Could you eat only REAL food for a month? Sounds easy...

[ladypirate]

Date: 3/3/2010 11:58:01 AM
Author: LitigatorChick

Date: 3/3/2010 11:47:00 AM

Author: elledizzy5

Date: 3/3/2010 11:41:45 AM

Author: LitigatorChick

Date: 3/3/2010 1:32:59 AM

Author: annadragon

Date: 3/2/2010 4:53:24 PM

Author: LitigatorChick

I am constantly astonished at the junk people put in their bodies. I thought I ate healthy, but as soon as you get the real information and make it a priority, you make dramatic changes.


Eat clean for a couple months, then try a big greasy pizza or steak - you will be sick, guaranteed. Your body is no longer being subjected to abuse and won''t take it anymore.

Ok for the life of me I can''t figure out how to highlight right now. I wanted to point out in your statement that steak is a real food. There is substantial evidence to point out our evolutionary ancestors ate a all forms of steak and meat.


I would mention this caveat that there is a huge difference between a pastured, grass-fed or naturally fed animal, humanely slaughtered (yes, I know some ppl won''t agree this can be humane) is very nutrient dense.


Here''s where I shill for Joel Salatin who runs Polyface Farms. He''s written some books on the subject of farming and providing nutrient dense, real food to his customers. One is titled ''Everything I want to do is Illegal''

Also, the movie Food, Inc which features Joel Salatin has some great points about our food industry, not all of which I agree with in terms of what direction they want to steer it but as Kenny mentioned its too political to discuss on PS.

I agree that the article called beef ''real food'' - I don''t consider it to be. While our ancestors did chow down on animal products, they didn''t live very long!!! I don''t really want to aspire to the life of ancient man! Also, there is a lot of information indicating that our bodies were designed to process vegtables and not meat - it takes 72 hours to digest meat while it goes nasty and rancid in our toasty warm bodies!!

... meat is why our ancient ancestors died?

I was simply responding the point that ''our ancestors at all forms of steak and meat''. The quick point is that I don''t really want to aspire to the life of a caveman - as I understand, life was short and unpleasant! I would rather emulate a more healthy lifestyle! The real point was the second one in my post, which takes far too long to go into - but that our bodies are designed for veggies and our ancestors were primarily vegetarians (though opportunistic carnivores).

On the other hand, steak is delicious.

 

[Octavia]

Date: 3/3/2010 12:03:34 PM
Author: ladypirate
Yeah, to some extent I just don''t see why milling your own flour is fine but paying someone else to mill it isn''t? We are lucky to have a local mill that makes excellent flours, grains, etc. and it''s all organic and unbleached, etc. I think it''s ridiculous to say that taking the time to do it yourself makes it more real.


Same with bread and cheese. Obviously white bread and American cheese are bad for you, but buying artisan local bread and cheese is not.


Granted, we are lucky to live in a part of the country that has these luxuries available, but still.

This, exactly. I also agree with ksinger, Haven, and Lauren. My DH and I try hard to eat healthy food, but I don''t equate "processed" with "bad" in all circumstances. A short and understandable ingredient list and buying from reputable sources are the most important things, IMO.

I do bake our bread 99% of the time, since I really enjoy doing it, but there''s no way I''m going to grind flour. I''ll stick with my King Arthur Organic Unbleached flour (I particularly like the company because it''s employee-owned; Bob''s Red Mill is now, too, and I do like some of their specialty flours). My friend and I plan to grow and can tomatoes this coming season, but mostly because we enjoy gardening and want to learn how to do it -- I will keep buying packaged tomatoes when I need them, though not canned because of BPA. I make yogurt most of the time, but I have no shame in buying REAL yogurt from the store (consisting of just milk and yogurt cultures, not all kinds of nasty additives). Our farmers'' market shuts down during the winter so I have to shop at grocery/produce stores, but I''m REALLY looking forward to April when I can buy fresh, local produce again! And I''m a member of a buying club at a farm near us, which is where we get most of our meat, which is from pastured and grass-fed animals. I''m sure there''s plenty more I could do toward eating healthier foods, but I really don''t see the benefits in going overboard with it.

