10 common American foods that are banned elsewhere

[lightworker888]

Thought this might help some people in the food choices they make.

10 Common US Foods That Are Banned in Other Countries (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/07/10/banned-foods.aspx?e_cid=20130710_PRNL_art_1&utm_source=prmrnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20130710)


LW888

[jimbo2012]

good post

[mickey100]

Thanks for posting!

[Villages PL]

Wild vs. Farm Raised Salmon | What is healthier? | Is Farmed or Wild Salmon better? (http://eatwildsalmon.com/wild-farm-raised-salmon)

Sea lice is a common (potentially fatal) problem for farmed salmon. Whenever this problem is detected, farms add pesticide (emamectin benzoate) to the feed.

Farmed fish are also fatter because they are "marine couch potatoes."

Too, having more fat means they likely store more toxins like PCBs. For more information on that, use the link above.

[Villages PL]

Thought this might help some people in the food choices they make.

10 Common US Foods That Are Banned in Other Countries (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/07/10/banned-foods.aspx?e_cid=20130710_PRNL_art_1&utm_source=prmrnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20130710)


LW888

On the link you provided, Mercola advertises whole Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Fillet for $96.00 but there's no mention of weight. It looks like it might weigh 2 or 3 pounds. $96. seems like a lot of money to pay when you don't know how much you'll get for the money.

[TrudyM]

Thought this might help some people in the food choices they make.

10 Common US Foods That Are Banned in Other Countries (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/07/10/banned-foods.aspx?e_cid=20130710_PRNL_art_1&utm_source=prmrnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20130710)


LW888

OK no meat, no chicken, no salmon, no milk, no rolls. Then there is pestisides on the veggies. Why don't I just turn up my toes now.

[lightworker888]

Trudy, It doesn't say no meat or chicken or veggies,etc. it is that you need to opt for grassfed rather than grain fed beef, organic chicken and free range if possible and check the source of the veggies. There is a list of which fruits and veggies are sprayed most and which are ok without having to look for organic. I tend to choose organic for all as that saves me trying to remember. I do remember that apples and berries and cherries are the most sprayed of the fruit.

It does mean rethinking your shopping list and reading more labels, but overall, it hasn't increased the cost much as organic is becoming much more accessible.

We have also reduced/eliminated our grain and sugar consumption and eliminated wheat which has been much more of a challenge. But it has been a worthwhile shift health wise.

Here is the link to the list of what to buy organically.

Top Fruits and Veggies to Buy Organic | Gaiam Life (http://life.gaiam.com/article/top-fruits-and-veggies-buy-organic)


LW888

[rubicon]

Trudy, It doesn't say no meat or chicken or veggies,etc. it is that you need to opt for grassfed rather than grain fed beef, organic chicken and free range if possible and check the source of the veggies. There is a list of which fruits and veggies are sprayed most and which are ok without having to look for organic. I tend to choose organic for all as that saves me trying to remember. I do remember that apples and berries and cherries are the most sprayed of the fruit.

It does mean rethinking your shopping list and reading more labels, but overall, it hasn't increased the cost much as organic is becoming much more accessible.

We have also reduced/eliminated our grain and sugar consumption and eliminated wheat which has been much more of a challenge. But it has been a worthwhile shift health wise.

Here is the link to the list of what to buy organically.

Top Fruits and Veggies to Buy Organic | Gaiam Life (http://life.gaiam.com/article/top-fruits-and-veggies-buy-organic)


LW888

lghtworker888: I may be wrong where published but I believe it was the WSJ that carried an article wherein the author stated their was absolutely no benefit from eating organic foods and hence it did not justify the increase prices.

I do not know if this information is true or untrue. I do not pass judgment on anyone nor do I take issue with anyone's personal dietary preferences. However, the continuing contradictions by experts leaves me confused and skeptical about any claims made for the type of foods we eat , how it is raised or grown, vitamins , supplements, etc.

If I took to heart all of what experts claim is good/bad I suspect I would die of starvation or dehydration. And since I am advanced in age I suspect that whatever I do for the remaining years isn't going to do any more harm than I already have up to this point in my life.

[Polar Bear]

...I do not know if this information is true or untrue. I do not pass judgment on anyone nor do I take issue with anyone's personal dietary preferences. However, the continuing contradictions by experts leaves me...skeptical about any claims made for the type of foods we eat...

If I took to heart all of what experts claim is good/bad I suspect I would die of starvation...

