![]() |
![]() |
Nutrition Information |
|
||
![]() |
![]() |
The Ugly Truth About Food
At any grocery store in North America right now, there are shoppers cruising the isles, making thoughtful choices about their family's nutrition. Armed with the latest information about health, choosing foods high in nutrition is a primary goal. Unfortunately, no matter how carefully one shops, there is often little nutrition in the foods we consume. In fact, it is nearly impossible to consume adequate nutrients through diet alone in our modern world. What causes our foods to be devoid of nutrition? There are many causes, primarily modern farming, storage, and preservation methods of food. Let's take a look at why this happens. First, it is widely acknowledged that soils in North America have been depleted of many nutrients since the 1930's due to loss of topsoil and reliance on chemical fertilizers. Farmers replace the nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus depleted by agriculture in order to achieve optimum plant growth. However, little attention is paid to replacing trace minerals lost in soils. Consumer demand for attractive produce also plays a role. This demand has resulted in plant breeding for appearance and storage longevity, ignoring nutritional quality. Fruits and vegetables are often picked in the green stage, ripening in transit to the store. Again, this prevents the production of nutrients which often occurs in the ripening stage while on the plant itself. One example of this is seen in fruits, where the cartenoid levels increase as fruit ripens naturally. Produce now travels an average of 1500-2000 miles from farm to market, often in refrigerated trucks. There have been few studies done on the effects of storage on produce, especially in the area of overall phytonutrient levels. However, what we do know is most fresh vegetables steadily loose nutrients when stored in cold, dark conditions. Some types of produce are more vulnerable to these losses than others, losing fifty percent or more of phytonutrients in as little as five days storage. Food preservation methods often play a role in nutrient depletion. When properly blanched prior to freezing, most-but not all-foods retain more nutrition when frozen as compared to canning methods. Interestingly, the container used in canning also makes a difference. Foods preserved in cans often retain more nutrients than those in glass or plastic containers as many nutrients are depleted by exposure to light. Preparation methods further affects nutritional quality of food. Chopping, grinding, and heating foods depletes nutrients. Common preservatives added in processing cause depletion of nutrients and the use of antimicrobial preservatives may decrease the bacteria normally present in the colon, impeding the body's ability to absorb what nutrients are left in food after processing. There has been very little research done comparing nutrients in food before and after processing. The result is that nutritional labels are calculated from unprocessed foods using what are called "nutrient retention factors". However, these formulas do not consider all aspects of nutrient loss and have been shown to be inaccurate in representing nutrient levels in foods after processing. So what can be done to ensure adequate nutrition in our diets? The most sensible approach would be to eat only fresh, organically raised fruits and vegetables picked from the garden just prior to consumption, eaten in the whole, raw state. Of course, this is not possible for the vast majority of people. While eating foods as close to the ideals is a goal, it is no longer realistic to expect diet alone to provide adequate nutrition. Some form of supplementation is necessary. In order to incorporate the proper nutrients, in the optimal amounts in ratio to other nutrients and in the most bioavailable form, great care must be taken in the selection of all supplements. Price is not necessarily an indication of quality. Taking the maximum amount safely possible is not a guarantee of maximum benefit, either. Due diligence is required in the selection process. Know that what you are taking is truly of benefit to your body. Good nutrition is essential for healthy living, but obtaining sufficient nutrition from diet alone is nearly impossible due to modern farming, storage and preparation methods demanded by consumers. Careful use of supplementation is therefore a requirement for health. Karen Walker is a wellness consultant and author. She works from her home in western Montana. She and her husband, Lynn McCormick, maintain a website to help those whose lives have been upset by catastrophic health events. http://www.keephealthkeepwealth.com
Look For
