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2009-02-13 8:40 AM

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Master
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Subject: "King Corn" documentary
I just watched the documentary, "King Corn".

Wow....just wow!

I had no idea....

It angers me to watch those "High Fructose Corn Syrup" commericals now because of how UNTRUE they are....yes it has the same nutritional value as regular table sugar because both have very little nutritional values to being with! Its like comparing junk food to junk food as being just as good as the other.

The one thing that really got me was the difference between free range beef and non free range beef and the fat differences between them. There is 3-4X more saturated fat in corn fed cow beef than free range grass eating cow beef.

I love to eat yogurt, especially Yoplait's Harvest Peach yogurt. But guess whats in the ingredient list...."High Fructose Corn Syrup", used to sweeten it. I think I am gonna look for some alternatives.

If you can, rent this documentary. Its not a super biased film like "Supersize Me," but it does give you a great perspective on what you are eating and how over the past 30 years what corn has done to this country.


2009-02-13 8:44 AM
in reply to: #1960349

Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary

Just started reading "The Omnivore's Dilemma", which sheds some light on the same issue - how corn is basically in EVERYTHING we eat, in some form or another and how it has affected the food industry/agriculture. Crazy...makes you think twice, a little.

2009-02-13 8:44 AM
in reply to: #1960349

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Champion
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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary
Corn. EVIL!!! WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIIIIIIIIIIE AAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!

I ate some corn last night and now I'm obese. Dangit all to heck.


Edit: I just want to add that it's not the corn that's bad for you or even the HFCS in the pop you drink that makes people fat. It's the fact that some tend to drink five or six or 12 a day and don't exercise. That's what makes them fat.

Don't blame food for obesity. Blame people for overeating and not exercising for obesity.

Edited by mr2tony 2009-02-13 8:48 AM
2009-02-13 8:53 AM
in reply to: #1960367

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Master
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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary
wurkit_gurl - 2009-02-13 9:44 AM

Just started reading "The Omnivore's Dilemma", which sheds some light on the same issue - how corn is basically in EVERYTHING we eat, in some form or another and how it has affected the food industry/agriculture. Crazy...makes you think twice, a little.



How is that book? Funny, someone this morning recommended that book as well.
2009-02-13 8:56 AM
in reply to: #1960369

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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary

mr2tony - 2009-02-13 7:44 AM Corn. EVIL!!! WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIIIIIIIIIIE AAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHH! I ate some corn last night and now I'm obese. Dangit all to heck. Edit: I just want to add that it's not the corn that's bad for you or even the HFCS in the pop you drink that makes people fat. It's the fact that some tend to drink five or six or 12 a day and don't exercise. That's what makes them fat. Don't blame food for obesity. Blame people for overeating and not exercising for obesity.

NO...No...NO!  it's the corn I tell ya...the darn corn!  that and the supersize meals that the fast food establishments force us to buy!  sheesh!!!

2009-02-13 8:57 AM
in reply to: #1960349

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Coach
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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary

Haven’t watched the documentary and while I don’t believe HFCS is the best choice for CHO, remember it is VERY easy to present a bias view and mold it to your personal beliefs in a documentary.

Also as Tony said, food is not guilty for people obesisty issues, is the people making bad choices and eating too much. HFCS is not bad for you if you drink ONE coke or whatever product it contains it, but if you choose to willingly drink 10 cokes (even if they are from Mexico made with cane sugar) it still will be bad for you. Everything in excess is bad, even triathlons.

Just be smart about your food choices, have a balanced diet and you’ll be fine.



2009-02-13 9:01 AM
in reply to: #1960369

Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary

mr2tony - 2009-02-13 9:44 AM Corn. EVIL!!! WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIIIIIIIIIIE AAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHH! I ate some corn last night and now I'm obese. Dangit all to heck. Edit: I just want to add that it's not the corn that's bad for you or even the HFCS in the pop you drink that makes people fat. It's the fact that some tend to drink five or six or 12 a day and don't exercise. That's what makes them fat. Don't blame food for obesity. Blame people for overeating and not exercising for obesity.

