every food group is "bad for you"!
coruscatti
Posts: 81
As I have been losing weight I have also been trying to optimize my diet. During the week I want to eat pretty much the same thing every day except for dinner. That way I don't really have to think about food.
Here's the problem I've been having. As I research foods, it seems like every food has some claim as to why it's bad for you. Nuts, legumes, and grains are high in phytic acid which apparently binds to iron, magnesium, and calcium so they cannot be absorbed by your body. Now they're saying eating more dairy gives you a HIGHER risk of osteoporosis and that it can also give you cancer, and mess with your hormones, and that dairy is unnatural and so forth. Soy products of course give you cancer and make your estrogen levels too high (I have actually noticed an effect when I ate too much soy in the past). Grains...you've got the gluten-free people telling you that gluten is a poison. And of course any high-carb food people are going to be saying how "carbs are just sugar," glycemic index this and that, blah blah blah. If all these health claims are true it's like you really can't win. What are you supposed to eat?
Weirdly enough the only foods that I don't see people side-eyeing that much (other than vegetables) are lean meats! Personally I only have meat maybe once or twice a week...it's a hassle to prepare and I also try to limit my meat consumption for personal reasons. Therefore my main protein comes from legumes, nuts, and dairy, which everyone seems to be up in arms about.
So I guess I just need some advice...are these foods really that bad or is this just fear-mongering from people obsessed with paleo/gluten-free/dairy-free/etc.?
Here's the problem I've been having. As I research foods, it seems like every food has some claim as to why it's bad for you. Nuts, legumes, and grains are high in phytic acid which apparently binds to iron, magnesium, and calcium so they cannot be absorbed by your body. Now they're saying eating more dairy gives you a HIGHER risk of osteoporosis and that it can also give you cancer, and mess with your hormones, and that dairy is unnatural and so forth. Soy products of course give you cancer and make your estrogen levels too high (I have actually noticed an effect when I ate too much soy in the past). Grains...you've got the gluten-free people telling you that gluten is a poison. And of course any high-carb food people are going to be saying how "carbs are just sugar," glycemic index this and that, blah blah blah. If all these health claims are true it's like you really can't win. What are you supposed to eat?
Weirdly enough the only foods that I don't see people side-eyeing that much (other than vegetables) are lean meats! Personally I only have meat maybe once or twice a week...it's a hassle to prepare and I also try to limit my meat consumption for personal reasons. Therefore my main protein comes from legumes, nuts, and dairy, which everyone seems to be up in arms about.
So I guess I just need some advice...are these foods really that bad or is this just fear-mongering from people obsessed with paleo/gluten-free/dairy-free/etc.?
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Replies
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Fear mongering. Also, eat your meat.
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There are truths to some of the things you said.
Nuts, legumes and grains should be soaked to remove phytic acid.
Eating a lot of dairy say 20% of your diet was shown to likely cause cancer but 5% was fine.
Soy is estrogenic, disrupts hormones and I believe it shouldn't be eaten unless fermented.
There is nothing wrong with gluten if you don't have a sensitivity.
For optimum health you should eat fruits and vegetables, fish, grass fed meat, organic eggs, soaked beans, soaked nuts, soaked grains, and soaked seeds.-1 -
If you feel good eating only eating meat once or twice a week, and getting you main protein from legumes and nuts and dairy, then just eat that way! Your body will let you know if it's wrong for you. Every week on the news, there's an item about the evils of one food or another. Funny thing is that a month later, the same foods are being touted as a "must eat". If we listened to all of this bull, we'd never eat another bite. Give yourself a break!0
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TheDevastator wrote: »There are truths to some of the things you said.
Nuts, legumes and grains should be soaked to remove phytic acid.
Eating a lot of dairy say 20% of your diet was shown to likely cause cancer but 5% was fine.
Soy is estrogenic, disrupts hormones and I believe it shouldn't be eaten unless fermented.
There is nothing wrong with gluten if you don't have a sensitivity.
