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Foods that the health experts won't eat!

post #1 of 26
12/14/09 at 1:06pm
Thread Starter 
Organic Consumers Association just posted an interesting piece from Prevention Magazine which poses the question, "What foods do you avoid?" A bunch of food and health experts answered and said the food to avoid are...

  • Canned Tomatoes
  • Corn-Fed Beef
  • Microwave Popcorn
  • Non-organic Potatoes
  • Farmed Salmon
  • Milk Produced with Artificial Hormones
  • Non-organic Apples

Read the whole article to find out why you should avoid the baddies above. It's a pretty good list I think. I actually avoid all of the above except the beef, which I don't eat in any form. I did not however, know about all the health reasons to avoid some of these. For example, I do avoid microwave popcorn but because of paper and packaging waste not because of the health problems so it was a cool read.

You can also check out other foods to avoid from the Dirty Dozen list.

Do you avoid any of the foods on the list above? 
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post #2 of 26
12/14/09 at 1:19pm
Thanks for the link, Jennifer.  I started to read the article when a phrase immediately jumped out at me and bothered me (apparently I'm easily annoyed).  "Joel Salatin, co-owner of Polyface Farms says cattle evolved to eat grass, not grains..."  Why is this basic fact not just stated as a fact, and instead has to be attributed to Joel Salatin, a farmer (I'm a big fan of his, btw) as though it's just something he said?  This is just a microcosm of what bothers me in journalism today.  There aren't two sides to every single issue, and presenting this simple fact as something some farmer decided to say gives it the appearance of not being a fact, but rather his opinion. 
Sorry to go on a tangent like that

I do avoid some of the stuff on the list, or at least limit my consumption.  I've avoided microwave ever since I saw what goes into the butter flavoring.
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post #3 of 26
12/14/09 at 10:05pm
Hi Captaint -  İ believe the attribution is more or less 'name dropping' plus it takes the load off the author's shoulders.

İt is easier to get the average person to believe something they know nothing about if you attach a few titles and names to it. Out of courtesy to Jennifer, İ won't make any more comments about the site but İ believe there are some serious misrepresentations being made.

İ like that about the popcorn butter - İ remember my father taking a tour of the Amour-Star meat packing plant in Portland, OR when İ was a little kid. He would not eat a hot dog the rest of his life - probably some 40 years! Dad always fed beef for the home table separately - more grass and little grain - better beef.
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post #4 of 26
12/15/09 at 5:14am
You're right of course, Russ.  Just irked me for some reason :)

As for the butter popcorn, it's actually part of what I do.  My company makes flavors.  Not only do I get to see what goes in it, but I get to put the stuff in the flavors!

You're dad seems like a sensible man.
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post #5 of 26
12/16/09 at 6:38am
İ was not being nice to the authors as İ believe you generally use qualifications such as names only when you don't know your topic.

That is one of my pet peeves - too many sites have authors who know very little of their topic and make a hash of the whole article. One of the benefits of the web!

Just today İ saw an article on eboom all excited as solar panels were coming to a Lowe's near you (in California to start) and that the company making the package would include instructions on how to apply for permits.

To me the permits are only one part and not a dangerous one. İ can see unqualified people doing DIY and messing up the roof of their house or the electrical side.

A qualified (licensed) electrician will be required to do the installation if you want to connect to the grid - certainly the utility and state regulations will guarantee that. İf it is an off grid DIY and you manage to cause a house fire your home owners insurance is probably void. 

For most people the cost of hiring an installer will probably be a good investment!

İ believe articles like İ just mentioned only serve to lead the unwary down the primrose path!
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post #6 of 26
12/16/09 at 3:25pm
Thread Starter 
Ha, you know you don't have to be nice to me Russ - I like hearing your opinions. I usually agree by at least half :)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Russ View Post

Out of courtesy to Jennifer, İ won't make any more comments about the site but İ believe there are some serious misrepresentations being made.
 

