Healthy Foods

[Ken Anderson]

This thread can be used for any discussion of health foods, although, of course, you can start a separate thread if you want to talk about a specific food, if you'd like. But, what I wanted to talk about is that common perception (which I generally share) that the foods people ate many years ago were healthier than the foods we eat today.

At one time, there are many different types and varieties of vegetables, while grocery stores today limit us to the few that are cheap to produce and which have a long shelf life. Most people haven't even heard of many of the vegetables our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents ate. Plus, people once raised many of the meats they ate, and I have to think that these were healthier than the stuff we can buy in the grocery store. Our ancestors weren't pumping themselves full of vaccinations, supplements, and medications, and that sounds like it would be a more natural way to live.

Yet, average life spans then were in the 40s, while many of us are nearly, or have already doubled the average life spans of our not-so-distant ancestors.

 

[Hedi Mitchell]

Awe yes, I have already out lived my immediate family, and only 77.
My goal is not to live to be a hundred, but to live as well as possible while I am still here.
Food,real foods can make a difference, provided they are eaten in moderation and perhaps like me alternate with good and bad.

 

[John Brunner]

I often wonder about what diets really used to be like. People were limited to what was available not only in their region, but within a pretty short traveling (walking?) radius. We try to have "balanced" meals, while they were stuck with what was immediately available during a given time of year. (Of course, they burned calories to obtain calories, but that's a side issue.) I think we have traded Nutritious for Mass Availability & Long Shelf Life.

Regarding life spans...I read that while the average life span may have been 40, it was a high degree of infant mortality and childhood diseases that drug the number down. Once someone survived to young adulthood, they had a good chance of living as long as we do.

 

[Beth Gallagher]

At one time, there are many different types and varieties of vegetables, while grocery stores today limit us to the few that are cheap to produce and which have a long shelf life. Most people haven't even heard of many of the vegetables our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents ate. Plus, people once raised many of the meats they ate, and I have to think that these were healthier than the stuff we can buy in the grocery store.

I disagree with this, particularly in the large chain stores in my area. The produce sections are HUGE, and filled with all kinds of fruits and vegetables. Since we are relatively close to Mexico and the Rio Grande valley, it seems that there is an abundance of fresh foods available.

I grew up on a farm and we seldom bought any foods from the grocery, except for pantry staples (flour, salt, sugar, oil, spices, etc). We grew fruits and vegetables but they were somewhat limited to corn, potatoes and root vegetables, greens, squash, tomatoes, beans... more common stuff. We had fruit trees, a grape vine, and pecan trees. I never saw a coconut, avocado, or mango until I was grown.

I don't know if foods grown on farms back then were healthier or not. I do recall that the use of pesticides was mostly unregulated, and farmers had to keep the insects from destroying their livelihood. I even recall the crop duster airplanes working over the fields back then.

 

[Shirley Martin]

Remember toxaphene.....


Toxaphene was a widely used pesticide on cotton, other crops, and in livestock and poultry. In 1982, most of its uses were cancelled and in 1990, all uses were cancelled in the United States. The major effect of toxaphene is central nervous system (CNS) stimulation, which results in convulsive seizures. No studies are available on acute (short-term) inhalation exposure to toxaphene in humans or animals. Chronic (long term) inhalation exposure to toxaphene in humans results in reversible respiratory toxicity, while chronic, oral exposure in animals has resulted in effects on the liver, kidney, spleen, adrenal and thyroid glands, CNS, and the immune system. Animal studies have reported an increased incidence of thyroid gland tumors and liver tumors via ingestion. EPA has classified toxaphene as a Group B2, probable human carcinogen. Please Note: The main sources of information for this fact sheet are EPA's Integrated Risk Information System.

People used it on everything in the gardens. I knew a man who used it in his garden way after it was banned. He bought a big supply of it and kept using it. I told him that was a bad idea. He said, "I've been using it all this time and it hasn't hurt me." He gave me a bushel of peas. I could smell the toxaphene in them while they were cooking. I poured them out. He and both of his daughters died from cancer.

 

[Beth Gallagher]

Remember toxaphene.....


Toxaphene was a widely used pesticide on cotton, other crops, and in livestock and poultry. In 1982, most of its uses were cancelled and in 1990, all uses were cancelled in the United States. The major effect of toxaphene is central nervous system (CNS) stimulation, which results in convulsive seizures. No studies are available on acute (short-term) inhalation exposure to toxaphene in humans or animals. Chronic (long term) inhalation exposure to toxaphene in humans results in reversible respiratory toxicity, while chronic, oral exposure in animals has resulted in effects on the liver, kidney, spleen, adrenal and thyroid glands, CNS, and the immune system. Animal studies have reported an increased incidence of thyroid gland tumors and liver tumors via ingestion. EPA has classified toxaphene as a Group B2, probable human carcinogen. Please Note: The main sources of information for this fact sheet are EPA's Integrated Risk Information System.

People used it on everything in the gardens. I knew a man who used it in his garden way after it was banned. He bought a big supply of it and kept using it. I told him that was a bad idea. He said, "I've been using it all this time and it hasn't hurt me." He gave me a bushel of peas. I could smell the toxaphene in them while they were cooking. I poured them out. He and both of his daughters died from cancer.