 

[ladypirate]

Date: 3/3/2010 1:43:52 PM
Author: Octavia

Date: 3/3/2010 12:03:34 PM

Author: ladypirate

Yeah, to some extent I just don''t see why milling your own flour is fine but paying someone else to mill it isn''t? We are lucky to have a local mill that makes excellent flours, grains, etc. and it''s all organic and unbleached, etc. I think it''s ridiculous to say that taking the time to do it yourself makes it more real.



Same with bread and cheese. Obviously white bread and American cheese are bad for you, but buying artisan local bread and cheese is not.



Granted, we are lucky to live in a part of the country that has these luxuries available, but still.

This, exactly. I also agree with ksinger, Haven, and Lauren. My DH and I try hard to eat healthy food, but I don''t equate ''processed'' with ''bad'' in all circumstances. A short and understandable ingredient list and buying from reputable sources are the most important things, IMO.


I do bake our bread 99% of the time, since I really enjoy doing it, but there''s no way I''m going to grind flour. I''ll stick with my King Arthur Organic Unbleached flour (I particularly like the company because it''s employee-owned; Bob''s Red Mill is now, too, and I do like some of their specialty flours). My friend and I plan to grow and can tomatoes this coming season, but mostly because we enjoy gardening and want to learn how to do it -- I will keep buying packaged tomatoes when I need them, though not canned because of BPA. I make yogurt most of the time, but I have no shame in buying REAL yogurt from the store (consisting of just milk and yogurt cultures, not all kinds of nasty additives). Our farmers'' market shuts down during the winter so I have to shop at grocery/produce stores, but I''m REALLY looking forward to April when I can buy fresh, local produce again! And I''m a member of a buying club at a farm near us, which is where we get most of our meat, which is from pastured and grass-fed animals. I''m sure there''s plenty more I could do toward eating healthier foods, but I really don''t see the benefits in going overboard with it.

Bob''s Red Mill is the one that is local to us and our food-buying group gets wholesale prices from them, which is AWESOME. (They also have awesome breakfasts at the mill on weekends.)

 

[Lauren8211]

Date: 3/3/2010 1:43:01 PM
Author: ladypirate

Date: 3/3/2010 11:58:01 AM
Author: LitigatorChick

Date: 3/3/2010 11:47:00 AM

Author: elledizzy5

Date: 3/3/2010 11:41:45 AM

Author: LitigatorChick

Date: 3/3/2010 1:32:59 AM

Author: annadragon

Date: 3/2/2010 4:53:24 PM

Author: LitigatorChick

I am constantly astonished at the junk people put in their bodies. I thought I ate healthy, but as soon as you get the real information and make it a priority, you make dramatic changes.


Eat clean for a couple months, then try a big greasy pizza or steak - you will be sick, guaranteed. Your body is no longer being subjected to abuse and won''t take it anymore.

Ok for the life of me I can''t figure out how to highlight right now. I wanted to point out in your statement that steak is a real food. There is substantial evidence to point out our evolutionary ancestors ate a all forms of steak and meat.


I would mention this caveat that there is a huge difference between a pastured, grass-fed or naturally fed animal, humanely slaughtered (yes, I know some ppl won''t agree this can be humane) is very nutrient dense.


Here''s where I shill for Joel Salatin who runs Polyface Farms. He''s written some books on the subject of farming and providing nutrient dense, real food to his customers. One is titled ''Everything I want to do is Illegal''

Also, the movie Food, Inc which features Joel Salatin has some great points about our food industry, not all of which I agree with in terms of what direction they want to steer it but as Kenny mentioned its too political to discuss on PS.

I agree that the article called beef ''real food'' - I don''t consider it to be. While our ancestors did chow down on animal products, they didn''t live very long!!! I don''t really want to aspire to the life of ancient man! Also, there is a lot of information indicating that our bodies were designed to process vegtables and not meat - it takes 72 hours to digest meat while it goes nasty and rancid in our toasty warm bodies!!

... meat is why our ancient ancestors died?