On that note I agree with the list for the most part. Although I wish they would explain more in the article especially about potatoes being that regular potatoes always make the bad pesticide lists while sweet potatoes don't - since they seem a lot alike in form, that never makes sense to me and I've never seen it explained well. One issue is that people won't usually read very long excerpts online, so I'm guessing that's one reason that online authors attribute vs. explain the entire situation.

I had a friend who visited one of the meat packing companies here on a school field trip as a kid (interesting choice for a school trip) and she became a vegetarian directly after. It's weird how one thing can make you stop or start living in a new way.

About the popcorn - I've never bought microwave popcorn, but it was always because of the excess paper waste not the health issues. Plus I didn't own a microwave until this year - for some reason I always assumed they were not eco-friendly until I researched them more. 
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post #7 of 26
12/16/09 at 9:32pm
For years microwaves were on the bad list for being green - used too much power.

Then some smart person pointed out that the time periods a microwave was on were very short so actual power consumption was low. 

For the OCA -Concerning GMO grain -  the entire proposed, ready made email for one to click on and send is not factual and in reality has no facts in it. İt is about like the old stories concerning the microwave.

İ realize the best way to get action is to stand on a soap box, scream and lie like hell while doing so (well proven in politics) but the method is neither ethical or honest - long term those kind of actions are rarely successful. 
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post #8 of 26
12/17/09 at 1:53pm
Thread Starter 
I heard that microwaves were a hazard for years due to the whole "They emit radiation deal" then, yeah I heard that energy use was significant. Now I'm better at researching stuff :)

It does seem like politicians and some green folks follow the rant and yell formula. I agree it's better to be honest though than extreme to prove a point. I'm still on the fence about GMO - until someone proves one way or another that it's ok or not. So far the argument for both sides seems bloated with too many contradicting pros and cons.
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post #9 of 26
1/17/10 at 9:28am
I completely agree! 

I would add more products to your list!

one being Canned items..such as campbell's soups, Amy's soups anything that comes in a can is toxic because the liners of these cans have BPA and is toxic. Buy soups only in tetra paks!!!

Also microwaving in glass or ceramic is the only way not to let the toxins get into your food!

Only use pans and cook ware that have no T-fal. There is a wonderful cookware out there such as Le Crueset or All clad or even Scan pans from http://www.surlatable.com/?kwid= which are made scratch free and from titanium

Also never ever buy products that have High fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils as a ingredient!
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post #10 of 26
1/17/10 at 10:08am
For years İ considered anything that didn't come ready to eat from a package or can as being inedible.

İ still don't pay attention to the BPA stuff though am perfectly willing to accept that many do. One thing though - İ expect İ will outlive most who get all fired up about the topic of the day. Toxic is not the correct terminology

The pans made from titanium? They are not made from titanium - many or most stainless steels contain a small percentage of titanium as an alloy. İt has excellent heat resistant characteristics. İ expect all manufacturers of similar pans use the same or a very similar material and would no different releases into the food. All-Clad is using 18/10 stainless which is one of the most common types - and yes, it would have a bit (small) of titanium in it.

Also microwaving in glass or ceramic is the only way not to let the toxins get into your food! Any different than the oven or the stove top? İf so, then how?
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post #11 of 26
1/17/10 at 10:31am
One word thrown around a lot is 'toxic'. Most everything is toxic under certain conditions or for some people. Of course certain things are extremely  toxic such as the 100% natural ricin (İ think the spelling is right and İ am not about to go searching for it!).

When scuba diving, pure oxygen is extremely toxic below 6 meters yet life would be a bit difficult without it!
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post #12 of 26
1/17/10 at 10:40pm
 There is a wonderful cookware out there such as Le Crueset or All clad or even Scan pans -
İ looked at the price on those three suppliers - all horribly overpriced! You can find better prices for some at different sites but there are equally good and one heck of a lot cheaper pans out there!


