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We want to know what questions you have on health and wellness. Share your questions here and Arlene Sanoy, registered dietician at Kraft Kitchens, will stop by monthly to select two questions to be answered in our new upcoming KRAFT Live Healthy & Happy newsletter. The answers will also be posted here for everyone to see on the message boards.
Please keep in mind that other members may claim medical or nutrition expertise or status that they may, or may not, possess. Please use good judgment and discretion in following their advice. Always check with your doctor or nutritionist before modifying your diet.
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Posts:
293
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Posted:
Nov 7, 2009 1:55 AM
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> I wish more will watch this movie, and learn about
> our foods. Separation of powers, checks and balances,
> enumerated powers, independent state governments,
> frequent elections, impeachment processes, the right
> to bear arms, an independent private sector, property
> rights, the right to petition government for redress
> of grievances, freedoms of speech and press etc, was
> all created through Judicial Activist Judge's, and,
> Special Interest groups plus bureaucrats, for control
> of power, through these people. A fine example, of
> this, is in a new DVD, that just came out, titled
> "FOOD, Inc.", a Robert Kenner film. In it, you'll see
> the few GIANT's that control everything we do, how we
> live and what we are forced to eat etc., these same
> people have powerful seats, and are in Congress also,
> apointed by the President as well, both on the GOP
> and Democrat side, and, with these people running the
> show, we can't and will not be able to limit
> government ever, until they are all gone from those
> seats, no matter how long we all whine about a
> smaller government.
Just when I thought is was safe to return to the kitchen.
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Posts:
135
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Posted:
Nov 6, 2009 3:27 PM
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I wish more will watch this movie, and learn about our foods. Separation of powers, checks and balances, enumerated powers, independent state governments, frequent elections, impeachment processes, the right to bear arms, an independent private sector, property rights, the right to petition government for redress of grievances, freedoms of speech and press etc, was all created through Judicial Activist Judge's, and, Special Interest groups plus bureaucrats, for control of power, through these people. A fine example, of this, is in a new DVD, that just came out, titled "FOOD, Inc.", a Robert Kenner film. In it, you'll see the few GIANT's that control everything we do, how we live and what we are forced to eat etc., these same people have powerful seats, and are in Congress also, apointed by the President as well, both on the GOP and Democrat side, and, with these people running the show, we can't and will not be able to limit government ever, until they are all gone from those seats, no matter how long we all whine about a smaller government.
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Posts:
939
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Posted:
Nov 4, 2009 12:51 PM
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I must say, I'm not much of a morning person either. What I do is make one (or two) pot(s) of coffee a week- then keep it in the fridge. I make it extra strong to start- and then in the morning I can just pour a cup- and add some milk (or in my case, soy milk). Presto- Iced Coffee (i prefer it without the ice) & caffeine- without having to think!
And, yes, coffee has been shown to be better than soda- actually coffee is quite healthy in moderation (approx no more than 2-3 cups or 12-18oz per day). It contains anti-oxidants, and may help prevent some diseases.
I know how hard it is to try and be healthy while working your way through school- but you'll be surprised how little changes add up- and help your motivation! Try to plan ahead as much as possible. Buy the microwave ready frozen veggies, or just have them portioned out into microwavable containers yourself. Cut lots of veggies to much on all at once- and then keep in ziplocks in the fridge (or use your grocery store produce section/salad bar area to buy ready-to-eat items). Also be sure to include lots of items that raise your 'good' cholesterol- such as nuts, olives/olive oil, avocado, etc... just in case your numbers aren't 'ideal'. Excercise- or at least some sort of activity or movement daily is also important. Again, good luck!
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Posts:
143
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Posted:
Nov 3, 2009 9:59 AM
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hj.....If you want to drink coffee in the morning instead of Diet coke, buy a programmable coffee maker, and place the water and coffee in the coffee maker, set timer, and when you wake up you will have nice, hot coffee waiting for you.
