" too!

 

[JLM]

lots of tomatoe eating in this house, from my large batches of spaghetti sauce I make and freeze. That sauce can be
added to many different meals in different ways.
It also has ground beef, ground pork, and stewing beef,
so some of the containers have more meat than others,
for the different uses.
I have yogurt every morning as part of my porridge mixture.
porridge, mashed banana, blueberries,yogurt,granola, and
drizzle maple syrup on top, add milk, and this morning
meal can take one right to an early supper around 4 oclock.
I have a coffee and a goodie around lunchtime.
I make sure we have the yogurt for the digestive system,
and I'm not much of a yogurt eater, but love it on the
porridge, mixed with other things, tastes like a morning
dessert rather than something very good for you.
The yogurt I use is 'prune', or 'apple and muesli'.

Yogart is probably the only food I haven't worked up the courage yet to try, my grand daughters eat quite a bit of it and don't seem to mind it. It's probably silly of me as I scrape the mold off cheese and eat so yogart probably isn't much worse. As far as processed food is concerned the manufacture and sale thereof should be criminalized- at least the excess. I guess in our democratic era it may be in order to allows stores to stock a maximum of 5% of their stock in processed food. Invariably if you take all foods that come in white or brown, brown is the better choice.