Lori, Author at Fake Food Free

Easier Exercise This Weekend

August 1, 2008

I’m going to steer away from food for a minute today and talk about exercise. My brother just sent me the following article from Yahoo Health.

It is just more fuel for my anti pill-popping fire.

Drug gives couch potato mice benefits of a workout

You knew it had to be coming. If there are pills for eating soon there had to be pills for exercise.

Actually, I am a little surprised that the exercise pills didn’t come first. I mean, most people actually like to eat, however, many people loath exercise.

Of course the pill hasn’t been tested in humans. If you are a mouse and dislike moving your bum, then you might be in luck. The pill not only caused increased calorie burn, but also some signs of increased endurance capacity.

Unfortunately no pill will ever match real exercise, just as no pill can match real food.

You can show me calorie burn and endurance, but what happens to decreased anxiety and depression, healthy bones, muscle development, and socialization.

All are benefits of regular real exercise.

Now I will be honest. I’m at one of those motivational lows at the current moment where I’m having a really difficult time getting my butt to the gym. Even at times like these, I still wouldn’t consider a pill.

In addition to the fact that I’d miss a ton of benefits, laziness bothers me. Pill = laziness for me in this case.

Even if you have trouble moving due to certain conditions like the article mentions, walking 5 minutes is more beneficial than nothing at all. It is more about behavior change than physical changes a lot of the time.

The best line is the last one in the article. “For the majority of people,” she said, “it would be better to do exercise than to take a pill.”

At least they made a point to say it. Maybe there is still hope.

Photo courtesy of Free Range Stock

Traveling

July 30, 2008

I just finished one trip and I am gearing up for another one in a few weeks. No, I’m definitely not complaining. I love to travel. However, the jeans are not quite as comfortable as they were a week or so ago.

That is the good and evil of traveling – the food. You want to try all the new things around you, but after a while it is just too much.

For me, traveling is all about the food. I think eating local dishes is the best way to experience a culture. It may not even be the culture you’re in, but a fusion of cultures that have settled in that place.

I usually don’t have much trouble staying away from fake foods when I travel. I have the occasional bar food snacks, but normally I try to stick to real meals.

I enjoy the homemade pastries, pastas and other local dishes.

I didn’t say these things are necessarily healthy in large quantities, but travel is about enjoyment and I can’t find enough reasons to deprive myself when I travel. I definitely exceed my 20%.

When traveling a lot, like I seem to be doing right now, I find that following the portion size and hunger cues are important. While it is normally important to not to skip meals, I also feel it is important not to eat when you are not hungry. That means a skipped breakfast or lunch here and there when I’m on a trip.

One thing I do lack when I travel is fruit and maybe some vegetables. You have to make some pretty difficult choices to get as much of these things on the road as you do at home and I’ll admit I often fall short.

It is a huge dilemma for me. I want to be healthy, but sometimes healthy doesn’t taste good depending on the options. I’m just being honest.

I’ve met people of all kinds in the health field. Those who are strict and don’t even splurge on vacation. Those that are well balanced between eating well and an occasional treat. Those who go all out and return to healthy eating when the holiday is over.

How would you consider yourself?

I tend to eat a little too much on vacation, but I don’t lose site of health all together. I’m conscious of my water intake, calcium and fruits and veggies, even if I fall short.

Deep down though, food is a source of enjoyment for me. I think there should be a balance and from time to time we should let ourselves go, so-to-speak. If you enjoy food, I feel you should take advantage of travel, but cut back when you are back home.

Photo of Praça Osório near Rua das Flores – Curitiba, Brasil

A Healthy Food Philosophy

July 28, 2008

Creating, cooking and eating food is much more than simply meeting a basic human need – it is an art.

This is the guiding philosophy of the Italian pasta company, Barilla. I was reading a pretty interesting story about their company this past week and came across it.

I’ve turned many pages in my quest to maintain a healthy relationship with food. I’ve deprived myself, binged one day a week, concentrated on specific food groups and tried to view food only as a fuel source.

The problems with the first three speak for themselves. It took me a while to recognize my problem with the last relationship.

There was a time when I felt that if I viewed food only as fuel I could eliminate the temptation to overindulge in things that tasted good, but weren’t good for me. Choosing foods with a fuel source mentality meant I shouldn’t be concerned with taste, texture or flavor only with the nutrient components that would fuel my body.

Yes, there were leather-like protein bars, chalky shakes and bland chicken breasts.

Let me tell you, this lead to a pretty boring life food-wise. It left me feeling pretty deprived too. Thinking like this completely takes the enjoyment out of food.

Due to the fact that as a society we have the tendency to overeat, we are taught that food is not meant to be enjoyed. What an awful way of thinking.