I use my programmable coffee maker a lot in the winter...but I set it to start while taking my girls to school so when I get home and out of the cold, I have hot coffee to warm me up.
Eating more fiber would be a good thing....if you do up your fiber, do it a little at a time so your body gets used to it....otherwise, it might not be a good thing to add too much fiber at once
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Posts:
212
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Posted:
Nov 3, 2009 1:17 AM
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I like the idea of cutting my pop with ice. I don't usually do it because I don't like getting a mouth full of ice when I take a drink, but I can always use a straw. And I really like the idea of adding some veggie components to soda water, cucumber sounds really good, I have some shredded in the freezer. I'm not a big fan of fruit, but I do like blueberries and raspberries, I'll give that a try too.
I'm not a coffee drinker, just because it isn't as easy as pouring a glass of Diet Coke in the morning. (Sad, huh? I'm a bumbling idiot in the morning, one of those people that wanders around for a good hour before I even know which end is up.) Would coffee be a better alternative for a caffeine intake? I hate to say it, but I need it. I'm a second-shifter thats trying to maintain a modicum of first shift hours and the AM is rough without caffiene.
And ugh.. 1 oz. of cheese? I'm sure I get my full calcium allowance before the day is half through. Not to mention any of the other dairy.. I do know that my fat and calorie intake is to high. I've never had my cholesterol checked, I'm 29, and while on the high end of the BMI spectrum (5'5" 180 lbs), my doc hasn't put me through cholesterol tests yet because he knows I'm a student with no health insurance. Whats really sad is that I'm a student in the medical field-ish. Med. transcription.
I will check out mypyramid.gov. I also have a few ideas of revamping my diet to meet the needs of my savory tooth without using dairy. I really like veggies, but it seems easier to quick pull out a bowl of cottage cheese than steam fresh (or frozen) broccolli, etc. I'll just have to stop being lazy and start making more of the good things I like. That will also help up my fiber intake, which I'm concerned about.
Thanks so much for your help!
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Posts:
939
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Posted:
Nov 1, 2009 8:18 AM
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Glad to be able to help!
Well, here's the thing about artificial sweeteners- the amount used is not listed on the label as it is with "real" sugars. So, it's very hard to compare products to know which would be the 'better' option. Also, different products may use different artificial sweeteners (those would be listed on the label). You can try to "guess" which may have the least by looking at where the sweetener(s) fall on the list of ingredients. The closer to the top of the list- the more added.
But, as I said before- your best bet is cutting back all together. If that is impossible- I would at least advise cutting with water (I always have my soda, tea, etc.. over ice; and often even dilute with extra water). I would also recommend adding variety- so add in some Crystal Light (to replace some of the Diet Coke). It certainly can't hurt!
As for additives to soda water- Yes! any type of fruit etc.. that you fancy can be added. Even veggies and herbs (such as cucumber and mint; Ginger and Basil, etc...) Experiment and see what you like. Some herbal teas also have a sweet taste- without any or much added sugar. You can try them warm or cold.
As for the dairy- it's hard to OD on calcium in general (at least from food sources)- but there is a recommended "tolerable upper limit"- which is 2,500mg per day. Technically you shouldn't exceed that. Excess calcium in the blood (which is usually medical) can cause impaired kidney function, and lead to reduced absorption of essential minerals, such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus. But again, that is rare. However, as with anyfood- there is such a thing as "too much". If nothing else- it will be replacing other important foods in your diet. I don't recommend more than 3 or 4 serving per day. A serving is 8 oz of milk, 6-8 oz of yogurt, 1 oz of cheese, and1-2 tablespoons of cream cheese or sour cream. It's great that you're choosing reduced fat products- however, even the reduced fat/FF version contain cholesterol. Ironically, however, all that dairy could be the reason that the Diet Coke hasn't caused alot of enamel errosion- it's been documented to coat & protect teeth!