For optimum health you should eat fruits and vegetables, fish, grass fed meat, organic eggs, soaked beans, soaked nuts, soaked grains, and soaked seeds.
Can you please link the research that says that?0 -
OP, its basically fear mongering. Many of us buy it. I just left a thread where they said that rice has poison in it or something. If that were the case, China wouldn't have more than 1 billion population there.
Just eat everything in moderation. Keep excitement in your life and jazz up your plate. Don't live to eat but at the same time, realize that food has potential to brighten up your day with its taste. moderation is the key0 -
OP, its basically fear mongering. Many of us buy it. I just left a thread where they said that rice has poison in it or something. If that were the case, China wouldn't have more than 1 billion population there.
Just eat everything in moderation. Keep excitement in your life and jazz up your plate. Don't live to eat but at the same time, realize that food has potential to brighten up your day with its taste. moderation is the key
It's not fear mongering, it's the truth. Rice has arsenic in it. The truth is most if not all foods have some type of toxin even if it's in parts per million.0 -
TheDevastator wrote: »There are truths to some of the things you said.
Nuts, legumes and grains should be soaked to remove phytic acid.
Eating a lot of dairy say 20% of your diet was shown to likely cause cancer but 5% was fine.
Soy is estrogenic, disrupts hormones and I believe it shouldn't be eaten unless fermented.
There is nothing wrong with gluten if you don't have a sensitivity.
For optimum health you should eat fruits and vegetables, fish, grass fed meat, organic eggs, soaked beans, soaked nuts, soaked grains, and soaked seeds.
Can you please link the research that says that?
It was in "Forks over Knives" from the book "The China Study".0 -
TheDevastator wrote: »OP, its basically fear mongering. Many of us buy it. I just left a thread where they said that rice has poison in it or something. If that were the case, China wouldn't have more than 1 billion population there.
Just eat everything in moderation. Keep excitement in your life and jazz up your plate. Don't live to eat but at the same time, realize that food has potential to brighten up your day with its taste. moderation is the key
It's not fear mongering, it's the truth. Rice has arsenic in it. The truth is most if not all foods have some type of toxin even if it's in parts per million.
So how come I'm not dead yet? Huh? I've been eating rice since day one. :huh: Or the other foods that the OP mentioned haven't killed or sickened me. Even on my so called "diet" I continue to eat ALL FOODS. Why am I not dead? Huh? :huh:
Because...
It is fear mongering. OP, please enjoy food in moderation. Don't listen to this guy's DEVASTATING advice. :noway:0 -
Basically what it comes down to for most things is that eating it in excess of moderation is what causes any of the negative effects that people discuss, unless you have an allergy or sensitivity to it to start.
Now, there is *some* merit to being concerned about the SOURCE of your dairy and such. This is because, depending on the source, you will be getting higher traces of things from the cattle or farms themselves. Typically, though not necessarily by rule, the foods that are cheaper are more likely to contain these things... Just meaning that the reason some foods are as cheap as they are in bargain brands is because they are the lower grade chuff of the other stuff.
Soy is estrogenic, but it's not excessively so if used in moderation. Meaning, if you eat it as commonly as you eat meat, you're unlikely to experience hormonal problems. People who have these issues are typically those that use soy products as a primary source, and not just for "protein" replacement. You have to remember that someone hardcore about soy for vegetarian reasons, for example, not only uses it for their burger patty, but also for the cheese on said patty, and sometimes even for the mayonnaise and bun. This potentially quadruples the exposure, as compared to someone who enjoys tofu on occasion.
Dairy is a concerning part not so much about the milk, as what has been found in the milk... anything from pus to antibiotics. While pasteurized, the source can determine the likelihood of these things getting in there... and while many would like to argue that organic farms don't have these problems, that's not necessarily true. I opt for almond milk because it has more calcium and protein, without the risk of that crap.
