I like food. I always have and hopefully I always will. But recently, I've become more and more concerned with what's in the food we eat. From preservatives and pesticides to unhealthy fats and modified sugars. And I began to ask: "What's all this stuff doing to our bodies? And does it have to be this way?"
To answer these questions, the These Days team decided to devote a series of shows to the topic of the food we eat. We'll look at how our bodies work and what they need to be healthy, to why we crave certain foods. We'll discuss how to enjoy beef and seafood in an environmentally sustainable way, as well as explore the rising trend of vegetarianism.
We'd like to know what you think about food. What concerns do you have about the food you eat? Are you confused by all the information out there on nutrition and weight loss? Send us your questions or comments and we'll try to incorporate them into our coverage of "The Food We Eat."
- Natalie Walsh is the Senior Producer for
These Days.
John Eggers from San Diego
July 24, 2008 at 04:27 PM
I was delighted to hear, Vicky Newman, Tom's guest on July 24 mention that too many carbohydrates, especially sugars, is a major contributor to obesity. I would recommend reading Gary Taubes' book "Good Calories, Bad Calories" to gain a deeper understanding of the science (or lack thereof) of nutrition. For a quick fix (without the notes and bibliography found in his book), here are some interesting links:
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/291/5513/2536 Gary Taubes: "The Soft Science of Dietary Fat"
http://nymag.com/news/sports/38001/ Gary Taubes: "The Scientist and the Stairmaster"
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F04E2D61F3EF934A35754C0A9649C8B63 Gary Taubes: "What if it's All Been a Big Fat Lie?"
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4362041487661765149 Gary Taubes lecture video at Stevens Institute of Technology
http://webcast.berkeley.edu/event_details.php?webcastid=21216 Gary Taubes lecture webcast at UC Berkeley
Reading Taubes' book changed the way I look at food. After reading it, I no longer believe the assertion that dietary fat is in any way responsible for the obesity epidemic in this country.
Master Sergeant Borrowman, United States Marine Co from Oceanside
July 24, 2008 at 05:56 PM
It is so rare to hear in the mainstream media both sugar and refined carbohydrates blamed directly as a primary cause for obesity. My congratulations and sincere gratitude go to Tom Fudge, Vicky Newman, and KPBS for bringing this vital issue to public broadcast.
The western professional medical community seems to have finally found it's backbone and started to admit it's mistakes (Vicky mentioned the 90's and their center's failed practice of limiting fats).
Now maybe the rest of the medical professionals, schools, hospitals, and companies can finish getting out of the pockets of the FDA, food, pharmaceutical, and insurance companies, moving back to true medicine's roots of prevention, not simply treatment and profit.
Gary Taube's latest book, "Good Calories, Bad Calories," has the most definitive research done on how the majority perceives nutrition today, outlining the bad reputation fat has received, while noting how many diseases did not exist before agriculture, processed foods, sugar, and other refined carbohydrates.
If I could have one wish before I go back to Iraq, it would be that Tom interview Mr. Taubes on his show. While his message is not conventional, it is certainly the most progressive I have heard on the subject since Dr. Atkins.
Kath Rogers
from San Diego
July 30, 2008 at 07:04 PM
Thanks so much for letting me discuss some common ground that vegetarians and meat eaters can agree on.
The voters of California put Proposition 2 on the statewide ballot to address cruel treatment of farm animals that are being confined cages barely bigger than their bodies.
By voting YES on PROP 2 in November, we can eliminate some of the worst cruelties endured by animals on factory farms.
A Yes Vote on Prop 2 essentially says that it’s simply wrong to treat animals, including those raised for food, inhumanely.
Check out YesOnProp2.com for more information!
Tammy from San Diego
August 27, 2008 at 06:15 PM
I would like to hear a bit on "fake sugar".. aspartame.. what it is.. is it really bad? is it better than sugar? I'd like to know more about this issue because the idea of 'sugar-free' is becoming more and more relevant.
Becky Landes from San Diego
December 06, 2008 at 04:24 PM
Hopefully, this comment fits within your topic. I have been trying to notice where the food I buy comes from and have been surprised to find that I cannot find a California avocado in Vons, I believe they are imported from Chile. The carbon footprint from Chile must be quite large. I think our local stores should support local growers as much as possible. If you want to buy avocados, buy them at your farmer's market and support our growers!