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post #13 of 26
1/18/10 at 5:21am
I have a couple of cast-iron skillets.  They cost a bit more than a lot of other pans on the market, but they were a good investment for me.  With a little care I think they will last for decades.
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post #14 of 26
1/18/10 at 9:14am
it's scan pan and it's excellent.
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post #15 of 26
1/18/10 at 9:16am
A microwave uses waves that have radiation in them...a oven just plain heat...!!!!
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post #16 of 26
1/18/10 at 9:20am

The Dangers of Microwave Radiation

Obviously, the dangers of microwave radiation are very real. These devices can cause a variety of health problems in humans. Here are just a few of the possible health effects² related to microwave ovens:

  • Microwave ovens turn some minerals into cancerous agents.
  • Foods from a microwave can cause tumors in the stomach or intestine. This may be an explanation for the increased rate of colon cancer in America.
  • Regularly eating microwaved foods can cause an increase in cancerous cells in human blood.
  • The radiation dangers involved with microwaved food can cause decreased immune system function in humans.
  • There is even a mental danger to eating foods from a microwave. Regularly doing so can cause memory loss, emotional problems, and a decrease in intelligence.
  • A steady diet of microwave-cooked food can cause your body to shut down its hormones production.

Microwave Radiation is a very serious concern that many people will overlook in order to maintain their toxic paces. Many people have not even heard of the threat of microwave cooking and heating. That doesn't make it any less harmful. In fact, that makes it all the more insidious because there are people in key positions who could bring these dangers to the forefront. As it happens, they don't. So, once again, we must look to ourselves to seek out the answers to make the best decisions that we can. We have the indicators that we need when you consider these: if it's not safe for infants and hospitals, the rest of us should steer clear of it too.

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post #17 of 26
1/18/10 at 9:46am
 You have to be kidding us! You believe this? Anyone believes this?

İ don't believe there is any part of what you wrote that is supported by science or medicine - outside of the wacko variety. The waves that have radiation in them - is that anything to do with surfing?

The reason not many people have heard of it is because it is not real. İ notice you seem to point out a cover up going on?

Nothing wrong with the pans except you can find the same thing for less money than at the fancy sites.
Edited by Russ - 1/18/10 at 10:09am
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post #18 of 26
1/18/10 at 12:51pm
Thread Starter 
Hi Suzanne - welcome to EcoHuddle. About the microwave issue - microwaves, in the far away past did let off a larger amount of waves, but in recent years the FDA has set regulations for microwave ovens and while the FDA of course is not perfect, most studies; if you look up recent scientific studies, show that microwaves are pretty safe.

The FDA notes...

Quote:
At one time there was concern that leakage from microwave ovens could interfere with certain electronic cardiac pacemakers. Similar concerns were raised about pacemaker interference from electric shavers, auto ignition systems, and other electronic products. FDA does not specifically require microwave ovens to carry warnings for people with pacemakers. The problem has been largely resolved because pacemakers are now designed to be shielded against such electrical interference.

They also state...
Quote:

There is little cause for concern about excess microwaves leaking from ovens unless the door hinges, latch, or seals are damaged. In FDA's experience, most ovens tested show little or no detectable microwave leakage. If there is some problem and you believe your oven might be leaking excessive microwaves, contact the oven manufacturer, a microwave oven service organization, your state health department, or the nearest FDA office.

OSHA also has an entire section dedicated to microwave safety noting that old or faulty door seals are the most common causes of microwave radiation leakage. But they also say,

Quote:
Theoretically, there will be small amounts of leakage through the viewing glass but measurements have shown this to be insignificant.