Same with meats. They grade meat for a reason. Cheaper meats at the store are more likely to have imperfections and impurities, hence their lower grade. Educating oneself on these grades and what they mean can help them make better choices regarding what to buy, and how to prepare what they buy.
Ultimately though, the problems come with imbalance and/or excess. All things in moderation, including aspartame, sugar, gluten, carbs, fats, etc etc etc are generally fine. Going overboard is what causes problems... Heck, even drinking water to excess can be hazardous, even fatal.
The point of educating about these properties is to understand why balance is important. You don't want to eat so much of something that you cause yourself problems.
It's kind of like how so many people will think taking vitamin supplements is no big deal, and that their body will process out what it doesn't need. Everything has its place, and understanding what eating this, taking that will do inside your body is a major part of understanding how to eat healthfully.0 -
Lasmartchika wrote: »So how come I'm not dead yet? Huh? I've been eating rice since day one. :huh:
It is fear mongering. OP, please enjoy food in moderation.
It's in really low amounts parts per million or billion and micrograms per serving. It shouldn't hurt you in those amounts.
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TheDevastator wrote: »TheDevastator wrote: »There are truths to some of the things you said.
Nuts, legumes and grains should be soaked to remove phytic acid.
Eating a lot of dairy say 20% of your diet was shown to likely cause cancer but 5% was fine.
Soy is estrogenic, disrupts hormones and I believe it shouldn't be eaten unless fermented.
There is nothing wrong with gluten if you don't have a sensitivity.
For optimum health you should eat fruits and vegetables, fish, grass fed meat, organic eggs, soaked beans, soaked nuts, soaked grains, and soaked seeds.
Can you please link the research that says that?
It was in "Forks over Knives" from the book "The China Study".
That unfortunately doesn't really sound like research. Just like me saying "Richard Simmons is a beautiful woman". I might believe it to be true but the proper research and paper done for it is non-existing and thus my statement cannot be trusted. I think we, as people who are here trying to give advice should arm ourselves with better source of information. Here is a better start on how to make proper claims:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10025099/guide-to-making-claims-based-on-research0 -
You have to eat in moderation. Eating too much is not good. You have to maintain a balanced diet to keep your body in its stable state. It may be fact or mongering, by the end of the day, we are still responsible for what we take in our body.0
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All food has some poison in it, but not enough to harm you, at least not if you "spread the risk" and eat som from every food group every day. Not talking about intolerances and allergies.0
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TheDevastator wrote: »It was in "Forks over Knives" from the book "The China Study".
Ugh, the "China Study" was a big pile of BS.
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Oh well if cheese and bacon are going to kill me at least I will die happy
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There are millions of healthy people that eat soy every day. There are millions of healthy people that eat legumes and grains every day. There are millions of healthy people that eat meat every day. There are millions of healthy people that eat dairy every day.
How you balance your diet, how much you eat and how active you are will do more to determine health than cutting out certain foods or food groups.0 -
Arsenic in Food: FAQ
How arsenic gets into foods, and what it means for you.
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/arsenic-food-faq
That being shared, EAT RICE!0 -
The lesson to learn here is "everything in moderation". Too much of anything can be a bad thing. Also, many of the studies that many people stand on to make their health food decisions are based only on correlation. In other words, a direct link between food A and outcome B has not actually been established. Use your best judgment about what to eat and try to have a varied diet as many foods can mitigate the harmful effects of other foods. For example, protein is less challenging for the liver when accompanied by a carb.0
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If we listen to all the different diet "camps" as to what we should and shouldn't be eating we would be left with nothing to eat. Even the air and water are polluted0
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Is sex still good for you?0
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We should just quit eating.....My brother is a 3 time cancer survivor, read the china study and is a vegan. (10years) It has not prevented it from coming back but he believes that it has helped it come back less aggressive each time. Sure there is crap in our food....I wish there wasn't, but there is. Eat the way you want to eat, In the end, You have to do what you are comfortable with, forget what others think.0
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coruscatti wrote: »As I have been losing weight I have also been trying to optimize my diet. During the week I want to eat pretty much the same thing every day except for dinner. That way I don't really have to think about food.