Pretty much sums up my feelings. :^)

[eweissenbach]

lghtworker888: I may be wrong where published but I believe it was the WSJ that carried an article wherein the author stated their was absolutely no benefit from eating organic foods and hence it did not justify the increase prices.

I do not know if this information is true or untrue. I do not pass judgment on anyone nor do I take issue with anyone's personal dietary preferences. However, the continuing contradictions by experts leaves me confused and skeptical about any claims made for the type of foods we eat , how it is raised or grown, vitamins , supplements, etc.

If I took to heart all of what experts claim is good/bad I suspect I would die of starvation or dehydration. And since I am advanced in age I suspect that whatever I do for the remaining years isn't going to do any more harm than I already have up to this point in my life.

:agree:I have said basically the same thing in the past rubi, but not nearly as well. :bowdown:

[lightworker888]

I guess that I don't feel good about knowingly adding more toxicity for my body to have to handle by ingesting sprays and additives etc. that we know are being added to our foods either through the feed or by spraying. I know that by choosing organic and grassfed beef and local free range chicken and wild caught fish, I can feel that at least I am fuelling myself with food that is easier on my body systems. I don't have to have all the tests to prove to me that local (doesn't travel as far) sources and non foodlot or farmed sources are better for health. But then everyone has to prioritize their time energy and resources in whatever way works for them. This works for us and has evolved over time.

BTW I choose local if I know that they don't spray. It doesn't have to be the USDA label. In fact I am leery of that label as there are so many old Monsanto persons on that board now.


Be well

LW888

[graciegirl]

lghtworker888: I may be wrong where published but I believe it was the WSJ that carried an article wherein the author stated their was absolutely no benefit from eating organic foods and hence it did not justify the increase prices.

I do not know if this information is true or untrue. I do not pass judgment on anyone nor do I take issue with anyone's personal dietary preferences. However, the continuing contradictions by experts leaves me confused and skeptical about any claims made for the type of foods we eat , how it is raised or grown, vitamins , supplements, etc.

If I took to heart all of what experts claim is good/bad I suspect I would die of starvation or dehydration. And since I am advanced in age I suspect that whatever I do for the remaining years isn't going to do any more harm than I already have up to this point in my life.


That is how I look at it too.

[Villages PL]

lghtworker888: I may be wrong where published but I believe it was the WSJ that carried an article wherein the author stated their was absolutely no benefit from eating organic foods and hence it did not justify the increase prices.

I do not know if this information is true or untrue. I do not pass judgment on anyone nor do I take issue with anyone's personal dietary preferences. However, the continuing contradictions by experts leaves me confused and skeptical about any claims made for the type of foods we eat , how it is raised or grown, vitamins , supplements, etc.

If I took to heart all of what experts claim is good/bad I suspect I would die of starvation or dehydration. And since I am advanced in age I suspect that whatever I do for the remaining years isn't going to do any more harm than I already have up to this point in my life.

I like to participate in sports whenever I get the chance but I'm not a fan of professional sports. So, to me, whether it's football, basketball or baseball, all the teams are the same. I don't see any difference between one football team and another. If you've seen one, you've seen them all.

I suppose that's the way a lot of people feel about the food they eat. Hey! What's the big deal? Food is food; it's all the same. Find something you like, eat it and be done with it. But unlike sports teams, food, in the long run, can have an important effect on one's health, for better or worse.

As far as being advance in age, that is precisely when good nutrition counts most. As a general rule, our immune system gets weaker and weaker as we age. So we become more and more susceptable to diseases and viruses etc.. That might explain why supercentenarians often die of pneumonia.

Right about now someone will say that we have to die of something; we can't live forever. Yes, that's true, but my point is that most people want to enjoy good health for as long as possible. And the only way I know of to do that is to pay some attention and try to live a healthy lifestyle.

They did a study where they asked young people how long they wanted to live. I don't remember the exact results but it went something like this: Young people would say that they wanted to live to 70 or 75 because they thought it was very very old. But when they asked retired people how long they wanted to live, they would say 80 to 85. And people in their early eighties would say that they wanted to live to 90. Well, you see where this is going. No one ever reaches the point where they say they want to die now. They always want more time. (This assumes the person doesn't have some painful terminal disease.) And if they always want more time, I assume they would like it to be in good health.

[Villages PL]

lghtworker888: I may be wrong where published but I believe it was the WSJ that carried an article wherein the author stated their was absolutely no benefit from eating organic foods and hence it did not justify the increase prices.