Oh, I'm not blaming food for fat people. I am very well aware that a soda once in awhile won't kill you, but drinking 3 32-oz sodas every day might pose a problem. But it really is eye-opening to see how processed and synthetic the VAST majority of the food we eat really is, ya know? I don't know - I was not raised on much junk food and esp. since college when I started buying my own food and making my own food choices, I've tried to avoid processed crap. Has nothing to do with the organic "fad" or any of these documentaries. But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell you that whole, unprocessed foods in their natural forms are better for you...

And I agree with Jorge, of course - everything in moderation. I like a soda once in a blue moon, or a cheeseburger from Wendy's. But having been raised with a mother who NEVER ONCE bought us white bread, you don't develop a taste for a lot of that stuff, even. We got junk food as a treat, but she cooked all of our meals, made us cookies from scratch, etc. Oddly, the one thing we had a lot of in the house was caffeine-free diet coke. Which I can't stand now - don't even know how I drank it as a kid.



Edited by wurkit_gurl 2009-02-13 9:07 AM
2009-02-13 9:03 AM
in reply to: #1960393

Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary
vrljc - 2009-02-13 9:53 AM
wurkit_gurl - 2009-02-13 9:44 AM

Just started reading "The Omnivore's Dilemma", which sheds some light on the same issue - how corn is basically in EVERYTHING we eat, in some form or another and how it has affected the food industry/agriculture. Crazy...makes you think twice, a little.

How is that book? Funny, someone this morning recommended that book as well.

Only a few chapters in so far, but very interesting at this point. I also like talking and reading about nutrition, food, etc.

2009-02-13 9:04 AM
in reply to: #1960349

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Resident Curmudgeon
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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary
How can you say HFCS is no worse than sugar, then damn Yoplait for having it in their product, all in the same post?
2009-02-13 9:08 AM
in reply to: #1960349

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Champion
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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary
While it's true that natural foods may or may not be better for you than mass-produced foods, which is in fact a point of debate, feeding the world's population `natural' food isn't a possibility because of economies of scale.

Also, it's not economically possible to sell `naturally grown' food and still allow everybody to eat. There's a reason not everybody shops at Whole Foods -- not everybody can afford it.

I tend to find the people who bag on farmed goods are from the coasts and have never actually been on a farm. Most don't know from where their food comes and simply think that `it's from the supermarket, of course.' I say if you don't want to eat processed foods, go buy a farm, get some cows and chickens and pigs and plant some crops. Either that, or shut up and enjoy your dinner.
2009-02-13 9:17 AM
in reply to: #1960429

Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary

mr2tony - 2009-02-13 10:08 AM While it's true that natural foods may or may not be better for you than mass-produced foods, which is in fact a point of debate, feeding the world's population `natural' food isn't a possibility because of economies of scale. Also, it's not economically possible to sell `naturally grown' food and still allow everybody to eat. There's a reason not everybody shops at Whole Foods -- not everybody can afford it. I tend to find the people who bag on farmed goods are from the coasts and have never actually been on a farm. Most don't know from where their food comes and simply think that `it's from the supermarket, of course.' I say if you don't want to eat processed foods, go buy a farm, get some cows and chickens and pigs and plant some crops. Either that, or shut up and enjoy your dinner.

Yes, I understand that it's expensive, and that is why I don't normally buy grass-fed beef. And yes, I am fully aware of the variation in farming methods, how the animals are treated, etc and how some of them are good or bad, etc. Plus, the regulations aren't strict enough to ensure that "free range" is truly free range, etc. I don't generally buy my groceries from Whole Foods because it's expensive. And as I've said before "organic" doesn't necessarily mean 100% organic AND a certain amount of synthetic additives is allowed by the FDA in "organic" food. But I do the best I can, which is attempt to cook with fresh ingredients rather than prepackaged stuff packed with preservatives, or get take-out, etc.



2009-02-13 9:20 AM
in reply to: #1960429

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Master
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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary
mr2tony - 2009-02-13 10:08 AM

Also, it's not economically possible to sell `naturally grown' food and still allow everybody to eat. There's a reason not everybody shops at Whole Foods -- not everybody can afford it.


I totally agree. Its kind of a double edged sword. Do you want to eat cheaply? Then you will need to eat highly processed, not as nutritional foods. Do you want to eat as healthy as you possible can? (.i.e free range meat and organic veggies), then its gonna cost you.