MORE RESOURCES: Economic Impact Of Short-Term Vacation Rentals Presented To Council Big Island Video News Hawaii County likely to delay short-term rental law The Garden Island Newspaper 13 Family-Friendly Rentals for a Snowy Christmas Condé Nast Traveler Seaside Florida Offers Special Winter Promotion on Beachfront Rentals: Here’s What You Need To Know Travel And Tour World You Have to See This Over-The-Top Castle Airbnb in West Virginia Only In Your State City calls on lenders in vacation rental crackdown Hawaii News Now Making it in Big Sky: Tim Drain with Natural Retreats Explore Big Sky Key Data report shows mixed autumn outlook for UK short-term Short Term Rentals - News Vacation Rental Compliance City of Sarasota (.gov) Pemberton council passes new short-term rental rules, adds flexibility for operators renting for less than 90 days Pique Newsmagazine Top 10 U.S. Towns Where Vacation Homes Dominate The Market - Black Enterprise Vrbo Strengthens Marketplace With AI And New Tools Travel And Tour World You Can Stay in a Pixel-Perfect Castle Airbnb in Denton, Nebraska Only In Your State Santa Cruz County supervisors advance new limits on vacation rentals Santa Cruz Local Vacation Rentals: At Your Own Risk Scripps News Maui Vacation Rental Owners Poised To Sue Over Ban Beat of Hawaii Jacksonville to Host Streamline Summit 2025, Paving the Way for Future Vacation Rental Success: All You Need To Know Travel And Tour World Maui condo prices fall sharply in August while single-family homes hold steady, report says Maui Now Maui Condo Market Collapse: What It Means For Travelers Beat of Hawaii Brian Chesky said he thinks Airbnb should be growing a lot faster. Here's what he thinks it will take. Business Insider City of Santa Barbara Chips Away at Illegal Short-Term Vacation Rentals The Santa Barbara Independent Inside The ‘Out-Of-Control’ Debate Over Axing Maui Vacation Rentals Honolulu Civil Beat Vacation rentals could be banned in one of California’s top coastal destinations San Francisco Chronicle The Coastal Commission approves Monterey County’s vacation rental ordinance in a major win. Monterey County Weekly Commission takes initial step to tap brakes on vacation rentals along Monterey coast Local News Matters Maui measure to phase out half of the island's vacation rentals moves forward Hawaii Public Radio Vacation Rental Permits now required in Eastsound & Lopez Village commercial designations theOrcasonian.com Honolulu Sees Doubling Of Vacation Rental Registrations Under New Rules Honolulu Civil Beat Plan To Convert Maui Vacation Rentals To Long-Term Housing Delayed Honolulu Civil Beat Vacation Rental Study in Goleta Tells More About the Neighbors The Santa Barbara Independent Study: Maui Should Phase Out Vacation Rentals With Caution Honolulu Civil Beat Sanctuary Vacation Rentals seemonterey.com Maui panel passes bill curbing vacation rentals to boost housing supply after Lahaina wildfire CBS News How Short-Term Vacation Rentals Impact the Tourism Economy in Greater Palm Springs Palm Springs Life Main St. request on hold, but ‘Kitschy 2 BR House’ gets vacation rental OK Evanston RoundTable Housing Ethnic Cleansing: How Airbnb Legitimizes Occupation CounterPunch.org Committee seeks to halt vacation rental requests Evanston RoundTable Florida vacation rental company files for bankruptcy Gulf Coast News and Weather - Southwest Florida News Vrbo introduces full penalties for hosts who fail to provide access Short Term Rentals - News A novel idea for Maui’s housing crisis: Using vacation rental profits for residents’ down payments Maui Now Honolulu Hasn't Fined Airbnb, Vrbo for Illegal Short-Term Rentals Honolulu Civil Beat 4 hacks to outsmart Airbnb and save on fall rentals Dayton Daily News Maui County Council committee approves bill to phase out thousands of vacation rentals Hawaii News Now Changes coming to Sarasota's vacation rental ordinance Your Observer Key amendments proposed for vacation rental phase-out bill ahead of Council committee hearing Maui Now Largest Hawaii Vacation Rental Company Faces Major Shake Up Beat of Hawaii Vacation Rentals of the Desert Accused of Owing Millions; Riverside DA Launches Investigation After Public Outcry NBC Palm Springs Vacation Rentals of the Desert Accused of Owing Property Owners, Renters Over $1 Million NBC Palm Springs Maui Council hears another 70 testifiers on vacation rental phase-out bill; still more to come Maui Now Couple who owns Manasota Key vacation rentals welcomes first renters since Hurricanes Helene, Milton FOX 13 Tampa Bay Uncertain Economy Contributes to Slow Summer Rental Bookings The Vineyard Gazette Maui Council To Take Up Bill Phasing Out Vacation Rentals This Summer Honolulu Civil Beat Supreme Court: cities cannot limit vacation rentals based on owner occupancy Idaho Public Television Alders flip on vacation rentals Evanston Now Maui vacation rental bill continues to draw passionate testimony from both sides Hawaii Public Radio Maui County Council debates future of vacation rentals Hawaii News Now Top 5 most-read stories last week: Vacation rentals, workforce housing and housing inventory SummitDaily.com Hawaiʻi County Council seeks more oversight with passage of vacation rental bill Hawaii Public Radio Airbnb owners slap influencer with $10K bill over selfie at viral ‘Invisible House’: ‘Complete nightmare’ New York Post The county’s vacation rental ordinance faces one more hurdle for approval. Monterey County Weekly City has no mercy for illegal vacation rental operators Hawaii News Now Capital One Cards Now Earn Bonus Miles on Vacation Rentals Upgraded Points You Can Stay in n Romantic Castle Airbnb in South Dakota Only In Your State Santa Cruz County moves to rein in vacation rentals Lookout Santa Cruz |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