Here's the problem I've been having. As I research foods, it seems like every food has some claim as to why it's bad for you. Nuts, legumes, and grains are high in phytic acid which apparently binds to iron, magnesium, and calcium so they cannot be absorbed by your body. Now they're saying eating more dairy gives you a HIGHER risk of osteoporosis and that it can also give you cancer, and mess with your hormones, and that dairy is unnatural and so forth. Soy products of course give you cancer and make your estrogen levels too high (I have actually noticed an effect when I ate too much soy in the past). Grains...you've got the gluten-free people telling you that gluten is a poison. And of course any high-carb food people are going to be saying how "carbs are just sugar," glycemic index this and that, blah blah blah. If all these health claims are true it's like you really can't win. What are you supposed to eat?
Weirdly enough the only foods that I don't see people side-eyeing that much (other than vegetables) are lean meats! Personally I only have meat maybe once or twice a week...it's a hassle to prepare and I also try to limit my meat consumption for personal reasons. Therefore my main protein comes from legumes, nuts, and dairy, which everyone seems to be up in arms about.
So I guess I just need some advice...are these foods really that bad or is this just fear-mongering from people obsessed with paleo/gluten-free/dairy-free/etc.?
Its a bit of truth and mainly fear mongering.
Take your phytic acid for a start, its true that humans don't process phytic acid well and yes it does bind some minerals to it stopping those minerals getting processed by the body, but on the flip side it's not massive amounts and phytic acid has been shown to help prevent and work in slowing the onset of cancer!
Gluten is a whole different issue and one that people maybe jump on the band wagon about. If you feel fine eating gluten - eat it. If you've tried cutting it out of your diet and feel better for it then cut it. You don't need need gluten in your diet, but if you have no ill effects to eating it then you don't need to cut it from your diet either.
As far as meat goes - eat meat and if its good quality meat - don't waste the best bit, keep the fat on. It's saturated fat and its damn good for you!
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Lasmartchika wrote: »TheDevastator wrote: »OP, its basically fear mongering. Many of us buy it. I just left a thread where they said that rice has poison in it or something. If that were the case, China wouldn't have more than 1 billion population there.
Just eat everything in moderation. Keep excitement in your life and jazz up your plate. Don't live to eat but at the same time, realize that food has potential to brighten up your day with its taste. moderation is the key
It's not fear mongering, it's the truth. Rice has arsenic in it. The truth is most if not all foods have some type of toxin even if it's in parts per million.
So how come I'm not dead yet? Huh? I've been eating rice since day one. :huh: Or the other foods that the OP mentioned haven't killed or sickened me. Even on my so called "diet" I continue to eat ALL FOODS. Why am I not dead? Huh? :huh:
Because...
It is fear mongering. OP, please enjoy food in moderation. Don't listen to this guy's DEVASTATING advice. :noway:
Rice does have arsenic. You can eat it and not die because you have organs that remove it from your system.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/01/how-much-arsenic-is-in-your-rice/index.htm
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/Metals/ucm319948.htm0 -
which is exactly why it's fear mongering.TheDevastator wrote: »OP, its basically fear mongering. Many of us buy it. I just left a thread where they said that rice has poison in it or something. If that were the case, China wouldn't have more than 1 billion population there.
Just eat everything in moderation. Keep excitement in your life and jazz up your plate. Don't live to eat but at the same time, realize that food has potential to brighten up your day with its taste. moderation is the key
It's not fear mongering, it's the truth. Rice has arsenic in it. The truth is most if not all foods have some type of toxin even if it's in parts per million.
When you start talking ppm and the "threshholds" for those- even a certain amount of say- insect is allowed to be passed in ppm.
it's such a negligible amount if you put real stock into all those "toxin's" in our food- you'd be eating nothing. not even breathing- because there are all sorts of potential carcinogens in the air too.