I was simply responding the point that ''our ancestors at all forms of steak and meat''. The quick point is that I don''t really want to aspire to the life of a caveman - as I understand, life was short and unpleasant! I would rather emulate a more healthy lifestyle! The real point was the second one in my post, which takes far too long to go into - but that our bodies are designed for veggies and our ancestors were primarily vegetarians (though opportunistic carnivores).

On the other hand, steak is delicious.

LOL.

 

[Haven]

Date: 3/3/2010 1:43:01 PM
Author: ladypirate
On the other hand, steak is delicious.

Indeed.

I was raised vegetarian and I will never forget my first bite of a Morton''s Cajun ribeye.
I knew then what people meant when they said "this tastes like heaven."
For some reason, I never got that feeling from tofu or sprouts or fake sausages made out of soy growing up. (Not that there''s anything wrong with being vegetarian. I just felt I had missed out for the first 19 years of my life.)

Steak . . . Mmmmmm.

 

[gemgirl]

Date: 3/3/2010 11:18:52 AM
Author: lilyfoot
Does anyone who eats ''real'' food/healthy/whatever, have a BF/FI/DH that doesn''t? My FI would never go for this type of stuff. He''s a very skinny guy, but he loooves processed and junk foods. The produce section is not one we''re very familiar with, least of all him

But, he doesn''t know how to cook, I do all of the cooking. And I just don''t see how this would work out with one person doing the cooking ..

My husband and I eat two completely different meals for every meal. It just means buying a lot more at the grocery store.

Tonight for dinner, I''m having roasted turkey, steamed broccoli, baby peas with baby carrots, and a small sweet potato. My hubby is having ravioli with the meat sauce I made last night while he was out, meatballs, a big salad and fresh Italian bread.

I''m eating a big salad now because I''m hungry, but he snacks on Cheetos, string cheese and cashews (his fave) when he gets home before dinner. The man can eat!

 

[IloveAsschers13]

I think it''s a good concept to eat healthier and I am... skim milk, lean meats (chicken AND steak), veggies, fruits, and every once in a while treats. I think some people just need to realize that JUST because you eat a certain way does''t mean everyone else is eating unhealthy. I choose what goes into my body and you don''t. It''s that simple.

That being said, food controls my life. Literally. I am always thinking about my next meal and I can HONESTLY say that one of my favorite things, in my whole life, is biting into a nice, juicy sausage with onions and goat cheese. Or any other amazing meal for example. I would never take away that joy in my life

 

[zoebartlett]

Date: 3/2/2010 4:18:59 PM
Author: Po10472
Hey Kenny


This is something I started doing 4 years ago, inspired by a trainer/nutritionist here in Britain called Dax Moy. He developed the elimination plan which essentially strips all processed foods, dairy products and sugars from your diet for 30 days and then you start to reintroduce them into your diet and you are able to see which foods your body doesn''t need or like. It has taken me a few years to change my lifestyle but I now no longer eat chocolate, sweeties (candies), cakes, pasta, drink alcohol (apart from the odd glass of champagne for a celebration) or eat processed foods. I never eat microwave meals or packet food and will try and eat fairtrade and organic foods as often as I can. I drink tea only and no coffee and limit my tea to 1 or 2 cups a day and often have none for 3/4 days at a time. I don''t drink soda''s but will occasionally have a diet 7up if I''m out for a night.


It sounds strict but I feel amazing. I only eat lean chicken. turkey and fish, no red meat or offal and no sausages/burgers etc. My body can no longer tolerate rich foods and can''t process ''hard'' food. I''ve lost 35lbs so far and although I have a way to go, know for the first time in my life that what I''m doing is really beneficial to my health.


If you do try this real food challenge, you''ll be suprised after the 4 weeks what foods your body will reject and how much better you''ll feel............well that''s after the initial week where you''ll have screaming headaches and feel like you''ve been run over by a train, but this is normal, this is your body coming down from the years of sugar/caffeine and e-additive fix you''ve been on.

Wow Po, good for you! I honestly don''t know how you do it -- it sounds just about impossible to me. I only eat lean chicken, fish, turkey, red meat (93% ground beef), and I don''t have microwaveable meals often (I just don''t like them, never mind how unhealthy they are). I don''t know that I could let go of other things though. I KNOW I make a lot of healthy choices, but I also KNOW I make unhealthy ones too (and I need to get back to the gym).