RELATED ARTICLES
Best Skin Diet For Healthy Skin "You are what you eat."Does it sound familiar? You probably have heard of it. Juicing - A Beginners Guide You can spot a juicer a mile off at the supermarket or greengrocer. Apart from the huge number of carrots and apples they are loading into their trolley, they also have that slightly smug, see-how-healthy-I-am look about them. Fluoride in Drinking Water Are there any benefits to be obtained from drinking water that has Fluoride added? Well, the jury seems to be out, and they have been out for a very long time, without producing a satisfactory answer as to whether it is beneficial or harmful.Scientists have discovered that there is a Toxic interaction between Fluoride and Aluminium, which can lead to Alzheimer's Disease. Nutritional Support in Critically Ill Patients The nutritional support in critically ill patients can be explained in 2 ways1.Enteral Nutrition2. When You Eat at the Fridge I spent a few days at a resort in Mexico this past summer for a friend's wedding. I've known her since the 2nd grade and it was a really fun time hanging out with familiar faces. Free List of Fat Burning Foods This free list of fat burning foods will help you make the right choices to burn off more fat than you ingest by eating them. The fat burning secret to losing weight is to eat and drink until you are full and satisfied, choosing foods that burn more calories than you consume. The Four Cornerstones of Nutrition What is nutrition? We hear so many reports today on different foods containing them, but the reporters rarely provide any context in which the informaiton can be understood. To receive the benefits of good nutrition, it is important to understand how the different components fit together. pH and Weight Loss THE RISKNo doubt you've heard of the increasingly popular "raw food" and "whole food" diets. Why are people so interested in eating raw food or whole food? One reason is that eating these types of food reduces the risk of acid accumulation in your body. Protein Wont Make You Fat: Myth #1 How many magazines have you read where they tell you to take in X grams of protein? How many times have you see .75g of protein per lb of bodyweight or 1g maybe 1. Poor Dental Hygiene May Account for Poor Health Bright white teeth and fresh breath does not necessarily mean you have a healthy mouth!� General health is directly related to gum health.� Gum disease has been linked to several medical conditions such as stroke, diabetes, heart attack and worsening lung disease. Protein - The Denominator Customary to All Diets The Human Body is in a constant flux with the environment. Matter and molecules flow in and out, casting themselves into its complexities. Fat Burning Compatible Foods Fat burning compatible foods seem to be a popular topic around the gym these days. We also hear a lot about negative calorie foods which are considered a part of fat burning compatible foods. Vitamin and Mineral Facts Vitamins & Minerals are essential to sustain life. Its what keeps us alive and healthy. Did You Start Your Life With Enough Probiotics? Why does disease begin in the digestive tract? Your digestive tract is your first line of defense when it comes to your health. This is because of the good bacteria that resides there. Got Sprouts? They're not only good for you, but they taste good, too. Sprouts are also a great source of vitamins, fiber, protein, anti-oxidants, and enzymes. Food for Healthy Nails Nails are a protective horn at the end of our most sensitive extremities: fingers and toes. They can often become injured from accidents or crushing weight such as heavy walking or running. Summer Sun Cures With summer comes more sun and with more sun comes an extra desire to be outdoors and with spending additional time outdoors comes ? you guessed it, sunburn.We all know the major importance of using sunscreen these days. Homeostasis and Complementary Therapies The word 'homeostasis' is made up of two Greek words: homeo; meaning the same or similar, and stasis; meaning stable, or standing in the same place. The body's systems participate in maintaining homeostasis, keeping the body's internal environment healthy despite external environmental change. Food thats Good for a Healthy Heart Here's a conundrum: While experts agree that high cholesterol and blood pressure are crucial heart disease risk factors, many people who suffer chest pain or even heart attacks have levels that are perfectly normal. This puzzle has prompted researchers to scour the body for other cardiovascular villains. Why Many Fat Free Diets Do Not Work Most people understand that it is wise to limit the amount of fat grams in their daily diet. The dietary reference intake amount for an adult ranges from 20% to 35%[i] of daily calories; or about 44 to 55 grams per day[1]. ![]() |
home | site map |
© 2005 |