Comments on: Processed Food and Nutrition

By: Healthy ice cream versus conventional ice cream

Healthy ice cream versus conventional ice cream — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:53:58 +0000

[...] and the other, well, in my opinion, went off the rails as far as conforming to the definition of nutrition — that is, something that will nourish your [...]

By: George Vigil

George Vigil — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:35:53 +0000

I'm with you Damon. I think we should go back to the family basics and not rely solely on the large chain markets to determine what we eat as governed by corporate think as to their profit. Life shouldn't revolve around the "bottom line" thinking of the only thing that counts is profit. The individual's health, whom mass producers of food profit from, should weigh more into their think. Yes! One needs to make a profit in order to grow. However, if one were to produce healthy food that nourishes one's body and continues a high quality of food, one will have a great number of customers for a very long time. And those customers will tend toward health and consume one's product over the long haul. Which brings me to the following: I think the small organic or natural food producers need to start somewhere in their advertisement of their products and build out like any other business, if they so chose. And make a profit. We are in the process of finding a home with land. We'll be growing our own garden, free of pesticides or other chemicals, in organic soil. We are going to plant any kind of fruit or nut tree that we desire or like. We're going to freeze the veggies and can the fruit. Naturally! So that we can control what we eat that much better!

By: Damon

Damon — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:58:58 +0000

I think that IS the problem Diane. I personally think it is solely because organic, biodynamic or generally unprocessed food producers have nowhere near the marketing resources of the food processors and massive monocultural operations. Ever see a commercial on TV or a billboard telling you to grow your own food or eat organic? VERY rare if ever. Sad. Simple photos of fruits and vegetables in schools would get kids thinking about them. Instead they are inundated with vending machines or brand name products to build brand loyalty. Very sad. California suffers as a result of pulling sodas and candy from schools. Now they won't get grants from the big corporations for new computers, books or advanced education programs. Very Very sad! It will only end when we turn off the TV and go back to the basics. Love, family, garden and home. The marketers are taking over and we like it WAY too much :( We WILL be donating some time to our local school this year, possibly with a gardening or hydroponics demonstration. I like the saying I found recently… "We cannot NOT change the world!"
Peace all!

By: Diane Vigil

Diane Vigil — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:17:32 +0000

Is it possible that the lack of uptake of organic food by the population at large is due to lack of proper information? For example, I've read articles that claim that organic food is no better than conventional food (they seem to leave out the part about the pesticides).

It's also true that organic food can be more costly than conventional food — but I loved the description I read recently regarding the cost of conventional food being "artificially lower" than organic food.

And that would be because they use "cost-effective" methods of production, like pesticides, etc. Unfortunately, that ruins the food.

By: Amiria Gale

Amiria Gale — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:08:35 +0000

Hi George and Damon,
Thanks for the comments. I will be sure to let you know when my book is done! For now, keep up the good work both of you, posting about such topics. Seems so simple, but the majority of the population seems to have it so wrong! Every bit of information conveyed helps :)

By: Damon

Damon — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:44:18 +0000

At the very least, you wonâ€™t feel as good as you could. – All summed up right there. It's amazing how many people will spend their lives saying they feel "fine" yet may never really know how they are SUPPOSED to feel. We should ask ourselves how good COULD we feel today instead of how good DO we feel today. A small change like that makes all the difference regarding our decisions about what we eat or purchase. Hats off to you too Amiria, your book sounds like one to have. Great day to you all….

By: George Vigil

George Vigil — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:27:19 +0000

Hello Amiria Gale,

I agree whole-heartedly with you. One's body gets lugged down with all those additive chemicals. I would love to see your book.

By: Amiria Gale

Amiria Gale — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:55:11 +0000

I agree. The reason so many people struggle with weight is that the vast majority of what we eat isn't FOOD. It's mixtures of highly refined sugar and flour, stirred together with fat, artificial colourings and flavour enhancers. As a consequence, when we eat such things, we love the taste (and thus tend to eat more), gaining a whopping calorie intake…but not once giving our body what it really is hungry for… which is nutrients / vitamins etc, so it can go about its daily task of renewing / repairing and growing our body…and keeping it safe against disease.
I am in the middle of writing a book about it, but right now I am exploring such ideas in my paintings (these are displayed on my website http://www.amiria.co.nz).
Essentially…if you give your body what it is actually hungry for, there is no more battle. No more willpower required. Maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle becomes easy! :)