I do not know if this information is true or untrue.

I got so carried away on one train of thought I forgot to address the above concern. There is some truth to what you read in the WSJ. That's why I don't believe in spending a lot of extra money on organic fruits and vegetables. Most of the time I don't buy any. Although, I will stay away from certain things like strawberries, cherries, corn etc..

Some items like carrots contain natural pesticides put there by nature. So we'll get some of that whether we like it or not; but we can handle it. Here's what can happen with organically grown vegetables: Without pesticides, bugs might start to nibble and when they do, the plant responds by increasing the amount of its natural pesticides. It's amazing how a plant would know how to do that but that's what they found by testing different plants.

[rayschic]

On the link you provided, Mercola advertises whole Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Fillet for $96.00 but there's no mention of weight. It looks like it might weigh 2 or 3 pounds. $96. seems like a lot of money to pay when you don't know how much you'll get for the money.

When you click on Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Fillet, it will give you a description. Last line says you will get at least 4.5 pounds of salmon.

[Indydealmaker]

I subscribe to the theory (my own) that our bodies have evolved over many years to not only tolerate, but to thrive on the chemicals. It is the deletion from our diets of some of these chemicals that is killing us. Bring back DDT!

[Villages PL]

I subscribe to the theory (my own) that our bodies have evolved over many years to not only tolerate, but to thrive on the chemicals. It is the deletion from our diets of some of these chemicals that is killing us. Bring back DDT!

I don't think DDT ever went away completely. According to a book I read about 4 or 5 years ago, they can still find traces of it in beef. My father told me that, many years ago, people used to buy DDT by the bag and throw handfuls of it around the perimiter of the house as a means to keep flees and ticks under control.

I think the main problem might have been with certain wildlife creatures being sensitive to it. Also, I think it could be toxic to humans at some level. If it keeps building up -evidently it doesn't seem to break down over several decades- it could get to the point where it becomes a problem.

[Polar Bear]

...food, in the long run, can have an important effect on one's health, for better or worse...

Of course it can. I don't think many here question that. But which studies, experts, etc., do you base your lifestyle on? I think considering them all, adding a grain of salt, and then eating accordingly, is a reasonable path.

[casita37]

Think about it this way...say you have a nice fresh bowl of organic peaches, all cut up and ready to enjoy. Someone gives you a small amount of Round-UP and says to spray it on your peaches. Would you do it? Of course not!

We eat organic as much as possible, and some things we just skip if we can't get organic, like peaches...If we go to YOUR house for dinner, we gladly eat what you serve (and enjoy it), and if we go to a restaurant, we enjoy that, too. We do try to order wisely, but it's not always possible. That's what we consider "in moderation". Just seems to me, when it comes to our health, there are so many things we can't control. Why not, at least, eat as well as we can. That we can control. I, for one, am convinced organic is better, and I tend not to trust study results when big business (read Monsanto, et al) stand to profit from the results.

[Polar Bear]

Think about it this way...say you have a nice fresh bowl of organic peaches, all cut up and ready to enjoy. Someone gives you a small amount of Round-UP and says to spray it on your peaches. Would you do it? Of course not...

If it were that simple, there would be no discussion.

...I, for one, am convinced organic is better, and I tend not to trust study results when big business (read Monsanto, et al) stand to profit from the results...

I, for one, am convinced it would be very difficult to find a study where nobody stands to profit from the results.

[lightworker888]

Casita, you have stated it so well. That's my idea of moderation too. We control what we can based on our idea of what would be a good choice for us. We still enjoy eating and find lots to eat both in and out of the house that fits our criteria most of the time.

LW888

[lightworker888]

I am not debating about Mercola. I just know that things I have learned from his website (like the importance of VitD) many years before they became mainstream have shown me time and again that he has a great research team and he does interviews with the pioneers in the field. I have bought some products from him but I usually purchase elsewhere after checking out the sources and comparing information.

There is a huge difference between synthetic astaxathin and naturally sourced astaxathin as there is with any synthetic vs naturally occurring supplement. I heard about its benefits from Mercola a number of years ago and have taken it ever since.

Before he created his store Mercola was funding the website himself but as it grew and he stopped his medical practice to expand the website, he needed to fund it in order to continue to do the research and spread the info that was growing exponentially. It became his life's work to get the truthful information out to as many as possible and that is when he started developing products that he believes are the best he can get, to support the many people who do order from him, based on the research he has done so thoroughly. He uses all the things himself first, sometimes for a year or two to prove the value to himself before marketing it.