What I would do is work on getting a balance/moderation of artificial sweeteners & dairy in my diet. I would also take a good look at my intake to ensure that I am meeting my needs for all vitamins/minerals (your protein intake would be fine- if not a bit excessive with all the dairy). You also want to make sure you are not exceeding your needs for fat, calories and cholesterol (as well as sodium). Try logging into mypyramid.gov - and entering in your stats & what you've eaten for a few "typical" days (I recommend using 2 typical weekdays- and 1 weekend day). It will give you good feedback on your diet. If you find that you are far off of recommendations- you can always sit down with an RD- and brainstorm some ideas to make changes with out overwhelming yourself.
Good luck!
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Posts:
212
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Posted:
Nov 1, 2009 1:35 AM
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St B ~ I was hoping you'd reply to my question! Its embarassing, but I actually meant that I drink a 2 liter per day of Diet Coke. Other than that, I'm not a big sugar person, I have a really bad 'savory tooth.' I actually like Diet Coke because it doesn't taste so sweet. I can't stand pops with regular sugar like Coke or Mountain Dew. Bluh.. like drinking syrup, and what a terrible after taste. Would drinking something like Crystal Light be better? I really like their Peach Iced Tea mix. I know its still artificial sugar.. but..?? Could I use other fruits besides lemon and lime with soda water?
Speaking of my savory tooth.. I'm a HUGE dairy junkie. I drink alot of milk, I LOVE cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, if its dairy I'm all over it. Except ice cream. Not big into that. I'll have a bowl every few months. I guess I'm wondering.. can I OD on calcium? You brought up my teeth.. I was just into the dentist for a root canal, and this is bad, but I hadn't been in for over 10 years. He said my teeth looked great besides they needed a good cleaning (possibly periodontal treatment) and the root canal which he said was due to food impaction because of the way that tooth sat in my mouth. Otherwise no cavities or any other problems. Which leads me to belive my sugar and protein intake levels are OK? With all of the dairy I eat do I need to be worried about calcium deposits? I usually always buy FF or 2% products if that makes a difference..
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Posts:
939
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Posted:
Oct 31, 2009 10:13 AM
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I always advise people to treat diet or sugar free items just as they would the full sugar version. Would you be content drinking a full liter of regular soda a day? Probably not- and certainly not recommended. As far as issues- you certainly could be addicted- both the the caffeine and to the sugary flavors.
Diet soda is also horrible for your teeth (due to the acids- it's actually more acidic than regular soda).
I recommend slowly cutting back to a more reasonable amount. Try substituting with carbonated water with fruit slices such as lemon or lime.
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Posts:
212
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Posted:
Oct 27, 2009 4:27 PM
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I'm a big Diet Coke drinker. I really should say AVID. I drink it all day long, every day. I usually go through a liter per day. I know this is terrible, but I'm addicted to it I swear. I think they put crack in that stuff!
I've always wondered what exactly I'm doing to my body, aside from the sodium content, am I REALLY harming myself? I do drink plenty of water also.
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Posts:
939
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Posted:
Oct 27, 2009 12:45 PM
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Vanessa hit the nail on the head. The real problem with processed foods are the calorie, salt, sugar & fat content (type) used. It's also true that some people have sensitivities to some of the preservatives used in processing.
However, none of the additives (including artificial sweeteners such as aspertame) cause cancer in humans. (Or that HFCS or any other modified sugar source causes any disease condition not otherwise induced by general overconsumption of table sugar or other substances.) The studies that have shown ill effect in lab animals (generally rats/mice) are not parallel to human consumption. Nor are people large lab rats.
And for most people, convenience is a big factor- at least some of the time. I would MUCH rather that families rely on processed foods here and there, then constant take-out or forgetting the family meal time all together. Is it important for all of us to strive for some control over what we eat, and to choose the best options possible? Absolutely. But we shouldn't ignore the big picture, either.
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Posts:
293
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Posted:
Oct 27, 2009 12:23 AM
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I agree Cinderbella it is hard to cut back on boxed meals when it is so convenient and quick to prepare these days.