It is this kind of thinking that has gotten us to where we are today. We’ve forgotten to enjoy anything about the food we eat. For some it has turned into a drive-thru meal because our schedules are too busy. For others it has turned into our counselor when we feel alone or stressed. We don’t taste it, we just eat it. It simply fulfills a basic need.

In addition, by loosing this connection with what we put in our mouths we end up putting in way too much. We don’t taste it or enjoy it so there is no satiety.

What I like about the philosophy above is its mention that food does not just fulfill a basic need. Food should be about enjoyment, family, health, creativity and curiosity.

It takes an effort to look at food from this perspective, but when doing so we realize food isn’t an enemy and it isn’t simply a nutrient. It can contribute to a very healthy life both physically and mentally.

So I guess my thinking on food can be a little complex. However, at the same time it is quite simply. It is what other cultures have done since their beginning.

Do you have a philosophy when it comes to health and food?

Photo by chamomile, morguefile.com

Responsibility

July 21, 2008

A couple years ago my husband and I were on our annual vacation to the Caribbean. We were headed off our resort in Jamaica to a biking excursion in the Blue Mountains.

We had been waiting on the bus 10 minutes or so when something on the radio caught my attention. It was a PSA about physical activity. The last sentence of the script was a bit shocking and also thought provoking.

“Remember, your health is your responsibility.”

This was shocking because I’m not sure you would ever hear a phrase like this in the US, certainly not on a radio PSA.

Personally, I truly believe this statement. Unfortunately, we live in a society of blame. Obesity and the related diseases are blamed on the fast food companies, attitudes and unhappiness are blamed on how we were raised, and the inability to lose those extra pounds is the diet’s fault, not our own.

We often like to assign the terms ‘failure’ and ‘success’ to eating right and being active. By doing this we make being healthy something that is a goal to be achieved or an option in our lives. People (myself included) like to state that a diet failed or a new exercise program didn’t work.

Regardless of how hard our environment and past might make it to choose the healthy option, it is still our personal responsibility to do so.

If you think about it, it’s actually quite empowering to know that we have this control over our health. I try each day not to lose site of that power and surrender it to fake foods and miracle cures.

I wish that we could incorporate the message above into more of our health focused initiatives in the US. There seems to be this fear related to it. Like people don’t really believe it or it is the wrong thing to say.

I remember returning after that trip and sharing the phrase with many people I worked with. The attitude was one that seemed to express – yeah, that is true, but we can’t say that.

Why not? Why can other countries promote this and we can’t? Are people so caught up in wanting to blame others for their health that they would be infuriated to hear someone tell them this? Sadly, I think there are some that would be.

I think the key is to focus on the fact that this isn’t a curse, it is power. There are few things we have the power to control in this world. And yes, there will always be those cases where healthy people get horrible diseases. However, when it comes to things like energy, vitality, positive attitudes and simply being healthy, these are all immediate positive reinforcements that we have the control to bring about by making healthy choices.

Being healthy and protecting ourselves from disease, choosing real fresh foods and making the time to prepare them, and being active daily is our responsibility. Not the doctor’s, the food company’s or our family’s, it is ours.

Photo of Blue Mountain Bike Tour – Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Well Said

July 18, 2008

If you feel the same way I do about real food and physical activity (and even if you don’t) you should check out this video.

It touches on the fact that the answer to our health problems are simple and on the fact that media and drug companies have manipulated us into thinking that we have everything under the sun and need a pill for it. The best part is the comment that diet and exercise do not fail.

Same Old Suggestions

July 16, 2008

I know you’ve seen them before – those articles that pop up in all health magazines offering little tips for cutting a few calories each day. These types of articles and their tips usually elicit three different responses from me.

“Um, I am a basically healthy person and already do this.”

“What in the world?”

Then there are a few that make me say, “That is actually a great idea.”

I really support the theory behind these kinds of articles because the idea of cutting a few calories each day is perfect for weight loss and maintenance. I came across one last night that had me concerned, though. As much as health is evolving and people are increasing their awareness about real food, nutrition researchers and practitioners still can’t break some of their old fashioned suggestions.

Let me give you a few examples of the suggestions I saw.

Have diet soda instead of regular soda.
Order fat-free cream cheese.
Have fat-free fudge pops instead of chocolate.
Leave food on your plate after each meal.
Skip egg yolks.

I don’t think I need to explain the first one given my past posts. You know I’m on a mission to greatly reduce and someday eliminate diet sodas. I also don’t think synthetic fat replacers are the way to go, especially when it comes to replacing chocolate. Personally I would never substitute anything for chocolate. Even a little bit of milk variety is good for the soul, make it dark and it is good for your heart too.

