Recent reports about the dangers of sugar and meat are enough to make people give up trying to eat healthily.
It's right that the media cover these reports.
But if one were a conspiracy theorist, one might speculate that some reports are there to create confusion, to encourage people to carry on exactly as they are.
Others food scares seem to part of a marketing effort promoting interest in expensive alternatives.
As for meat, the theory goes like this: the capitalist conspiracy is built on meat consumption and damaging the meat industry will help turn us into a vegetarian Utopia.
67goingon50 believes we do consume too much sugar, and it's important to reduce sugar intake. High obesity levels and damage to kids' teeth are frightening.
Regarding meat, though, nul points to the World Health Organisation (WHO) report. Ham and sausages as dangerous as arsenic and asbestos? Out of 22 WHO panel members, seven either disagreed with the report or abstained.
67goingon50 offers off-the-cuff responses to the sugar and meat scares. Some of this material appeared in Principles of Healthy Eating and Discipline not Deprivation. (Scroll Up to How to on the Nav Bar). Links to two must-read articles on the WHO report are provided at the end of the post.
SUGAR
- It's not sugar that's the problem, it's the amount we consume. Cut back on processed foods and sugary drinks and health will improve.
 |
| Reduced Sugar Blueberry, Almond & Maple Cakes - Normal and Pint-sized |
- Portion control is the key. Serve 18 or 24 smaller cupcakes or cookies instead of 12 normal size ones.
- Be disciplined Monday to Friday with no sweets except dessert fruit (baked, poached or raw), then relax on weekends.
- White sugar and white carbs are not good for you. They are absorbed very quickly into the body, causing spikes in insulin which can contribute to diabetes. Slow down the absorption process by teaming sugar and carbs with fibre (eg wholemeal flours or unprocessed fruit & veg) or protein.
- Reducing sugar intake won't be easy; it has to be done gradually but with commitment. (That's why 67 gives minimum and maximum levels of sugar in baking recipes and also includes options for wholemeal flours.)
- Just as you are not going to be able to turn on a sixpence to reduce sugar intake, so too with food producers. We've only recently been concerned enough about sugar to demand changes. 67 is in favour of cutting levels of hidden sugar but would not like a life without Kelloggs Cornflakes or Lindt Chocolate Truffles.
- Start now to make meals from scratch. (See the Easy-Peasy section of 67's Recipes Page, above on Navigation Bar). Learn to read lists of ingredients on tinned or frozen food; if sugar appears in the first three ingredients, beware.
- Natural sugars in fruit and veg are different from processed sugar; they have a different chemical structure. Golden rule: fresh fruit good, juice (unless incorporating fibre, or bits) not so good. Fizzy drinks, beware.
- When 67 wants a flavoured drink, it's Ginger Tea in fizzy water or the juice of an orange, lemon or lime in chilled water. Jamie Oliver has produced some sugar-free fruit flavoured drinks which are reproduced at the end of this post. (Scroll down)
MEAT
- Meat is the only foodstuff that contains all the amino acids the body needs and most essential vitamins and minerals (but you can combine vegetarian foods to get the same amino acid mix).
 |
| Preparing Beef, Broccoli & Mushrooms |
- According to nutrition author Zoe Harcombe, many of the people who took part in the disputed WHO research were asked to remember what they'd eaten 20 years ago. (Blogger's emphasis) Those who ate processed meat were more likely to smoke and have diabetes -- not exactly a healthy lifestyle.
- Generally, it is a good idea to reduce meat consumption and have more vegetarian meals. 67 recommends this weekly eating plan: two fish meals, one poultry, one meat (beef, lamb, game) and the rest vegetarian.
- A 20 year project in China, run jointly by Chinese, American and British scientists, concluded that eating lots of animal-based foods was more likely to lead to higher death rates from 'Western' diseases. The opposite was true for those eating more plant foods. The study is considered one of the best research studies ever.
- The UK has the highest food standards in the world. Most home-grown supermarket meats are trustworthy but it's worth making friends with a good butcher (sometimes IN the supermarket)
- Be careful of 'value' processed meats, which can be stuffed with additives. Good quality bacon and sausages are ok in moderation.
Tip: 67 will soon be posting Cook Clever: Easy-Peasy freezer-friendly recipes using slow-cookers to help home cooks produce great food with minimum effort and cost.
Two to read:
The Independent: How Dangerous is a Bacon Sandwich?
Flavoured waters From Jaime Oliver
Everyday Super Food (Michael Joseph £18.20)
The Dish, The Times, 1 Nov 2105
The following combinations are steeped in a jug of water and ice, and refrigerated for at least three hours.
Cucumber, Apple & Mint Water
Add one finely sliced apple; strips of cucumber and a few fresh mint leaves.
Strawberry
Add half a dozen sliced strawberries
St Clements
Add Sliced oranges and lemons
Watermelon & Basil
Add a peeled, chopped wedge of watermelon, bashing the fruit to release flavours. Add a squeeze of lime.
Scroll down for more recipes .
(Questions & comments, pls email b67goingon50@yahoo.co.uk
and say if they can be included in the blog)
B Lee/Bright Sun Enterprises accept no liability for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. The conclusions may not be reproduced without the author's permission.
No comments:
Post a Comment