I have also stop buying many process foods due to the fact that they tend to be loaded with calories, carbs, salt and sugar. Most of my cooking including sweets are made from scratch, this way I am in control of what goes into my body.
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Posts:
143
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Posted:
Oct 26, 2009 10:05 AM
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I know that for me, I have tried hard in cutting back on using boxed foods. The ingredient list alone scares the hell out of me like many others. I do feel guilty when time is short, too many things going on, and then rely on some boxed mix to make dinner......I hate to admit, but I never used to give it a second thought but I know I need to try harder in preparing more homeade foods, including occassional sweet treats for my childrens' lunchboxes.
I think a huge problem for many is the fact that boxed mixes are cheaper to buy than buying many ingredients to make a healthier version......too many people really can not afford many healthy grocoeries.
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4
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Posted:
Oct 26, 2009 3:39 AM
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Here is the ingredient list to their new Easy Mac and Cheese that they peddle like crack on our children.
If this is the only time you do it, please take time to read it; especially if you feed this to your children.
Ingredients: enriched macaroni product (wheat flour, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE [IRON], THIAMIN MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID), MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, salt, MALTODEXTRIN, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, ACETYLATED MONOGLYCERIDES, MEDIUM CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDES, APOCAROTENAL (COLOR), CHEESE SAUCE MIX (notice there is more corn syrup than milk)(WHEY, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, PALM OIL, MILK, MILKFAT, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SALT, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE, MEDIUM CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDES, NATURAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, LACTIC ACID, GUAR GUM, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, milk (way down here?), dried onions, YELLOW 5, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, YELLOW 6, enzymes, cheese culture).
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Posts:
4
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Posted:
Oct 26, 2009 3:32 AM
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I quit buying all Kraft products and only post here to help others realize that Kraft isn't as healthy as they claim.
Look at what they push on our children. Processed everything.
High Fructose Corn Syrup is in most of their products and they refuse to remove it. They also use genetically modified ingredients and don't want us to know.
Look at their newest products and see which one of these can TRULY be called nutritious.
Cool Whip Dips
New Jello Pudding
DiGiorno Ultimate Toppings Pizza
DiGiorno Rising Crust
Golden Double Stuf OREO Cookies
Calorie Packs Sweet & Salty Mix Kettle Flavor
OREO CAKESTERS Peanut Butter Crème
Ritz Crackerfuls
Oscar Mayer Lunchables
Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh luncheats
New Miracle Whip
Most have HFCS, all have GMO's. Some have aspartame (it has been proven to cause cancer) and others have preservatives, trans-fats and food colorings.
Wake up people. Kraft is out to kill you and you are letting them.
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Posts:
1
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Posted:
Aug 28, 2009 8:42 AM
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I agree with most of the postings. I teach Family & Consumer Sciences (formally known as Home Ec) and we explain to our students that anything natural is better than something created in a lab. Although this doesn't mean that we should be consuming so much added sugar on a daily basis. People need to start cutting back on the sodas, sweetened iced teas, lemonade, gatorade, vitamin water, etc. Water is the way to go. I sometimes squeeze a little lemon, lime, or even orange in my water when I want a new flavor.
Consumers have to also start worrying about the amount of HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) they are putting into their body. There hasn't been much research on how HFCS will affect us in years to come, but again, it is not a natural form of sugar. It's in everything from bread (even some whole grains), yogurt, ketchup, sodas, jarred sauces, pickles, canned products, and even plain cereals, such as Special K....please read the ingredients list on food labels. If it has sugar in the first three ingredients put it down, and if it has HFCS try to find another brand that doesn't have it. Sometimes making things from scratch is the way to go. Companies use HFCS because it's cheaper than real sugar and tastes just as sweet if not sweeter. If consumers demand no HFCS in products they won't put it in.
A change needs to be made for ourselves and for our youth.
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