How to control the QUALITY of your foods?

I am trying to eat healthier, not just lower cal, lower fat, but also, lower chemical pollutants, growth hormones, etc.

I feel like there are so many hidden toxins in our food that I spend so much time reading labels and being worried about what I'm eating and preparing for my family.

I do buy organic fruits and vegetables, milk, and meats, but my other concern is dairy has been proven to cause cancers, same with meat, but eating a vegan diet in my opinion is too much work, not totally healthy either, and honestly I, nor my family have any desire to adopt this diet.

Am I asking too much? I guess I just feel like I am working way way way to hard to control the quality of my foods, when in reality, the FDA, USDA, along with other organizations that are supposed to "protect" us should be doing so.

Thoughts?

Tue. Jan 22, 6:33pm

If you really want to control your quality of food you will need to grow it yourself, lol. Seriously though, you can support your local farmers and go to them for most of your foods, including dairy. Other then eating organics, free range and hunting your own wild animals for meat theres not a whole lot you can do.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008, 6:42 PM

Well, the less processed, the fewer the toxins... so go for the whole, organic grains and beans. Try to cut back on the number of pre-prepared foods... make that lasagna or pizza yourself instead of getting the frozen variety (line workers at plants don't necessarily care what goes into your food).
'Course that isn't always realistic.

If your seriously worried about Toxins, you can try Epsom Salts. I've used it on myself and my horses and it really does "draw" the crud right out of the system.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008, 8:03 PM

8:03 - I'm intrigued by this salt thing. How can you tell it works?

Tuesday, January 22, 2008, 8:10 PM

OP - I picked up a book today that might interest you. It's by the guy who wrote The Omnivore's Delimma. The new one is called In Defense of Food. It's pretty interesting. The last part of the book speaks to your question and in large part he suggests the farmer's market and community supported agriculture (which is buying into shares of a local farm), spending more for less food (buying quality vs. quantity = fresh and whole), buying foods with fewer than 5 ingredients (and making sure they're ingredients you can pronounce!), treating meat more like a side dish, etc.

And if more people did do these things then the food industry would change - that's what we can do.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008, 8:46 PM

8:03 here -- Sorry about the late reply.

Depending on the quantity of water and duration of soak, you'll notice a distinct change in color. Usually some shade of nasty brown.
I'd look it up online a little bit more before using it. I'm not an expert nor do I use the stuff on a regular basis.. but I felt better after using it a couple nights in a row. (placebo effect, maybe)

Wednesday, January 23, 2008, 8:57 PM

Yeah, I have the same concerns as the OP. Last year I started shopping mostly at the farmer's market store, which is right beside the grocery store here in town. I find if I go to the farmer's market first, I can get locally made bread, dairy, fruits, veggies, even hand-made pastas and the like. THEN I go to the grocery store and get whatever is left, which is usually just toiletries and meats and pet food. The bulk aisle is also your friend! You can find unprocessed stuff there like rolled oats, bulgur, millet, flax, etc etc for super cheap.

Friday, February 8, 2008, 1:50 PM

Read _In Defense of Food_ by Michael Pollan (total agreement with 8:46) and it will give you some great direction for healthier eating. I also loved _Omnivore's Dilemma_ by the same author. Barbara Kingsolver writes about a year her family left the "industrial food chain" and it was quite challenging. She has some good ideas though. Her book is _Animal Vegetable Miracle_.

It's interesting, you start to look at a much bigger circle of issues when you decide to live healthier. It can be complicated and confusing.

Friday, February 8, 2008, 2:02 PM

Another great read on this topic is Eat To Live by Dr. Fuhrman. I can't even tell you how it has benefitted my life!

Friday, February 8, 2008, 5:16 PM

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