At some point you have to get over it and feed your body to survive and thrive.0 -
When we eat dairy we do not consume milk but we do eat cheese, sour cream, yogurt, butter, kefir, and cottage cheese. Not all of them all the time. We buy ones rhat do not add in hormones. The fam uses soy milk, almond or coconut. Hes a veg. So he eats lots of soy products which I found out I don't tolerate too well so I just cut back I eat the tofu and noodles once every couple weeks and don't eat any fake meat products now. Nuts. I eat them in moderation and legumes too. I eat fish and chicken and grassfed beef when I can get it. Lots of eggs hormone free antibiotics free. I try to eat lots of fruit and veg as I can. Mainly I had to up my meat consumption as I stopped eating all the fake food unless there is nothing else to eat.0
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A single study or even a handful of crappily done studies mean nothing except maybe that someone couldn't be bothered to do their thesis properly
Moderation. That's it. Eat what you want, except maybe dirt or something... but do it in moderation. If you eat 10lbs of nuts of day, I'm sure there will be a problem but a 1/4 cup here and there provides heathly fats and nutrients. 0 -
TheDevastator wrote: »OP, its basically fear mongering. Many of us buy it. I just left a thread where they said that rice has poison in it or something. If that were the case, China wouldn't have more than 1 billion population there.
Just eat everything in moderation. Keep excitement in your life and jazz up your plate. Don't live to eat but at the same time, realize that food has potential to brighten up your day with its taste. moderation is the key
It's not fear mongering, it's the truth. Rice has arsenic in it. The truth is most if not all foods have some type of toxin even if it's in parts per million.
No...it is fear mongering...why even bring it up if it's PPM...it's stupid and it's fear mongering plain and simple.
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Basically what it comes down to for most things is that eating it in excess of moderation is what causes any of the negative effects that people discuss, unless you have an allergy or sensitivity to it to start.
Now, there is *some* merit to being concerned about the SOURCE of your dairy and such. This is because, depending on the source, you will be getting higher traces of things from the cattle or farms themselves. Typically, though not necessarily by rule, the foods that are cheaper are more likely to contain these things... Just meaning that the reason some foods are as cheap as they are in bargain brands is because they are the lower grade chuff of the other stuff.
Soy is estrogenic, but it's not excessively so if used in moderation. Meaning, if you eat it as commonly as you eat meat, you're unlikely to experience hormonal problems. People who have these issues are typically those that use soy products as a primary source, and not just for "protein" replacement. You have to remember that someone hardcore about soy for vegetarian reasons, for example, not only uses it for their burger patty, but also for the cheese on said patty, and sometimes even for the mayonnaise and bun. This potentially quadruples the exposure, as compared to someone who enjoys tofu on occasion.
Dairy is a concerning part not so much about the milk, as what has been found in the milk... anything from pus to antibiotics. While pasteurized, the source can determine the likelihood of these things getting in there... and while many would like to argue that organic farms don't have these problems, that's not necessarily true. I opt for almond milk because it has more calcium and protein, without the risk of that crap.
Same with meats. They grade meat for a reason. Cheaper meats at the store are more likely to have imperfections and impurities, hence their lower grade. Educating oneself on these grades and what they mean can help them make better choices regarding what to buy, and how to prepare what they buy.
Ultimately though, the problems come with imbalance and/or excess. All things in moderation, including aspartame, sugar, gluten, carbs, fats, etc etc etc are generally fine. Going overboard is what causes problems... Heck, even drinking water to excess can be hazardous, even fatal.
The point of educating about these properties is to understand why balance is important. You don't want to eat so much of something that you cause yourself problems.
It's kind of like how so many people will think taking vitamin supplements is no big deal, and that their body will process out what it doesn't need. Everything has its place, and understanding what eating this, taking that will do inside your body is a major part of understanding how to eat healthfully.
This is perhaps the sanest thing I've ever read. Truth, reason, and sanity all around.
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