When it comes to leaving food on your plate, this is something I’ve struggled with from a wastefulness stand point. While I don’t think we should consume huge portions, I think it is irresponsible to waste the food we are given. A better suggestion for me is to split the meal in half and take some home or order a smaller portion.

While I love egg whites and their health benefits as much as the next nutritionally conscious person, I see a place for egg yolks in the diet. Egg yolks are brain food. While you save calories (about 70 in the yolk, versus 17 in the white) and fat by choosing whites you are also loosing some pretty beneficial nutrients for the mind. For example, egg yolks contain necessary choline, a nutrient that also plays a role with the metabolizing and accessibility of folic acid.

Yes, there is the cholesterol concern, but a person can eat a few egg yolks a week and maintain health. Just keep your cholesterol intake throughout the rest of your day in check.

In fairness, the article did have some decent, applicable tips. Things like diluting juice with water and leave the butter off popcorn. You can check it out here to see for yourself.

Seeing the suggestions as mentioned above just reminds me that we have a long way to go before real food is supported as healthy over fat-free, sugar-free versions. I think there has been a lot of progress over the years. I’m just wondering when we’ll get to the point of stopping suggestions for diet soda for health reasons. Why not sparkling water? Or why not encourage full, rich foods in moderation for health? Hmm…maybe I should write my own article.

Photo courtesy of Free Range Stock

Green Snacks?

July 11, 2008

It is amazing to me how much the green movement has taken over our lives. It is positive, yes, but it is everywhere. I do have to admit that I’m turned off by how it is the cool thing to brag about all the green things you do.

I view it like good deeds. I was always taught that it isn’t all that polite to brag about how many good deeds you do each day or how much money you donate to a charity. Being green is like a good deed for the earth and future generations. Do it and feel good about it. Don’t brag about it.

So I guess I should get to my point. In the media we are receiving an overload of information about snack companies implementing greener practices.

I’m not stupid. I know that these companies will always be there despite the fact that many people are eating healthier. It is a good thing that they are working to help the environment.

However, this act of green-ness isn’t going to improve on the foods they are producing. I might feel better about the environment by purchasing chips from an eco-conscious company, but I won’t feel any better about my personal health.

I haven’t completely eliminated these foods, but I do limit them. As green as the production processes may be, they still aren’t real food.

I guess I’m just trying to figure out how the public will react to these changes. Will parents feel better about feeding their children sodium and fat filled potato chips because they are supporting a green company? Do people who couldn’t care less about their health care any more about the environment?

Green practices are a good thing, but sometimes I think we start in the wrong place. We start with the external when we should start with the internal. Focus on having a green body – one that is full of healthy, natural foods. This will no doubt affect the environment from our buying practices to lowering the funds spent on healthcare.

Be green, not just in what you buy and what you do, but in who you are.

Photo by Schick, morguefile.com

Book Review: Garlic and Sapphires

July 9, 2008

If you are in need of some summer reading (or winter depending on where you live) I highly suggest this book. It is perfect for anyone with an interest in food and a little bit of fantasy. I’ll explain that in a minute.

Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl is the story of Ruth’s life as a restaurant critic for the New York Times. Considering that this book is mostly about eating you are probably thinking it doesn’t fit well with a health focused blog like this one, but let me expand on why I liked it so much.

First, about the food. Aside from being an amazing food writer who makes you feel as though you can taste the entrees as she describes them, in my opinion, Ruth really represents what eating should be like.

I’ve talked a lot lately about the enjoyment of food and later I’ll talk about mindful eating. This book does a great job of showing us both. The story is about her eating real food and getting complete satisfaction from it. I can definitely use some lessons in this technique. I think the problem of quick meals hurriedly eaten between busy schedules is something we can all relate to. This book alone will cause you to slow down and savor the moment.

Second, I said I’d mention the fantasy. If you are familiar with the book you know Ruth has to disguise herself to critique some restaurants which makes for fun reading, but this isn’t what I’m speaking of. I’m talking about the fantasy of eating at the places and enjoying the foods she eats. Reading the book presented the sad reality that I will probably never have the status or the funds to eat at some of these elite restaurants, but it made it even more exciting to read. I felt as though I was disguised with her.

It also completely dispelled the myth of the perfect job. Sure, it would be awesome if eating wonderful foods defined your career, but who knew people were so incredibly awful to food critics.

Finally, the book is just a great story about the lessons of life and how things always seem to work out in the end.

So find yourself a few minutes this summer and relax with this great book. If you have read it or plan to, I’d love to hear what you think of it.

Photo courtesy of Free Range Stock

Pill Popping

July 7, 2008

I mentioned before when talking about multivitamins
that I am not a big fan our nutrient pill popping habits in the US. With the advances of modern nutrition research we are learning more about what food components are good for us and how exactly they benefit our health.

