Healthy living

[Phasmid]

I recently started a health crusade - been eating plenty of fruit and veg and drinking lots of water.

Then, I go shopping today with a friend and it's like the whole damn planet is conspiring against people like me, who want to look after their bodies.

There are coffee and confectionary shops EVERYWHERE! I go into a supermarket to buy food, find something that seems healthy and read the lable only to find a list of E numbers and additives.

I imagine even the fruit and veg I eat has been killing me slowly with pesticides (I wash them, but I don't know how effective that would be).

What the hell is going on that a person can't buy something simple without taking in a small dose of poison at the same time? [/rant]

[Quagmire]

Welcome to the club, Phasmid.

Wait until you start trying to find anything that doesn't have refined sugar in it.

[Storm]

What are E numbers?

[Ringer]

I imagine it's all to cut costs. Producing all natural fruits and veggies without the use of pesticides is expensive. Those costs get passed to the consumers so while it is possible to get them, your pocketbook will take a hit. Eating a well balanced, healthy, and somewhat additive free diet is starting to become a luxury it seems.

[Phasmid]

Originally Posted by Storm

What are E numbers?

Colourings and basically chemical crap.

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by Phasmid

I recently started a health crusade - been eating plenty of fruit and veg and drinking lots of water.

Originally Posted by Phasmid

Then, I go shopping today with a friend and it's like the whole damn planet is conspiring against people like me, who want to look after their bodies.

There are coffee and confectionary shops EVERYWHERE! I go into a supermarket to buy food, find something that seems healthy and read the lable only to find a list of E numbers and additives.

I imagine even the fruit and veg I eat has been killing me slowly with pesticides (I wash them, but I don't know how effective that would be).

What the hell is going on that a person can't buy something simple without taking in a small doce of poison at the same time? [/rant]

Well you can always buy the brands that are labelled as being "Organic", and pay a hefty extra price for it or you can just be somewhat reasonable and simply pay attention. In my opinion, the biggest problem is buying any kind of prepared meals or things that are "ready to eat" or "heat 'n' eat". I stay well away from such things. I know it sounds lame, but another thing is that if I cannot pronounce more than three words on the label, I don't buy it.... and that includes the name, lol.

I think as long as you are buying fresh food, say from a butcher, a bakery and a produce market, you really can't go too wrong. The key point is "fresh". Another tip: Don't sacrifice quality to save a few cents so you can go buy more DVD's or CD's. Also, go with a simple rule of not consuming things that are not grown over 100 miles from where you live.

All in all, people have to educate themselves about what they eat and how it is made. Convenience isn't very convenient if it will lead to health problems. Also, cook your own food. Cooking is FUN and more importantly take TIME to EAT slowly. Don't just bolt down your food like a dog, lol. Savour each bit by chewing it thoroughly. I guess my last point: Prepare your food with LOVE as the main ingredient. Never, EVER, cook if you are angry. So what if you have 90 minutes less a day on the computer... it's your health that is really important.

*gets off soapbox*

[Phasmid]

YmirGF, I do all of what you said besides buy organic. Mainly because I haven't looked that hard for them yet... every time I go into a supermarket I can feel the collective stare of cameras and staff thinking, "He's not moving... he must be trying to steal something".

The point I was really trying to make was, it seems society is geared towards making people eat junk they don't need. It's crazy just how much garbage is in, what is supposedly, healthy food.

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by Phasmid

YmirGF, I do all of what you said besides buy organic. Mainly because I haven't looked that hard for them yet... every time I go into a supermarket I can feel the collective stare of cameras and staff thinking, "He's not moving... he must be trying to steal something".

The point I was really trying to make was, it seems society is geared towards making people eat junk they don't need. It's crazy just how much garbage is in, what is supposedly, healthy food.

I hear ya, Phasmid, but all I can tell you is that you will get used to it. I am simply not influenced by advertising when it comes to food. Don't be fooled by the instore advertising either. If you feel that you are on camera or under the watchful eye of somebody then it is sign that you should really make your dollar speak for you and SHOP ELSEWHERE.

Stop going to big shopping centres. Go to smaller stores that actually care about what they are offering to the public where the people working there will remember your name.

Personally I think the Pharmacutical companies are in cahoots with the food barons. It's all about profits and if people stop giving them their money... eventually you just might see some changes.

[Phasmid]

Originally Posted by YmirGF

I hear ya, Phasmid, but all I can tell you is that you will get used to it. I am simply not influenced by advertising when it comes to food. Don't be fooled by the instore advertising either. If you feel that you are on camera or under the watchful eye of somebody then it is sign that you should really make your dollar speak for you and SHOP ELSEWHERE.

Stop going to big shopping centres. Go to smaller stores that actually care about what they are offering to the public where the people working there will remember your name.

Hmmm I shall give it a go.

[Kilgore Trout]

Avoid eating anything that comes in a box, and you'll already be way ahead of the game. I don't know how people eat processed food anyway - everything is oversaturated with salt and sugar. None of it even tastes like food.