Is this just a coincidence?

[southsider2k5]

No I haven't.

 

I miss the good old days of you going ape s*** when Nancy Reagen would tell us not to use drugs.

 

You weren't even born then

[lostfan]

lol how is Michelle Obama not a government official and hypocritical at the same time?

[ptatc]

It's exactly the opposite. The American public has been mislead by the government and has been eating on the government's tab since the Nixon administration, which is part of the reason the rate of chronic disease is so high with all populations eating the "Western Diet."

I've got to hear this one. I don't see how the government has mislead me or most of my clients about the benefits of a poor diet and they aren't picking up the tab for eating either.

[southsideirish71]

Its not McDonald's fault, or CocaCola, or the government. Its the parents and the individual's who choose to eat garbage over a proper diet. People who shove 1100 calorie super-sized meals into their yap with their diet coke of course, and then complain when they lose track of their feet because they can't see them anymore are missing who is to blame. Moderation in a diet is a wonderful thing. Hell some portion control with some common sense and maybe a tad of exercise would do people a lot of good. The worst thing however is that the current generation is preparing the next generation for failure. Happy meals, and sweets, and garbage are quick and easy and in the end people get into habit of just making their kids happy. We need to start from day one and influence our kids food selections. Kids learn from day one from their parents and their eating habits. If you are sitting on the couch shoving twinkies in your mouth guess what the kid wants to do. So if you incorporate fruits, vegetables, and lean meats with the proper portions from day one you should have a better success rate and healthier kids. Sure my kids like a happy meal, but the fact is we may go to a McDonalds once a month if at that.

 

 

[ptatc]

Its not McDonald's fault, or CocaCola, or the government. Its the parents and the individual's who choose to eat garbage over a proper diet. People who shove 1100 calorie super-sized meals into their yap with their diet coke of course, and then complain when they lose track of their feet because they can't see them anymore are missing who is to blame. Moderation in a diet is a wonderful thing. Hell some portion control with some common sense and maybe a tad of exercise would do people a lot of good. The worst thing however is that the current generation is preparing the next generation for failure. Happy meals, and sweets, and garbage are quick and easy and in the end people get into habit of just making their kids happy. We need to start from day one and influence our kids food selections. Kids learn from day one from their parents and their eating habits. If you are sitting on the couch shoving twinkies in your mouth guess what the kid wants to do. So if you incorporate fruits, vegetables, and lean meats with the proper portions from day one you should have a better success rate and healthier kids. Sure my kids like a happy meal, but the fact is we may go to a McDonalds once a month if at that.

 

Correct.

 

I get caught up in it to often as well. Between running from football practice to dance classes after school with the kids sometimes it's easier to go to the crap food.

[iamshack]

I've got to hear this one. I don't see how the government has mislead me or most of my clients about the benefits of a poor diet and they aren't picking up the tab for eating either.

Well, considering that the way people structure their eating habits is based on what the government's daily recommendations are, I think the government has been telling us how to eat for quite some time. Meanwhile, they have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. They've tried to deconstruct food and reconstruct it with only the properties they believe are the most positive ones. Unfortunately, they end up putting in artificial things that are worse than the natural things they removed. Additionally, only now are nutritionists starting to realize that foods have synergistic qualities that we don't have the capability to understand.

 

Secondly, the government has been subsidizing certain crops that have proven to be the highest-yielding for 40 years in an effort to end poverty and make food less expensive. Unfortunately that means our agriculture is dominated by very few strains of very few crops using very few soil components all treated with the same pesticides. What this has done is indeed increased yields and brought down the costs of food. But it also means our foods are dominated by the same few strains of wheat and corn, and our produce the same few strains of the highest yielding fruits and vegetables. There is no variation. That is not healthy. We are not getting the variety of nutrients we should be.

 

Additionally, our soil has been degraded to the point where our crops are not nearly as nutritionally dense as they once were. They are becoming almost as empty calories as the artificial crap we put on our shelves. How terrible is it that you can't even get the nutrients you need out of the produce that comes right out of the soil?

 

And guess what? That soil is the same thing that the feed that we feed our livestock grows from. So then the livestock is fed a bunch of empty calories and develops into the meat that we eventually eat down the line, which is not as healthy as the meat our parents ate and their parents ate before them.