What I need is someone to go shopping with me. It''s very overwhelming.

So in answer to the question, no, I don''t think I could eat only real food for a month. Sadly.

 

[zoebartlett]

Date: 3/3/2010 12:12:26 AM
Author: swedish bean
I tried something similar- though I allowed myself a bread type product once a day, with limited dairy. I lost weight like MAD... 4-5lbs a week. Then I stopped. Gained it back.


I''ve been thinking about doing this again. At first I CRAVED chips, cheese.. CHOCOLATE... but then within a few weeks I only wanted a juicy hamburger, veggies and fruit. Hold the extra crap. I want to get back to craving fresh fruit and veggies instead of chocolate.


I really like pasta though

That''s my vice. And chocolate. And ice cream.

Kind of a threadjack here (sorry Kenny):

Those are my vices too, SB. How did you get over the cravings you had? I ask because about 1.5 years ago, I was doing really well with my diet and exercise, and I lost almost 25 lbs. In all that time though, I never ONCE stopped craving unhealthy things. I''m always in awe of how some people lose their cravings for certain things (as in a whiney, "why can''t that be me?!" sort of way!). Anyway, after a few months of doing great, my husband lost his job, and that stress caused me to fall off the wagon big time. I wasn''t counting, measuring, or really caring (if I''m being completely honest) anymore. I just stopped. I''d LOVE to get back to that PLACE, that mentality, but I''m not there yet. It''s the cravings that''s stopping me.

 

[jewelz617]

I honestly think the key to dieting is everything in moderation. Try to eat healthy foods the majority of the time. Give into a craving once in awhile. If you want something fattening, eat a 3rd of the portion you normally would. When going out to eat, only eat half of what is on your plate and take the rest with you for later. Try to exercise daily.

All about moderation. And then, no crazy cravings. Crazy cravings are the reason I never lasted on a diet.

 

[Arcadian]

Eating clean is very hard, most people in developed countries would have a hard time knowing where to start. I do it 10 weeks a year. Once I get to week 2, I''m ok though tired. week 4 I''m cruising, week 8 I''m sick of food but I look freaking fantastic. week 10 I just want to have freaking SALT for crying out loud.


Combine this style of eating with a good exercise plan and you can bring your bodyfat down significantly (I never did it for weight, I don''t care about how much I weigh)


When I eat clean, I mean I eat REALLY clean. Nothing processed, no salt, no sugar, no booze.


-A

 

[ksinger]

Date: 3/3/2010 11:58:01 AM
Author: LitigatorChick

Date: 3/3/2010 11:47:00 AM
Author: elledizzy5

Date: 3/3/2010 11:41:45 AM
Author: LitigatorChick

Date: 3/3/2010 1:32:59 AM
Author: annadragon

Date: 3/2/2010 4:53:24 PM
Author: LitigatorChick
I am constantly astonished at the junk people put in their bodies. I thought I ate healthy, but as soon as you get the real information and make it a priority, you make dramatic changes.

Eat clean for a couple months, then try a big greasy pizza or steak - you will be sick, guaranteed. Your body is no longer being subjected to abuse and won''t take it anymore.

Ok for the life of me I can''t figure out how to highlight right now. I wanted to point out in your statement that steak is a real food. There is substantial evidence to point out our evolutionary ancestors ate a all forms of steak and meat.

I would mention this caveat that there is a huge difference between a pastured, grass-fed or naturally fed animal, humanely slaughtered (yes, I know some ppl won''t agree this can be humane) is very nutrient dense.

Here''s where I shill for Joel Salatin who runs Polyface Farms. He''s written some books on the subject of farming and providing nutrient dense, real food to his customers. One is titled ''Everything I want to do is Illegal''

Also, the movie Food, Inc which features Joel Salatin has some great points about our food industry, not all of which I agree with in terms of what direction they want to steer it but as Kenny mentioned its too political to discuss on PS.

I agree that the article called beef ''real food'' - I don''t consider it to be. While our ancestors did chow down on animal products, they didn''t live very long!!! I don''t really want to aspire to the life of ancient man! Also, there is a lot of information indicating that our bodies were designed to process vegtables and not meat - it takes 72 hours to digest meat while it goes nasty and rancid in our toasty warm bodies!!

