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| image: Scientific American blogs: Symbiartic |
- The USDA isn't the only people manipulating what we eat. How often have we described a food as being "like crack"? Well, there's evidence that this is no accident, and in some cases, not so much our fault as the purposeful manipulation by the food industry.
- As if you had any doubt that food can be literally addictive, there's the Scientific American blog entry on food addictions: Of Course I'm Stressed, I'm in Cookie Withdrawl
- If that's a little complex to follow (there's a lot of graphs and data), there's this version that was simplified with illustrations (the comic version, if you will): Your Brain on Cookies.
Now often there are graphics going around FB that give me pause, and recently as I've been working on dealing with my issues with grain, concerns about the amount of carbs and sugars I'm getting, and finding sufficient protein with my current doubts about meat (is it ethical? Is it really beef or is it horse? what's in the meat I'm eating?) this particular graphic really struck me.
Now there are a few things there that I never thought about, like protein in broccoli, but the thing that bothers me most is the amount of carbs in some of this stuff. I tried Quinoa, loved it, but it just about killed me (HUGE reactive hypoglycemic drop). I can only eat about a tablespoon of it, which is rather counterproductive. I've also been looking at the carbs in beans (which I do eat). What would really help would be a chart showing the protein, carbs, and glycemic index of these foods. I suspect that if I want one, I'll have to make one.
Don't even get me started (yet again) on the politics of food. It started with Food Inc., but has been really propelled by Dr. Kessler's book The End of Overeating (almost identical to the article you quoted above. I wonder if that Kraft executive was one of the one's Dr. Kessler anonymously quotes. LOL)
ReplyDeleteRight now, at least, the only carbs / starch I eat is reduced fat Wheat Thins, 1-2 times a day. And the occasional breading on 4 onion rings. (no more than once a week, if that.) That is IT. We really need so little in the way of carbs, but you are right, we really have to watch where else it seeps in. I'm big on nuts and avocadoes. I have nuts as my morning/breakfast protein 6 days a week, side some cheese as well. I really do feel immeasurably better, lighter, and cravings have almost entirely vanished. It's great! :)
I joke that I'm a protein bar addict, and yes, I do get carb cravings. But I've become more conscious of the carbs I'm taking in, and where I'm taking them. And I've developed a different taste. A lot of those addictive foods: Sweet, carb, and salt... those are things we've drastically cut down on.
DeleteWe haven't had a salt shaker in this house for years. Now a lot of processed foods (which are very high in sodium) are simply unpalatable to me... and Cay. Sugar is another thing: I don't like things that are terribly sweet... so a lot of over-sweetened products, even those with artificial sweeteners, taste awful to me. And I've become increasingly carb savvy.
I've cut more and more of those protein bars out of my diet as a result, and there are some which I do continue to buy as a "treat" or as something to balance my blood sugar, but I've lost the illusion that most of these things are "healthy". That's not to say there isn't a place for them... and that other people have needs that can be addressed by these bars... and they're certainly a good way to replace a meal (in some cases) with a high protein, filling food that has the kind of flavor many people crave. BUT, some of these bars are no better than cookies or candy, and we need to be aware that just because the word "protein" is on the front, or "energy" (remember, energy = calories), or "diet" doesn't mean that it's the best choice.
The New York Times magazine did a related article a few days ago. This is the link. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/magazine/the-extraordinary-science-of-junk-food.html?hp&pagewanted=all&_r=2&
ReplyDeleteCindy, that is a VERY telling article... thanks for the link. I'm going to make it a clickable link here to make it easier for people to get to:
ReplyDeleteThe Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food