7 Foods That Should Never Cross Your Lips
Food scientists are shedding light on items loaded with toxins and chemicals—and simple swaps for a cleaner diet and supersized health.
Clean eating means choosing fruits, vegetables and meats that are raised, grown and sold with minimal processing. Often they're organic, and rarely (if ever) should they contain additives. But in some cases, the methods of today's food producers are neither clean nor sustainable. The result is damage to our health, the environment, or both. So we decided to take a fresh look at food through the eyes of the people who spend their lives uncovering what's safe—or not—to eat. We asked them a simple question: "What foods do you avoid?" Their answers don't necessarily make up a "banned foods" list. But reaching for the suggested alternatives might bring you better health—and peace of mind.
What the endocrinologist won't eat: canned tomatoes
Fredrick Vom Saal, Ph.D., is an endocrinologist at the University of Missouri who studies bisphenol-A.
The problem: The resin linings of tin cans contain bisphenol-A, a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to ailments ranging from reproductive problems to heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Unfortunately, acidity (a prominent characteristic of tomatoes) causes BPA to leach into your food. Studies show that the BPA in most people's body exceeds the amount that suppresses sperm production or causes chromosomal damage to the eggs of animals. "You can get 50 mcg of BPA per liter out of a tomato can, and that's a level that is going to impact people, particularly the young," says vom Saal. "I won't go near canned tomatoes."
The solution: Choose tomatoes in glass bottles (which do not need resin linings), such as the brands Bionaturae and Coluccio. You can also get several types in Tetra Pak boxes, like Trader Joe's and Pomi.
Budget tip: If your recipe allows, substitute bottled pasta sauce for canned tomatoes. Look for pasta sauces with low sodium and few added ingredients, or you may have to adjust the recipe.
Too busy to cook? Eat what the nutritionist would eat at a fast-food place.
What the farmer won't eat: corn-fed beef
Joel Salatin is co-owner of Polyface Farms and author of half a dozen books on sustainable farming.
The problem: Cattle evolved to eat grass, not grains. But farmers today feed their animals corn and soybeans, which fatten up the animals faster for slaughter. But more money for cattle farmers (and lower prices at the grocery store) means a lot less nutrition for us. A recent comprehensive study conducted by the USDA and researchers from Clemson University found that compared with corn-fed beef, grass-fed beef is higher in beta-carotene, vitamin E, omega-3s, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), calcium, magnesium and potassium; lower in inflammatory omega-6s; and lower in saturated fats that have been linked to heart disease. "We need to respect the fact that cows are herbivores, and that does not mean feeding them corn and chicken manure," says Salatin.
The solution: Buy grass-fed beef, which can be found at specialty grocers, farmers' markets and nationally at Whole Foods. It's usually labeled because it demands a premium, but if you don't see it, ask your butcher.
Budget tip: Cuts on the bone are cheaper because processors charge extra for deboning. You can also buy direct from a local farmer, which can be as cheap as $5 per pound. To find a farmer near you, search eatwild.com.
farmers feed corn to make more weight on the cow and that means more money for them
The small farmer is just about gone. I want to sell my farm because it is hard work and no pay. just taxes. Why not get on welfare and get free medical, free,food, free rent, free dental, free cell phone, free eyeware, free cable tv, free transportation,people here with 5 kids to 5 different men get$700 a month for food stamps and they have never worked in their entire life. They are so lazy the goverment pays people to cut their grass and paint their apartment and to pick up junk in their yards, good old Alabama.
Eaglevision1 - You also need to do a little research. I'm not knocking McDonalds and have been known to enjoy a burger or 2 from there myself, although I should and do know better.
McDonalds Corp aside, however, the FSIS and USDA allow for a certain amount of non-specified fillers or extenders in various animal products. Yes, even hamburgers produced by McDonalds or hotdogs that you enjoy at the ballgame. In fact, I believe the last % for hotdogs was up to 30% fillers, including items like sawdust. Further, while McDonald touts that you are eating beef, it is never disclosed what parts of the cow you are eating. Beef is a pretty large label to toss around when you consider that you could be eating chuck and sirloin...or intestines, organs, hoof and tail, etc. The best parts of an animal are usually taken for choice cuts first and then the rest ground into what we know as "ground beef".
Perhaps one of the easiest ways to realize that something like a McDonalds burger should be something enjoyed every once in awhile, if at all, is the fact that their beef does come from corporation farms - and is slaughtered that way. You eat a tasty burger and perceive that you're enjoying a part of one of their delicious corn-fed bovines. In actuality, you could be consuming a burger comprised of up to 5,000 different bovines as the cattle are mass-produced, mass-slaughtered, and then ground and shipped out together for human consumption.
Rockamama - Don't spout nonsense. Do a little research. Yes, grass-fed beef is much better for you than corn-fed beef. A large part of that, however, has to do with how much marbling (fat) is produced and inherent in cuts of beef. Grass-fed cattle are leaner and hence, "better for you", than corn-fed beef.
Corn, however, does not cause E coli. Escherichia coli is found in the intestinal tract and lining of numerous other mammals and has also been known to cause infection - swine, sheep, goats, deer, etc. Fruits and vegetables may also contain E coli. E coli is a bacteria that comes from feces. E coli outbreaks from animal meat that you purchase occur when unsanitary slaughterhouses mix fecal matter in with the meat that they are grinding or producing. In fruits and vegetables, it occurs when fertilizers (manure) are not properly washed from the foods before consumption.
In other words, a lot of the E coli outbreaks could be reduced with a little more care and caution. In terms of meat, perhaps cook it a little longer - don't opt for rare or medium-rare cuts. In fruits and veggies, wash thoroughly before consuming or cooking and consuming - although if you are cooking thoroughly, it should kill the E coli bacteria. In addition, know that there are many strains of E coli out there. In fact, research shows that most infants, within 2 days of life, will have encountered some version of E coli as we, humans, also carry the bacteria.
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MSN Health & Fitness does not provide medical or any other health care advice, diagnosis or treatment.