The documentary also mentioned how back in the 20's and 30's the percentage of your pay check that went to feeding your family was signifigantly higher than it is today, and that is because now with super processed foods, it brings the cost way down.
2009-02-13 9:28 AM
in reply to: #1960349

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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary

Even though I consider myself pretty up on food matters (and yes a Michael Polan fan),  I'm finally circling back and reading Fast Food Nation.  Just started.  So far the best material is on the strategy of marketing to children.  In the spirit of a good thread that was (at least temporarily) up above TAN on the COJ page, factoid of the day:

"The fast food chains run ads on Channel One, the commercial television network whose programming  is now shown in classrooms, almost every day, to eight million of the nation's middle, junior, and high school students."

Eight million as of 2001 when the book was originally written; I don' t know the number for today.  Anyway, interesting stuff.

And Mama Sky's food advice for the day:  COOK AT HOME, ALREADY! 

2009-02-13 10:59 AM
in reply to: #1960429

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Champion
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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary

mr2tony - 2009-02-13 10:08 AM While it's true that natural foods may or may not be better for you than mass-produced foods, which is in fact a point of debate, feeding the world's population `natural' food isn't a possibility because of economies of scale.

I'd say that is debatable as well.  The reason we have so many mass produced foods is because companies can make more money on these "not so" healthy ingredients..  HFCS is cheaper than sugar cane.  Companies bleach and then "enrich" white flour because it makes a "prettier" product (hence they sell more).  It's actually CHEAPER to NOT bleach the flour.

So while in some cases mass production might be required in some cases it does not mean that mass produced foods cannot be healthy.

 



Edited by TriRSquared 2009-02-13 11:00 AM
2009-02-13 11:01 AM
in reply to: #1960487

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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary
CitySky - 2009-02-13 10:28 AM

Even though I consider myself pretty up on food matters (and yes a Michael Polan fan),  I'm finally circling back and reading Fast Food Nation

Great book.  However it SEVERELY limited the number of places I will now eat a hamburger.

2009-02-13 11:16 AM
in reply to: #1960487

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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary
CitySky - 2009-02-13 9:28 AM

Even though I consider myself pretty up on food matters (and yes a Michael Polan fan),  I'm finally circling back and reading Fast Food Nation.  Just started.  So far the best material is on the strategy of marketing to children.  In the spirit of a good thread that was (at least temporarily) up above TAN on the COJ page, factoid of the day:

"The fast food chains run ads on Channel One, the commercial television network whose programming  is now shown in classrooms, almost every day, to eight million of the nation's middle, junior, and high school students."

Eight million as of 2001 when the book was originally written; I don' t know the number for today.  Anyway, interesting stuff.

And Mama Sky's food advice for the day:  COOK AT HOME, ALREADY! 



I contend that it's up to the parents to teach their children that just because they see an ad on TV doesn't mean they have to buy that product. Of course the fast food chains are going to advertise to young people -- that's their prime demographic. But just because they advertise doesn't mean you have to consume what they're selling. Parents need to be more proactive in teaching their children how to live healthy lives. As triathletes I'm sure we're better at that than most people. And sadly, some people just don't have the means to always eat healthy. For some, ``going out to dinner'' might mean going to McDonald's.


2009-02-13 11:29 AM
in reply to: #1960349

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Master
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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary
Oh yeah I saw it the movie. What an eye opener. After watching the movie, I have thrown away all romantic notion about crops, corn especially. It's a raw material, no different from plastic resins.

Speaking of yogurt, I recently went on a binge and bought a variety of brands. (e.g. Activia, Dannon fruit on the bottom, and Emmi, a Swiss brand.) Activia, which listed sugar on the list of ingredient, not HFCS (they used to), is way too sweet. Dannon fruit on the bottom is not tart at all, which makes it creepy. Emmi is milder flavor but expensive. I wonder if US consumers have gone accustomed to strong flavors in their food (salty or sweet).
2009-02-13 11:45 AM
in reply to: #1960429

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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary
mr2tony - 2009-02-13 7:08 AM

While it's true that natural foods may or may not be better for you than mass-produced foods, which is in fact a point of debate, feeding the world's population `natural' food isn't a possibility because of economies of scale.

Also, it's not economically possible to sell `naturally grown' food and still allow everybody to eat. There's a reason not everybody shops at Whole Foods -- not everybody can afford it.