I think in the past, at some point the whole microwaves can kill you issue became somewhat of an urban legend, but in reality microwaves have been greatly improved over the years and are now consider safe by a mass majority of health organizations. CCOHS notes that: 
Quote:
Microwave oven users are often concerned about potential health hazards from the exposure to microwave radiation leakage. With the latest technological advances in door seal design and with proper maintenance, microwave oven leakage has been greatly minimized or eliminated. ...A large amount of literature has been published on the biological effects of microwave radiation. Generally speaking, exposure to very high levels of microwave radiation can result in significant amounts of energy being absorbed by the body. Just as with food, this energy is transformed into heat in the body. Sensitive body parts, such as the eyes, testes and brain, are not able to get rid of the extra heat that may build up. However, the situations where effects of thermal (heat) damage has actually occurred to the eye or brain required long term exposure to very high power densities well in excess of those measured around microwave ovens.

Overall, older microwaves that aren't in top notch condition may pose a small risk, but almost no one buys a microwave built 20 years ago I'd wager. Also newer models are more energy efficient so you should go newer anyhow. As for dishes in the microwave, the whole don't microwave plastic issue may have come up due to an email scam.  Although to be honest, until we know more about BPA (for real) and other stuff that could be let off from plastic when you heat it, I personally avoid microwaving plastics. Although, my thinking is two-fold. Plastics are made with non-renewable resources, so why use plastic anyhow when you can use glass in the microwave. That covers you whether or not you believe plastic lets off harmful gasses when heated.
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post #19 of 26
3/21/11 at 1:22pm

Some of those products I can understand, but to me it seems that every day some study comes out with products, things, activities, foods that are not safe for us. Everything is causing cancer or disease or shortening our life span. I think that if you have a balanced diet and focus on fresh produce as much as possible then you will be ok. It also is not healthy to obsess over every single thing - there will be nothing left to eat!

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post #20 of 26
6/24/11 at 4:47am

microwave ovens are convinient but as they heat from the inside they leech out the vitamins and essential nutrients of the food.They really should be avoided if possible.

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post #21 of 26
6/28/11 at 10:35am

I agree! I have a set of cast iron skillets for 30+ years now. Of course I try others from time to time but I always go back to the cast iron and yes, after 30 years they are just like new.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by captaint View Post

I have a couple of cast-iron skillets.  They cost a bit more than a lot of other pans on the market, but they were a good investment for me.  With a little care I think they will last for decades.


 

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post #22 of 26
6/28/11 at 10:44am

Wise statement I think. Most studies show that practically everything we eat is harmful in some way, it usually just depends on what the FDA in the US has determined to be 'acceptable levels' of the harmful elements.  And you even have to be careful with the fresh produce, lol. Depends on what chemicals were in the fertilizer and what pesticides it was sprayed with.... nothing safe anymore.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by feedme View Post

Some of those products I can understand, but to me it seems that every day some study comes out with products, things, activities, foods that are not safe for us. Everything is causing cancer or disease or shortening our life span. I think that if you have a balanced diet and focus on fresh produce as much as possible then you will be ok. It also is not healthy to obsess over every single thing - there will be nothing left to eat!



 

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post #23 of 26
7/28/11 at 12:02pm

When i was small, we made our own popcorn in the stove out of corn beans. I believe that we should go back to that way of making popcorn since the microwave one has been "forbbiden".

 

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post #24 of 26
7/31/11 at 8:41pm

someone told me that microwave is not safe.   I never eat  Microwave Popcorn.

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post #25 of 26
8/3/11 at 4:04pm

This is totally valid.  Cooking, in general, causes nutrients to be degraded in different ways.  Boiling vegetables could also cause some of the nutrients to be loss - even if heat is the main culprit, I always toss in some brown rice to soak up what i cook out. 

 

I recently started juicing - and I am feeling more better than I have in many years.  That, and the pulp (waste) is great for the compost pile ...

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by brainsmart View Post

microwave ovens are convinient but as they heat from the inside they leech out the vitamins and essential nutrients of the food.They really should be avoided if possible.



 

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post #26 of 26
11/24/12 at 12:28pm
Here are some additions:

• Protein Bars – full of non-organic flavors, sugar and soy.
• White Bread
• Refined WhiteSugar
• Skim Milk
• Farmed Chicken
• Non-organic Yogurt
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