I do find that there is an "extremist" sense to his articles, but I search for the grain of truth that I always find in them. In fact some of the earlier articles that I thought were extreme have proven to be quite moderate now that even more info is out.

And it really boils down to what info resonates with you and makes sense to you and feels right. That is all that you really have to go on regardless of the source. JMHO

LW888

[Villages PL]

Of course it can. I don't think many here question that. But which studies, experts, etc., do you base your lifestyle on? I think considering them all, adding a grain of salt, and then eating accordingly, is a reasonable path.

I can't disagree with that. We do our homework and then we do the best we can to follow what we think is right.

[lightworker888]

Polar Bear and VPL

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/images/smilies/agree.gif

LW888

[lightworker888]

Yeh I read that today too. We use Krill oil for Omega 3, not fish oils, and I am careful about the source. It seems to be a good supplement for us so we are continuing to use it. Haven't used fish oil for some time. Also read that the study was not really a big picture study so don't know if it really holds much weight. There are so many other factors that weren't considered when choosing the criteria.

LW888

[Villages PL]

Yeh I read that today too. We use Krill oil for Omega 3, not fish oils, and I am careful about the source. It seems to be a good supplement for us so we are continuing to use it. Haven't used fish oil for some time. Also read that the study was not really a big picture study so don't know if it really holds much weight. There are so many other factors that weren't considered when choosing the criteria.

LW888

I did some reading today about omega-3 and omega-6 from various sources. And here's my conclusion, for whatever it's worth: Omega-3 isn't bad or good and omega-6 isn't bad or good per se. It's the balance between the two that is important. Too much of either one, when one far outweighs the other, is likely to put one at higher risk for cancer. I believe the best way to achieve a healthy balance between the two is by eating natural whole foods.

Avoiding what is unnatural: Any animal that is grain-fed will be high in omega-6, and that includes farm raised (grain-fed) fish. If one can avoid eating a high protein diet consisting of grain-fed animals, then it's much less likely that omega-3 (unnatural)supplements will be needed to bring balance.

Then consider this question: Being that the meat from grain-fed animals is high in omega-6, will we become high in omega-6 by eating a lot of grain? I've never heard or read of anyone saying that but it seems logical. If it's true, then we probably should limit grains to about 3 or 4 servings per day. That's what I have always recommended.

[rubicon]

Everyone has been going gung-ho over Omega-3, but a recent study shows that Omega-3 increases men's chances of prostate cancer by 71%. Older studies show it's not the panacea it is touted to be.

PCRM | Omega-3 Fatty Acids Linked to Prostate Cancer Risk (http://www.pcrm.org/media/blog/apr2011/omega-3-fatty-acids-linked-to-prostate-cancer-risk)

See here we go again experts calling other experts opinions incorrect. The fact is people are living longer but not healthier. The pivotal question is why genetics, lifestyle, diet, personality or all of the preceding?

Secondly, how can we be sure foods claims are as advertised. The FDA isn't infallible and obviously neither are experts as they continue to reframe their claims. Polar Bear was spot on with the profit motive. People have been selling snake oil since the beginning of mankind.

Third, as with every issue it cuts as much as it kicks. So while proponents advance the benefits they may not, intentional or otherwise, speak to the unhealthy side effects or the fact of how much has to be consumed to attain nirvana or oblivion.

Too often the success of a product, health claim ,etc reflects the singer and not the song

[Villages PL]

DDT is still used in Third World countries. It seems they'd rather risk eating a suspected carcinogen than die by the millions from malaria. Go figure. :rolleyes:

WHO Backs Use of DDT Against Malaria : NPR (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6083944)

Thanks for posting that information, it was interesting.

About 50 years ago I visited the Yukatan peninsula in Mexico. I was told that there were malaria mosquitos there. What I found is that the mosquitos were not a problem during the day. They came out looking for blood at night. As long as you were awake and moving around they were not much of a threat. I don't recall anyone being too worried about it.

I don't know about today but it seems that homes back then didn't have screened windows and doors. So at night everyone slept under mosquito nets. It was a very simple and inexpensive solution to the problem.

[Villages PL]

I wasn't talking about Mexico. I was speaking about Africa.

Are the mosquitos different in Africa?

I believe the article said they are mostly using DDT indoors. Why do that when you can use a fly swatter and mosquito netting?