I tend to find the people who bag on farmed goods are from the coasts and have never actually been on a farm. Most don't know from where their food comes and simply think that `it's from the supermarket, of course.' I say if you don't want to eat processed foods, go buy a farm, get some cows and chickens and pigs and plant some crops. Either that, or shut up and enjoy your dinner.


Keep in mind that corn, soy, etc. are heavily subsidized. Subsidizing fruits, veggies, etc. to the same extent could make it more economical for people to eat stuff that's less processed.

And rather than ragging on people from the coasts (California being a coastal state that has a bit of farm land, as well as a few people who are into the whole slow-food, know-your-farmer movement), let's just say that a lot of people in general--coastal, inland, wherever--don't know or appreciate where their food comes from.
2009-02-13 11:47 AM
in reply to: #1960819

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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary

Denise2003 - 2009-02-13 12:29 PM Oh yeah I saw it the movie. What an eye opener. After watching the movie, I have thrown away all romantic notion about crops, corn especially. It's a raw material, no different from plastic resins.

corn is actually now used to make plastic resins...

2009-02-13 11:59 AM
in reply to: #1960864

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Master
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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary
meherczeg - 2009-02-13 12:47 PM

Denise2003 - 2009-02-13 12:29 PM Oh yeah I saw it the movie. What an eye opener. After watching the movie, I have thrown away all romantic notion about crops, corn especially. It's a raw material, no different from plastic resins.

corn is actually now used to make plastic resins...



That's right! Biodegradable water bottles or something.
2009-02-13 12:01 PM
in reply to: #1960819

Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary

Denise2003 - 2009-02-13 12:29 PM Oh yeah I saw it the movie. What an eye opener. After watching the movie, I have thrown away all romantic notion about crops, corn especially. It's a raw material, no different from plastic resins. Speaking of yogurt, I recently went on a binge and bought a variety of brands. (e.g. Activia, Dannon fruit on the bottom, and Emmi, a Swiss brand.) Activia, which listed sugar on the list of ingredient, not HFCS (they used to), is way too sweet. Dannon fruit on the bottom is not tart at all, which makes it creepy. Emmi is milder flavor but expensive. I wonder if US consumers have gone accustomed to strong flavors in their food (salty or sweet).

I love Emmi yogurt! So pricey, though



2009-02-13 12:11 PM
in reply to: #1960819

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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary
Denise2003 - 2009-02-13 11:29 AM

Oh yeah I saw it the movie. What an eye opener. After watching the movie, I have thrown away all romantic notion about crops, corn especially. It's a raw material, no different from plastic resins.

Speaking of yogurt, I recently went on a binge and bought a variety of brands. (e.g. Activia, Dannon fruit on the bottom, and Emmi, a Swiss brand.) Activia, which listed sugar on the list of ingredient, not HFCS (they used to), is way too sweet. Dannon fruit on the bottom is not tart at all, which makes it creepy. Emmi is milder flavor but expensive. I wonder if US consumers have gone accustomed to strong flavors in their food (salty or sweet).


Yes. I like driving through Illinois past all the plastic resin fields.
2009-02-13 12:16 PM
in reply to: #1960349

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Master
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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary
Emmi is delish. I wouldn't have gotten them had they were not on sale. Local super was running a special. 1/2 px. I got 5 cups. Paid $1.39 a cup, I think.

Edited by Denise2003 2009-02-13 12:16 PM
2009-02-13 12:17 PM
in reply to: #1960349

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary

On a side note:

A friend pointed us to http://www.localharvest.org/ , a site that will identify local farms (and markets and what not) that will offer to provide you fresh, locally grown produce.  We just enrolled in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) agreement with a local farm that, during the growing season, will provide us with a weekly share of their crops.  We can pick it up at the farm or at the weekly farmers market.

Cool, huh?

2009-02-13 12:20 PM
in reply to: #1960930

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Champion
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Subject: RE: "King Corn" documentary

Denise2003 - 2009-02-13 1:16 PM Emmi is delish. I wouldn't have gotten them had they were not on sale. Local super was running a special. 1/2 px. I got 5 cups. Paid $1.39 a cup, I think.

wowza

1.39 is far too much money for a cup of yogurt

hell no

i need to pay my bills

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