... meat is why our ancient ancestors died?

I was simply responding the point that ''our ancestors at all forms of steak and meat''. The quick point is that I don''t really want to aspire to the life of a caveman - as I understand, life was short and unpleasant! I would rather emulate a more healthy lifestyle! The real point was the second one in my post, which takes far too long to go into - but that our bodies are designed for veggies and our ancestors were primarily vegetarians (though opportunistic carnivores).

Interesting thread...

Leaving off the issue of whether we''re "designed" for anything at all except survival, all I will say is veggies ain''t it. Humans are omnivores, period. They ate what was available where they were. If it was grasslands, they ate plants, if it was the coasts they ate fish, etc. It''s one of the key reasons for our survival: we''ll eat anything that doesn''t eat us first. And If our ancestors had lives that were nasty, brutish, and short, I don''t think we can pin that on diet. And I never can get it straight, some people point to our ancestors as benighted, while another contingent points to those halcyon days of yore when some cultures (usually identified as indigenous in a time far far away) lived healthy lives in harmony with nature. (Michael Schirmer calls this "the beautiful people myth", and it is.) Our ancestors died primarily from disease - NOT related to their diets, or at least not from the food itself, but from food borne parasitical illness, and mischance, ie - dinner killing YOU, before you killed IT. There is evidence that when we moved to settled agriculture, that we became less healthy overall. I just really have a hard time pointing to the past as an indicator of what we should do now. We KNOW so much more than past ages ever did - (meaning, if they did get it "right" it was probably a fluke and not from some cosmic communion with Mother Nature), and have more choices. We do so often tend to apply puritan type attitudes towards...everything. My diet is not, or should not, be a penance to be endured for the eventual longevity it may provide. Like others here, I''m going to find a balance. And one day, regardless of what I do, I will die. And there won''t be any prize anywhere in this life or the next, for all the things I puritanically denied myself.
No one can convince me that an all raw-food or macrobiotic diet or whatever is better for anything but pure health (certainly not pleasure, as Haven alluded to when she said soy sausage substitute doesn''t cut it), and maybe not even that, since most Americans at least, are not known for balance - we either eat too much, or all the wrong things, or go overboard on strict vegetarian regimens, which if not done well, can also lead to malnutrition problems. There is a reason that sweet is the most developed sense of taste we have, and that we all love the mouthfeel of fats, or crave meat (Right, Haven et al?): sugars and fats and animal protiens are dense caloric sources and were greatly desired when found. Those who could store those calories well, and burn them slowly had a distinct survival advantage in a world of uncertain food. Of course, those survival adaptations are a detriment in a world such as ours. By trying to deny the facts that we are wired to desire these things, we need to admit that it is an uphill battle at least.

I''m not arguing that we should do anything we want all the time, but I am saying that food IS part of a larger cultural context, and most of us have to find balance within that. There''s a reason most heart patients are unable to stick to Dean Ornish''s (heart doc) diet. It''s too bloody hard. It isolates you when you cannot join ANY of the social rituals that involve the foods of our culture. People FEEL like you''re moralizing or silently commenting negatively on THEIR choices, even when you may not be. And it''s no fun to watch someone eating that cookie or steak or whatever, that you cannot.

 

[partgypsy]

It''s funny, when I was a kid I was a picky eater. Not for vegetables (always loved them strangely enough) but for meat, not liking anything with extra bits of fat or gristle, etc, also alot of prepared foods, fast foods. And I have gone through phases, such as for 4 years not eating any refined sugar (maple syrup and honey included) which meant making most of my own food, and also brief stretches of vegetarianism and veganism. The funny thing I learned, is that it is better for my health and psychological well being for me to be LESS picky about what I ate. I was a snob and didn''t want to eat non whole grain foods, dishes made from 3 cans stuff mixed together, etc, but to refuse those things also cut me out of alot of community. Plus my husband who is the primary cook in the house was raised with that kind of cooking. And at that point some plant, creature gave its life to be on the table so for me to refuse seems - ungrateful. Secondly, the more strict your diet not only are you cutting yourself out of the social benefits of meals, the diet is likely to have less variety and in general the more variety in the diet the healthier it is. Yes don''t abuse your body and make choices that are closer to one''s ideals. But for me it is more important (and improves my digestion

) to have gratitude and acceptance for whatever food is offered.

