[beachgal]

For more on eating nutrition-packed veggies, see the "Best Veggies" thread stuck in the FAQ.

From the Daily Dish on May 31, 2005:

A Message from Dr. Agatston!

The following is excerpted from the new preface of The South Beach Diet™ paperback by Dr. Arthur Agatston, preventive cardiologist and author.

One fact has become clear to me: while Americans are overfed, we are also dangerously undernourished. Malnutrition has always been associated with images of thin emaciated souls, but it is now apparent that both overweight and non-overweight Americans are also often malnourished due to the lack of good carbohydrates such as whole vegetables and fruits in their diets, as well as the near absence of the healthy fats like omega-3 oils.

This is particularly true for children, whose diets are too often based predominantly on refined starches, simple sugars, and trans fats, which are the worst kind of fats. I believe that much of the alarming increase in childhood asthma and Attention Deficit Disorder, as well as numerous other maladies, is nutritionally based. Because we have not yet learned to effectively extract the nutrients and vitamins from fruits and vegetables, supplements cannot be counted on to replace nutritious whole foods. What this means is that even for those of ideal weight, following the principles of The South Beach Diet™ is fundamental for general health.

The challenge today is not to determine the principles of healthy eating but to find the best methods to implement what we already know. For this, it is necessary to educate health-care professionals as well as the general public. Another factor in changing the way Americans eat is making healthy eating convenient and satisfying. I invite the restaurant, hotel, and food industries to work hard to meet America's desire for healthier, more nutritious foods.

[mamaeli]

Yes, I agree. Don't forget to add artificial colors and flavors to the mix, too. On our local NPR station, there was a week long series looking at poverty in NC. Nutrition was definitely one of the topics. It is more expensive, I think, to eat well than to eat "cheap." All of the fresh fruits and veggies, lean meat, fish, chicken---it gets expenisive. Went grocery shopping last night--spent $160. That will probably last us about 10 days. The only nonfood item I bought was shampoo. NC used to have vouchers for people on WIC and food stamps to go to the local farmer's market in the summer, but many counties have discontinued it. Add to that the lack of education many low income people have, as well as the fact that you may have a single mom working two part time jobs--there's a lot of quick meals and stress eating. Also, the feast or famine syndrome: feast beginning of the month, mom famines the end of the month so kids have meals. And now it's summer, so the kids on free and reduced lunch don't get it at school. Mom tries to get the cheap and filling stuff--rice, noodles, canned meats, packages of dollar cookies and cheap "fruit" punch drinks. There have been studies that the artifical stuff not only influences conditions such as ADHD and asthma, but also contribute to poor behavior overall. Schools that have banned such additives have seen a dramatic decrease in behavior problems. Schools in places such as Finland, Norway, etc. could not even imagine our school lunches compared to theirs. Healthy, whole foods are the norm there, whereas ours are prepackaged "chicken stix, french fries, canned peaches in heavy syrup, and chocolate milk" followed by an optional purchase of cakes, cookies, brownies, ice creams, or fruitopia drinks. Also in the machines--ding dongs, chips, and other bad stuff galore. ( I know this gets at your post from last week, Laurie.)

Last year at this time, when my son was in the beginnings of eating solid foods, almost everything in our house came from Whole Foods. We were about 90% organic. That lasted until mid-summer, when my lack of a paycheck (teachers in NC don't get paid for July and Aug.) demanded some changes. Now, we're still nowhere near that. Maybe 25% on a good pay week. But here's the battle I'm fighting with. He is starting to show some major food preferences for--whaddya know--refined and processed carbs! He loves Dannnimals and McDonalds (both advertised on PBS kids mornings shows, by the way.) Things like chicken nuggets and french fries, popsicles, jellybeans, cookies and chips, crackers, etc. he loves. I don't have that in the house very much (even before south beach) be now he doesn't want to eat the chicken breast or leg I give him. Example, last night he was happy with soy nuts (good snack), and then for supper the chapatis (Kenyan style includes lots of refined white flour and oil) but not the chicken stew. Would not even touch it. So there is my dillemma: trying to get DS to eat healthy. DH will eat whatever I put in front of him, as long as it's not veggies!