 

 

[iamshack]

Its not McDonald's fault, or CocaCola, or the government. Its the parents and the individual's who choose to eat garbage over a proper diet. People who shove 1100 calorie super-sized meals into their yap with their diet coke of course, and then complain when they lose track of their feet because they can't see them anymore are missing who is to blame. Moderation in a diet is a wonderful thing. Hell some portion control with some common sense and maybe a tad of exercise would do people a lot of good. The worst thing however is that the current generation is preparing the next generation for failure. Happy meals, and sweets, and garbage are quick and easy and in the end people get into habit of just making their kids happy. We need to start from day one and influence our kids food selections. Kids learn from day one from their parents and their eating habits. If you are sitting on the couch shoving twinkies in your mouth guess what the kid wants to do. So if you incorporate fruits, vegetables, and lean meats with the proper portions from day one you should have a better success rate and healthier kids. Sure my kids like a happy meal, but the fact is we may go to a McDonalds once a month if at that.

This is generally good advice, but the problem is, studies are showing that even if one eats what the government and their studies claim is a "healthy diet," this isn't necessarily leading to less chronic disease or illness. The long term health of people has not shown to really improve even by following what the government claims is a "balanced diet." That's because the government doesn't really understand what a healthy diet is. Nor do most of our stores provide the necessary foods to follow one.

 

[BigSqwert]

This is generally good advice, but the problem is, studies are showing that even if one eats what the government and their studies claim is a "healthy diet," this isn't necessarily leading to less chronic disease or illness. The long term health of people has not shown to really improve even by following what the government claims is a "balanced diet." That's because the government doesn't really understand what a healthy diet is. Nor do most of our stores provide the necessary foods to follow one.

When you get a chance pick up The China Study. It was a strong factor in my current dietary decisions.

[bmags]

Its not McDonald's fault, or CocaCola, or the government. Its the parents and the individual's who choose to eat garbage over a proper diet. People who shove 1100 calorie super-sized meals into their yap with their diet coke of course, and then complain when they lose track of their feet because they can't see them anymore are missing who is to blame. Moderation in a diet is a wonderful thing. Hell some portion control with some common sense and maybe a tad of exercise would do people a lot of good. The worst thing however is that the current generation is preparing the next generation for failure. Happy meals, and sweets, and garbage are quick and easy and in the end people get into habit of just making their kids happy. We need to start from day one and influence our kids food selections. Kids learn from day one from their parents and their eating habits. If you are sitting on the couch shoving twinkies in your mouth guess what the kid wants to do. So if you incorporate fruits, vegetables, and lean meats with the proper portions from day one you should have a better success rate and healthier kids. Sure my kids like a happy meal, but the fact is we may go to a McDonalds once a month if at that.

 

have you ever heard of this "subsidies" thing?

[NorthSideSox72]

Its not McDonald's fault, or CocaCola, or the government. Its the parents and the individual's who choose to eat garbage over a proper diet. People who shove 1100 calorie super-sized meals into their yap with their diet coke of course, and then complain when they lose track of their feet because they can't see them anymore are missing who is to blame. Moderation in a diet is a wonderful thing. Hell some portion control with some common sense and maybe a tad of exercise would do people a lot of good. The worst thing however is that the current generation is preparing the next generation for failure. Happy meals, and sweets, and garbage are quick and easy and in the end people get into habit of just making their kids happy. We need to start from day one and influence our kids food selections. Kids learn from day one from their parents and their eating habits. If you are sitting on the couch shoving twinkies in your mouth guess what the kid wants to do. So if you incorporate fruits, vegetables, and lean meats with the proper portions from day one you should have a better success rate and healthier kids. Sure my kids like a happy meal, but the fact is we may go to a McDonalds once a month if at that.

 

 

have you ever heard of this "subsidies" thing?

 

Both good posts. I with SSI's general thought, but bmags is right in that certain farm subsidies are making things worse, and that IS something the government should do something about.

 

[Balta1701]

Both good posts. I with SSI's general thought, but bmags is right in that certain farm subsidies are making things worse, and that IS something the government should do something about.

There's a couple serious lifestyle issues here too worth considering. Not just as a matter of ease...but think about what has happened to the American family over the past 50 years...we've gone from being able to support a family on 1 income to barely being able to support an average family on 2 incomes. So, put yourself in the situation where you've got 2 parents, both of them working 9-5 jobs, having to then pick up the kids from school/day care, get home at 6-7 after an hour in traffic, and then find a way to feed the kids before bedtime. Oh, and a decent restaurant isn't an option, those are too expensive for the average 2 income household.

 

On top of that...a lot of kids are getting the same frozen processed faux-food in school that they're getting at McDonalds as well.

[NorthSideSox72]

There's a couple serious lifestyle issues here too worth considering. Not just as a matter of ease...but think about what has happened to the American family over the past 50 years...we've gone from being able to support a family on 1 income to barely being able to support an average family on 2 incomes. So, put yourself in the situation where you've got 2 parents, both of them working 9-5 jobs, having to then pick up the kids from school/day care, get home at 6-7 after an hour in traffic, and then find a way to feed the kids before bedtime. Oh, and a decent restaurant isn't an option, those are too expensive for the average 2 income household.