Just imagine all those chemicals running off into ponds, rivers, and family water wells. Now that I think about that, my dad and my brother died of cancer and I had cancer. I worked in the petrochemical industry for nearly 30 years so it's surprising that I don't glow in the dark.

 

[John Brunner]

One thing we have now is more global food sources. I recall eating things when they were "in season." There's not much left on that list these days unless you prefer locally grown corn, tomatoes, etc. I was in Walmart today and they have cantaloupes on display. Of course, who knows how much nutrition they have after making the journey.

I always used to buy fresh produce, but more and more I lean towards canned and frozen because of the short field-to-processor time.

 

[Krystal Shay]

One thing we have now is more global food sources. I recall eating things when they were "in season." There's not much left on that list these days unless you prefer locally grown corn, tomatoes, etc. I was in Walmart today and they have cantaloupes on display. Of course, who knows how much nutrition they have after making the journey.

I always used to buy fresh produce, but more and more I lean towards canned and frozen because of the short field-to-processor time.

I buy more frozen vegetables now too. I think the nutrition is better in frozen. The "fresh" produce has looked horrible in the store of late. I use to buy fresh green beans but those look nasty anymore. They have brown spots on them and are soft and dried out. How could they even get away selling produce that looks like that is a mystery. The canned vegetables seem to be over processed.

 

[Marie Miller]

The only cans I use are corn, black beans and tomatoe. The best source for fresh produce here are Latino markets.

 

[John Brunner]

The only cans I use are corn, black beans and tomatoe. The best source for fresh produce here are Latino markets.

I agree with shopping ethnic markets. When I lived outside of DC there were tons of Asian and Latino markets. I'd always leave there wondering how they could sell such high quality at such low prices. Where I live now those are few and far between...even when I hit the burbs of the state capital.

 

[Mary Stetler]

I often wonder about what diets really used to be like. People were limited to what was available not only in their region, but within a pretty short traveling (walking?) radius. We try to have "balanced" meals, while they were stuck with what was immediately available during a given time of year. (Of course, they burned calories to obtain calories, but that's a side issue.) I think we have traded Nutritious for Mass Availability & Long Shelf Life.

Regarding life spans...I read that while the average life span may have been 40, it was a high degree of infant mortality and childhood diseases that drug the number down. Once someone survived to young adulthood, they had a good chance of living as long as we do.

Foods were not the only thing to consider from back in the good ole days. Romans and others made drinking vessels of lead. I have a lovely antique salt and pepper set with lead tops (for show). My mom had many aluminum pots etc. Even cast iron, that I love, can put too much iron in our foods with negative consequences.

 

[Ken Anderson]

So much of the "fresh" fruits and vegetables that I buy in the produce department, particularly at Walmart, are nearly tasteless. While I do find tasty produce from time to time, it seems to be hit or miss.

 

[John Brunner]

So much of the "fresh" fruits and vegetables that I buy in the produce department, particularly at Walmart, are nearly tasteless. While I do find tasty produce from time to time, it seems to be hit or miss.

A friend here owns a greenhouse and gets fresh regional produce when it's in season. For some reason, the weather was perfect for cantaloupes last year. They were HUGE and the best tasting I've ever had. I ate 2 all by myself, along with the obligatory vanilla ice cream.

Other than that, I have a hard time finding decent produce around here, even driving to the large chain stores in Charlottesville (25 mile drive) or the burbs of Richmond (35 mile drive.) I have a salad every night, and finding something as common as a decent head of romaine can be a struggle. There's very little produce I'll buy at Walmart...maybe the root veggies and bagged slaw mix.

 

[Marie Miller]

How most Oklahomans survive the grocery desert here is fascinating. Checking out buggies at the store or pantries/refrigerators of friends it seems to be mostly junk or hysterically healthy. Where is the middle? Farmers markets mostly sell commercial produce or home gardener.

We have eight 4x8 raised beds and 6 pots which used to hold trees. A couple of pots with herbs that I can drag around. Last year an abundance of potted tomatoes, onions, peppers from shishito to Nardello. Armenian cucumbers, celery parsley and radishes took off. Spinach is still growing. It was enough for us, three neighbors who cook and some of SO’s coworkers. There is still enough in the freezer/pantry to keep all of us in hot salsas, spinach, basil pesto and hot bananas for chili until harvest time.

I think seeding Cosmos as companion plants to offer some protection and attract pollinators was part of it. One neighbor has a vegetable garden set up for this year. Fresh tomatillos

We grow what we know will grow and will get eaten. Forget lettuce! We do not have enough space for fruit trees. Two hardy peaches are in huge pots. They have buds all over them

 

[Yvonne Smith]

I found this online, and it is a comparison of the “vegan meat” products, and dog food. Not much difference ! None of it looks like real food, for a human or a dog. I am feeding our dogs and cats more homemade “people food”, and just supplementing with dry food and water that is always available if they want to snack.
When I am making something with hamburger, I am giving them bites of the raw hamburger meat, too.