Ultra-Processed Foods

[MichaelJH]

We all know these are bad for us contributing to weight gain and the associated risks. This is a longer read but worth it I think!

dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

[francesw47]

Morning MichaelScary reading. Thanks for posting.

Frances

[ahk59]

Thanks for this,I watched this on TV last nightCertainly makes you think

[Rose54 in reply to ahk59]

Me to What's going to happen to children who grow up being feed that food ?

[RufusScamp]

I would recommend watching the BBC programme from last night. Terrifying. Diabetes and heart problems in younger and younger people, while the representative of the food industry raised a semantic quibble and admitted profit was the first priority.

[Hidden]

It is becoming a real threat to public health in our country. I watched a program about Greggs the other night, what an awful indictment on the way we are living, there was actually some ex store manager saying "What more could you wish for a cheap nutritious and appetising lunch" as he tucked in to his sausage roll followed by a doughnut, honestly!! They just built (another) new McDonalds's locally, It is depressing to see the queues stretching back every day with folks desperate to fill themselves up with crap. I noticed a very overweight schoolgirl standing at the bus stop yesterday, the school she goes to is about 15 mins walk away, what are her parents thinking??

[cowparsley]

Thanks for that Michael,I missed the programme so I was glad to read the article.Read similar views in Dr Rangan Chatterjee`s book.I`d always suspected as much and it is pretty shocking that the food industry is driven by money and to hell with the consequences.I `m fortunate as are my children in that I`ve always cooked from scratch but obesity and related ailments are of great concern.My grandson,aged 6 was slightly overweight and I had to approach the subject tactfully but to my amazement he was weighed at school and a letter sent home suggesting action be taken.Wonderful idea.Won`t work with all parents but it`s a start.

[uzininemm in reply to cowparsley]

Whilst I understand your point in regards to your grandchild, this does not work everytime, my nephew who is now 7 at 6 looked a bit overweight and the school did something similar, considering his mum is a nurse and dad a teacher they were upset by the letter considering both children eat well.They changed nothing, 1 year late he has had a growth spirt and the problem as gone (no change in diet).

One size does not fit all.

[cowparsley in reply to uzininemm]

Yes,I totally agree,one size does not fit all.My grandchildren were eating home cooked food but too many treats.Treats were exchanged for fruit and I have to say,he also had a growth spurt and now he is much more energetic.I think we also have to factor in genetics and body type as his younger sister. was eating the same but remained very slim.Regards Jennifer

[uzininemm in reply to cowparsley]

Thanks Jennifer

it was the same here, his elder brother by 2 years is a beanpole. They still have limited treats (none at all is equally dangerous in my opinion). The point which you have touched on and I missed is exercise, it's important that they really do get that (football and cricket in there case, as well as school), and don't sit playing computer games all the time.

[cowparsley in reply to uzininemm]

Yes their online time is also limited and outdoor activities encouraged.My son is very much into fitness.I'm sure our grandchildren will be perfect!x

[Hidden]

I saw the programme and it was very good, with one exception. He showed some sort of pale vegetable oil alongside other ingredients that are generally used to cook food, and while this is true it should probably be classed as an ultra-processed food.

Most oils made from seeds go through a lot of processing, using heat, industrial solvents, bleaches, deodourising and artificial colours to make the product on the shelf. They are highly inflmmatory for two reasons - firstly they are very high in Omega 6, which are inflammatory in high doses and most of us are already getting too many. Secondly, they are high in polyunsaturates which oxidise incredibly easily and do a lot of damage to our bodies.

Skip the vegetable oils (sunflower, rapeseed, canola, crisp-n-dry, vegetable, etc) and stick to olive oil for salads, and coconut oil, avocado oil, butter or animal fats for cooking.

[Curlyman83]

Unfortunately, this is the absolute norm. It’s cheap AND convenient…I mean, what parent want to come home from a 12 hour shift earning minimum wage and then cook a full meal from scratch? Not to mention the millions of people who simply cannot cook due to not being taught how to.

Back in the day, my dad’s wages would cover household bills which left mum at home able to prep food - we always ate really well, and healthily.

There’s no way we could afford for me to stay at home and allow the wife’s wages cover the family cost of living…and when I get home, I’m so dog tired, banging something in the oven is only option.

Sunday is the only day we really get to sit down and have a proper home cooked meal - and even that’s in jeopardy now due to rising inflation.

[MONIREN]

That was such an eye opener, we know most of those things, but to see actual photos and scans. The words industrially modified, scary. We eat meals made from scratch, rarely add anything, we still struggle with health problems, looks like there are still changes to be made, like mindful eating. We are regional Australia, in a town 65,000, we are known to be the fatest town in Australia, yet they just built 4th McDonald's, more and more fast food joints added. We have a high rate of obesity health problems here, heart disease, diabetes, no wonder. Education is the key, but teaching children might not help, they are not the ones choosing groceries. Wish more could see this program, not sure if was here in Australia. Thank you. Take care. Moni