 

[katamari]

This thread makes me think of this NPR story. DH and I do what we can to eat ethically, but we don''t always necessarily keep it real. I can say, though, we both feel like we have been poisoned when we eat at McD''s, so we must be doing something right.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Date: 3/4/2010 7:09:51 AM
Author: ksinger
Interesting thread...

Leaving off the issue of whether we''re ''designed'' for anything at all except survival, all I will say is veggies ain''t it. Humans are omnivores, period. They ate what was available where they were. If it was grasslands, they ate plants, if it was the coasts they ate fish, etc. It''s one of the key reasons for our survival: we''ll eat anything that doesn''t eat us first. And If our ancestors had lives that were nasty, brutish, and short, I don''t think we can pin that on diet. And I never can get it straight, some people point to our ancestors as benighted, while another contingent points to those halcyon days of yore when some cultures (usually identified as indigenous in a time far far away) lived healthy lives in harmony with nature. (Michael Schirmer calls this ''the beautiful people myth'', and it is.) Our ancestors died primarily from disease - NOT related to their diets, or at least not from the food itself, but from food borne parasitical illness, and mischance, ie - dinner killing YOU, before you killed IT. There is evidence that when we moved to settled agriculture, that we became less healthy overall. I just really have a hard time pointing to the past as an indicator of what we should do now. We KNOW so much more than past ages ever did - (meaning, if they did get it ''right'' it was probably a fluke and not from some cosmic communion with Mother Nature), and have more choices. We do so often tend to apply puritan type attitudes towards...everything. My diet is not, or should not, be a penance to be endured for the eventual longevity it may provide. Like others here, I''m going to find a balance. And one day, regardless of what I do, I will die. And there won''t be any prize anywhere in this life or the next, for all the things I puritanically denied myself.

No one can convince me that an all raw-food or macrobiotic diet or whatever is better for anything but pure health (certainly not pleasure, as Haven alluded to when she said soy sausage substitute doesn''t cut it), and maybe not even that, since most Americans at least, are not known for balance - we either eat too much, or all the wrong things, or go overboard on strict vegetarian regimens, which if not done well, can also lead to malnutrition problems. There is a reason that sweet is the most developed sense of taste we have, and that we all love the mouthfeel of fats, or crave meat (Right, Haven et al?): sugars and fats and animal protiens are dense caloric sources and were greatly desired when found. Those who could store those calories well, and burn them slowly had a distinct survival advantage in a world of uncertain food. Of course, those survival adaptations are a detriment in a world such as ours. By trying to deny the facts that we are wired to desire these things, we need to admit that it is an uphill battle at least.

I''m not arguing that we should do anything we want all the time, but I am saying that food IS part of a larger cultural context, and most of us have to find balance within that. There''s a reason most heart patients are unable to stick to Dean Ornish''s (heart doc) diet. It''s too bloody hard. It isolates you when you cannot join ANY of the social rituals that involve the foods of our culture. People FEEL like you''re moralizing or silently commenting negatively on THEIR choices, even when you may not be. And it''s no fun to watch someone eating that cookie or steak or whatever, that you cannot.

ksinger - can I just say how impressed I am with your eloquence on this subject. Wow. Well said, both here and in your previous post.

I have to agree with you, Haven, Lauren and others who have said that the key here seems to be about finding some sort of balance - between eating foods that have nutritional value, won''t make us fat and/or lead to health problems, but still allow us to participate in the multidinous social rituals that revolve around food, as well as deriving some sort of pleasure.

I myself have struggled with many of the questions raised here, and I tend to fall somewhere between the "real food" and the "foodie" camp. I am a vegetarian, and have been since the age of 5 (personal choice), but not because I think its necessarily healthier, simply because I have never had any desire whatsoever to consume meat. I think if a steak ever appealed to me, I would give it a shot, but as it hasn''t thus far (almost 28 years old), it seems unlikely.