 

On top of that...a lot of kids are getting the same frozen processed faux-food in school that they're getting at McDonalds as well.

Heh. I don't have to "put" myself there, I AM there. And I WISH our jobs were 9-5.

 

ETA: The day care/school our kid is at switched to all organic a few months back, we even got to sample the foods.

 

[ChiSox_Sonix]

Its not McDonald's fault, or CocaCola, or the government. Its the parents and the individual's who choose to eat garbage over a proper diet. People who shove 1100 calorie super-sized meals into their yap with their diet coke of course, and then complain when they lose track of their feet because they can't see them anymore are missing who is to blame. Moderation in a diet is a wonderful thing. Hell some portion control with some common sense and maybe a tad of exercise would do people a lot of good. The worst thing however is that the current generation is preparing the next generation for failure. Happy meals, and sweets, and garbage are quick and easy and in the end people get into habit of just making their kids happy. We need to start from day one and influence our kids food selections. Kids learn from day one from their parents and their eating habits. If you are sitting on the couch shoving twinkies in your mouth guess what the kid wants to do. So if you incorporate fruits, vegetables, and lean meats with the proper portions from day one you should have a better success rate and healthier kids. Sure my kids like a happy meal, but the fact is we may go to a McDonalds once a month if at that.

 

Bingo.

 

I've lost 61 pounds since November because I decided to completely change my life around. At the end of the day it falls on the individual. It's just become way too easy for people in this country to justify their problems by placing blame elsewhere.

[Balta1701]

Heh. I don't have to "put" myself there, I AM there. And I WISH our jobs were 9-5.

 

ETA: The day care/school our kid is at switched to all organic a few months back, we even got to sample the foods.

Case in point.

 

Out of curiosity...is that a public or private or religious school system? (Feel free to say you don't want to answer).

[NorthSideSox72]

Case in point.

 

Out of curiosity...is that a public or private or religious school system? (Feel free to say you don't want to answer).

Private. Worked out well because it was right next to where my wife works in the burbs. And let me tell you, for a good day care / school facility, it is really f***ing expensive.

 

[Balta1701]

Private. Worked out well because it was right next to where my wife works in the burbs. And let me tell you, for a good day care / school facility, it is really f***ing expensive.

That's what I figured, and I kinda figure that if I ever have a youngin' I'm going to have to figure out how to afford a private school as well.

 

Hard to imagine that any public school could go organic, or hell even consult the parents on lunches, when they have $2/person to play with.

[iamshack]

That's what I figured, and I kinda figure that if I ever have a youngin' I'm going to have to figure out how to afford a private school as well.

 

Hard to imagine that any public school could go organic, or hell even consult the parents on lunches, when they have $2/person to play with.

Is it not possible to pack your kid's lunch yourself anymore?

[BigSqwert]

Is it not possible to pack your kid's lunch yourself anymore?

My daughter brings a packed lunch to school.

[NorthSideSox72]

That's what I figured, and I kinda figure that if I ever have a youngin' I'm going to have to figure out how to afford a private school as well.

 

Hard to imagine that any public school could go organic, or hell even consult the parents on lunches, when they have $2/person to play with.

Well, when she gets to kindergarten, we should by then be living in a solid school district, so we will probably revert to public. But in that instance, I'm guessing we'll be sending her with lunch (to answer iamshack's question). At this age though, because of how often they eat and dealing with kids that age, no one really sends lunch to school. Besides, the food they have is really good, and we already pay for it, so why not?

 

[Balta1701]

Is it not possible to pack your kid's lunch yourself anymore?

See previous post about both parents working full time.

[Jenksismyhero]

See previous post about both parents working full time.

 

So because parents work two jobs they can't spend 5 minutes making a sack lunch?

 

I'm in agreement with those that argue it's the responsibility of the individual instead of the government. While a lot of dietary issues are general to our species, in reality it's an individual thing. We're all different. We all could use more of X and less of Y.

 

We've just become a lazy country. Balta I get the point that it's more difficult as parents now, but at the same time that comes down to choice. 50 years ago parents weren't spending hundreds of dollars on cell phones, video games, cable, etc. Kids were forced to play outside and run around to keep in shape. Meals were moderate in size (regardless of the source). Today it's "what is the quickest and most convenient solution?" I could spend 5 minutes making my kid a nice sack lunch for school, or I could buy the lunchable pre-processed crap. I could make a real dinner, or I could shove a frozen pizza in the oven and save myself the hassle.