We know that green tea is full of antioxidants. Wine, due to the skin of grapes, contains this amazing little component called resveratrol that has anti-aging properties. Fish oils can improve cardiovascular health and reduce inflammation.

All of this we have learned from nutrition research. After finding this, do you know what we have done with this information? Yes, we’ve encouraged people to consume the foods and drinks. Well, except for alcohol. Our government can’t be irresponsible and promote alcohol consumption despite the fact that cultures all over the world enjoy the health benefits. Sorry, that is another topic all together.

Anyway, along with a little promotion about including it in your diet came the huge spike in the creation of supplements. If we can identify the one tiny substance in a wonderful food, we should just put it in a pill and consume it that way. How innovative. How convenient.

My question is – why? Why would we rather swallow a pill than eat a delicious salmon entrée? Why would we rather turn to a pill bottle than to an evening with a glass of wine, socializing with friends? Is it that people want to feel better about consuming fast food daily or skipping meals by popping a fish oil pill every now and then?

I’ve tried to figure it out, but it just makes no sense to me. I understand the theory behind some of it. I did a project about green tea in school and I know to reap the benefits of some of these compounds you need to take in large amounts. Usually more than most people would consider having in a day. However, with regular consumption over time I truly believe you’ll get these same benefits. Healthy cultures like the Japanese and Chinese speak for themselves.

There are two main reasons why I disagree with this society that has been created. The first is that it takes away from the enjoyment of food. This is something the US as a whole has long forgotten and many other cultures still remember. We should not be scared to enjoy real food, even those foods that have a little too much fat and calories should be enjoyed in moderation.

Eating should be satisfying. Personally, I want to eat all those foods, taste them and savor them, not just swallow them. Getting up on a cool morning and enjoying a cup of tea has benefits for both physical and mental health, as does the consumption of many other real foods.

I feel that a lot of our problems both with obesity and obsession with healthy foods – yes they are both problems, comes from the fact that we simply do not have a healthy relationship with food. We worry and think about it so much on both ends of the spectrum that we forget to enjoy it.

Second, we take away additional benefits of the foods that contain these substances when we isolate them into pill form. There is valuable protein in fish in addition to the fish oils. Fruits and vegetables give us healthy carbohydrates and fiber in addition to their vitamins and antioxidants. I just think by isolating substances we are missing out on the whole healthy picture.

So tell me, do you prefer pills? Tell me why. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe there is a future and necessity to this industry and nutrition pill popping society.

Photo courtesy of Free Range Stock

Diet Soda Death Grip

July 3, 2008

I’ve come a long way in my efforts to break my diet soda habit. I very seldom turn to my old standby afternoon snack anymore. I am sad to say that occasionally there are those times when I still crave one.

There is a lot of controversy as to whether diet soda causes an increase in hunger and weight gain. For me, it was an appetite suppressant which is why I had such a hard time giving them up.

In the afternoons, I had a choice to eat (calories) or drink a diet soda (no calories). I always chose the diet soda and I was never hungry afterwards. I realize I was damaging my health in other ways, but I wasn’t taking in excess calories.

Giving up diet soda, for me, was like quitting a habit such as smoking regarding the appetite increase. It was much easier than quitting smoking (I’m guessing), but when I cut them out of my diet I was hungry all the time, specifically in the afternoons.

Now when I give into my occasional craving, I am sorry I did. It honestly makes me feel bad. I think it is my body’s rebellion against the aspartame, but I now get sluggish and sometimes get a headache.

Even so, diet soda has this death grip on me and won’t let go. There is always that temptation to grab one while I’m out shopping, or with certain foods. I will admit that some foods taste better with soda. Pizza is a good example.

So this grip that diet soda has got me thinking about a health seminar I went to once. Back when I had an office job and had the luxury of going off to health conferences, I was able to hear Dr. David Katz speak. It has been about 3 years now.

He’s got quite a track record. Not only is he associated with Yale, but he does the nutrition column in O magazine, is a medical contributor to ABC news and he was the nutritionist on the first season of VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club. That’s were I first saw him and then started learning more about his more professional attributes.

At this particular conference he spoke about the speculation that some foods have additives that can cause addictions. Thus, making us want to return to the food time and time again. Interesting stuff. It made me think twice about what I was eating, spurring on more of this fake food free quest.

It is remembering things like these that give me the motivation to stay away from sodas and break the habit once and for all. I have found that part of the craving for me is the carbonation. Sparkling water or water with gas is a great substitute. The only negative is that it is not popular in the US, which means it is expensive.

Does diet soda have a grip on you? Any tips for breaking the habit?

Photo by cohdra, morguefile.com