I feel best when I emphasize fruits, vegetables, legumes, low fat dairy, soy protein, and whole grains and their products (whole wheat pasta, whole wheat bread) in my diet, balanced with occasional treats to satisfy cravings and celebrate special occasions. My challenge recently has been to maintain this balance given a dramatic shift in lifestyle - about 6 months ago I started a job that has me traveling basically every week, 3-4 nights/week. I can honestly say that this has been a HUGE challenge to my normal dietary habits, what with time changes, limited availability of healthy and/or high quality options, and the incredibly long hours I sometimes have to work. I know that I could never do this or any other "real food" challenge, because my life just doesn''t work like that. I admire people who can make this sort of commitment, but to me it just doesn''t seem compatible with real life.

 

[annadragon]

Date: 3/3/2010 11:41:45 AM
Author: LitigatorChick

Date: 3/3/2010 1:32:59 AM

I agree that the article called beef ''real food'' - I don''t consider it to be. While our ancestors did chow down on animal products, they didn''t live very long!!! I don''t really want to aspire to the life of ancient man! Also, there is a lot of information indicating that our bodies were designed to process vegtables and not meat - it takes 72 hours to digest meat while it goes nasty and rancid in our toasty warm bodies!!

Our Paleolithic ancestors did have short life-spans but I don''t find any evidence that their diet staples (heavily meat based) were culpable in this case. They had hard lives. Catching prey, being prey, infectious disease and no antibiotics, traumatic injury or disability pretty much ensured an early death. Though research has shown that our Paleolithic period ancestors had on average a 30 year life expectancy, while our Neolithic ancestors who were more dependent on agriculture had a considerably decreased life expectancy of 18 years.

The claim that we are designed to eat a mainly herbivorous diet is not conclusive and not settled science. Indigenous tribes and people that have not been exposed to "processed" foods like the Inuit eat a highly carnivorous diet without deleterious effects. And before someone claims they might be genetically tolerable in those conditions, researchers have gone to live with and like the Inuit and were able to survive and thrive on their high fat/high protein diets (can''t grow veggies on the tundra).

As for your caveman comment it made me grin

cause there is an entire segment of the population who seek to mimic their Paleo ancestors dietary habits and even their exercises. Dr. Loren Cordain is probably one of the most notable researchers into this area comparing caveman diets with modern day diets. And if you google Primal, paleo, evolutionary fitness you''ll find a whole host of lay people, scientists, clinicians and supporters of this lifestyle. It ain''t for everyone but I think it merits a look-see.

And heck yes, I loves me some moo-cow...just make sure it doesn''t moo at me from the plate

 

[bebe]

didn''t read through the entire thread - just responding to the original question

I''m trying very hard to eat right. We eat nothing out of a box, nothing over processed, no meat, fish my husband has caught in Alaska,
tons of clean, organic veggies, clean fruit, cut out sugar when I read there might be some connection to cancer growth, don''t use sweetners,
eat steel cut oats with fruit and almond milk (need to chk that out further), I make smoothies from acai concentrate, fresh spinach, fruits and almond milk or pure fruit juice,

America has such an abundance of food, but it that very abundance that is killing us. Our diets are killing us.
Has anyone read the book "The China Study" ?????

I just had a cancerous tumor removed from my scalp. No answers on why or what caused it. Scared to death.
You can bet I''m researching everything.

 

[ksinger]

I know that this thread has been quiet and gone for a few days, but I just read this and had to link it here - a week late for the discussion. There''s that "Beautiful People Myth" alluded to, "returning" to some simpler, more pure, era and eating "cleaner" food, the Puritan mindset of asceticism and eating "virtuously, it''s all here. Always strikes me as a bit freaky when I find articles - seemingly so randomly - that are exactly about a topic recently discussed.

Article here - The Persistence of the Primitive Food Movement. Excerpt below. Pretty much says it all...

"the persistence of the primitive is hard to overlook. Faced with the inevitable—and often threatening—complexity of historical change, Americans have always reacted by idealizing a mythical golden age, a time when life was understood to be simpler, people less greedy, and values more virtuous. So it has been with food.