 

 

[Balta1701]

And what's a 5 minute sack lunch going to wind up being? It's going to wind up being a sandwich of some sort, maybe wheat bread if we're lucky, sugar/HFCS loaded peanut butter, sugar/HFCS loaded jelly, and a piece of fruit that has half the nutritional value that it did 20 years ago. Oh, and a pudding cup or something like that for dessert.

 

We haven't become a lazy country. We've become a country that you have to work like a dog just to be able to afford to pay the interest on your credit card bill that you've got left over from the time you were laid off or got sick without health insurance. So you make due as well as you can.

 

And can we please stop pretending that a cell phone isn't basically a mandatory thing to get by in today's society yet?

[NorthSideSox72]

And what's a 5 minute sack lunch going to wind up being? It's going to wind up being a sandwich of some sort, maybe wheat bread if we're lucky, sugar/HFCS loaded peanut butter, sugar/HFCS loaded jelly, and a piece of fruit that has half the nutritional value that it did 20 years ago. Oh, and a pudding cup or something like that for dessert.

 

We haven't become a lazy country. We've become a country that you have to work like a dog just to be able to afford to pay the interest on your credit card bill that you've got left over from the time you were laid off or got sick without health insurance. So you make due as well as you can.

I'd say both are true.

 

And we will happily be spending the 5 minutes to make lunches for the kids, when that time comes. Right now, we are fortunate in not having to do that particular thing. You bet you can make healthy lunches for them as well, it just takes a little more effort.

 

[BigSqwert]

New McGreener Fast Food Restaurant Concept On The Horizon

[ptatc]

Well, considering that the way people structure their eating habits is based on what the government's daily recommendations are, I think the government has been telling us how to eat for quite some time. Meanwhile, they have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. They've tried to deconstruct food and reconstruct it with only the properties they believe are the most positive ones. Unfortunately, they end up putting in artificial things that are worse than the natural things they removed. Additionally, only now are nutritionists starting to realize that foods have synergistic qualities that we don't have the capability to understand.

 

Secondly, the government has been subsidizing certain crops that have proven to be the highest-yielding for 40 years in an effort to end poverty and make food less expensive. Unfortunately that means our agriculture is dominated by very few strains of very few crops using very few soil components all treated with the same pesticides. What this has done is indeed increased yields and brought down the costs of food. But it also means our foods are dominated by the same few strains of wheat and corn, and our produce the same few strains of the highest yielding fruits and vegetables. There is no variation. That is not healthy. We are not getting the variety of nutrients we should be.

 

Additionally, our soil has been degraded to the point where our crops are not nearly as nutritionally dense as they once were. They are becoming almost as empty calories as the artificial crap we put on our shelves. How terrible is it that you can't even get the nutrients you need out of the produce that comes right out of the soil?

 

And guess what? That soil is the same thing that the feed that we feed our livestock grows from. So then the livestock is fed a bunch of empty calories and develops into the meat that we eventually eat down the line, which is not as healthy as the meat our parents ate and their parents ate before them.

 

I agree the government standards aren't up to the latest standards, it is far from unheathy. It takes time to get through the government red tape. If you follow their guidelines you will not be fat and unheathy. The research has shown that it is an adequate but not perfect diet. Remember the guidelines are for recommended minimum allowances. You can't blame the government standards for being inadequate if the nutritionist themselves as you state are just begining to understand the synergistic properties of foods. Which is true. But that's for very advanced diets for special needs suchas diabetes, athletes etc. Most nutritionist, dieticians and medical professionals will agree on what a good heathy diet is for an average heathy person.

 

There is nothing wrong with the types of crops which are being subsidized. It is not unheathy to have only a few strains of corn, wheat and beans. We do need variety in a diet to be heathy. But the variety isn't in the form of diferent type of corn or different type of whaet. You need many different types of nutrition but all of the types of corn etc. have basically the same nutrition. It varies some but not a great deal.

 

the soil is not effected if the farmers rotate their crops asmost do. In the Midwest they rotate between corn and beans as each one concentrates on absorbing different minerals from the soil. Like all plants the use the same minerals but use different concentrations of each.

 

I would like to see any information regarding how the soil makes the crops less nutritionally dense. The minerals in the soil will allow the crops to grow properly or not. So they can either be harvested or not. The nutritional value of the crop is in the intrinsic value of the given crop and not what it brings in from the soil, that is primarily for growth. With the catle, there is no feedcorn the has empty calories. The corn will either be heathy enough to harvest and contain the nutrients or it won't be harvested because no one will buy it.

 

While some of your points are valid, you are taking a far too extreme view of them. A varied diet is essential to being heathy and all medical professionalls will agree that if you eat all foods in moderation and eat moderate proportion you stand a ggod cance of being at least fairly heathy. The special needs populations are where it really changes.