Can Processed Foods Be Healthy?

[EddMarkStarr]

Edd, you put oatmeal on your bologna sandwiches???? How revolting was that?
Bologna is usually high in fat and sodium, isn't it? Unless you buy a healthier version.

Yeah, it is kinda dumb. But I thicken it in the fridge overnight so it's like concrete.
My thinking is: "oatmeal good - bologna bad, but good".

 

[EddMarkStarr]

Processed foods are loaded with salt. When I cook, I go very light with the salt. I don't use garlic/onion salt. I use powder. The only salt I have is a season salt (Alpine Touch) and I don't cook with it. I use it (lightly) on cucumbers and avocados.

Lunch meats have a ton of sodium as does most all canned meats.

Mrs Dash makes a good spice mix. I buy regular spices and mix my own.

All these years I've been walking right past the spice aisle and loading up on processed meats.
Guess it's time for me to experiment and make positive changes in my diet.

I quit the "everything's better with bacon" club a long time ago.
Haven't bought bacon in years. Maybe there's hope for me.

 

[jbrown329]

All these years I've been walking right past the spice aisle and loading up on processed meats.
Guess it's time for me to experiment and make positive changes in my diet.

I quit the "everything's better with bacon" club a long time ago.
Haven't bought bacon in years. Maybe there's hope for me.

Don't cut out all the bacon. Don't pig out on the bacon. A little bit once in awhile won't hurt you. I can't do without my smoked ham shank. Without it, no ham and beans or split pea soup.

I need a new spice grinder. Can't grind celery seed without one. I have oregano, basil, italian seasoning, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley flakes and black pepper in the cupboard at all times. Have to keep the basil in a glass jar or it stinks the cupboard up. None of the others do.

Anyone know if sugar goes bad? I still have about 4 cups, have had it for 3 or 4yrs. It's been in a sealed container. And now I can't have it anymore. I suppose I should just throw it away. Was thinking I'd put it in a ziplock bag and take it to the office when I pay rent and give it to the manager.

 

[rareboy]

Bologna is not even a food.

Stay away from cured, salted meats.

If you want to be carnivorous, cook some chicken or beef at home, slice it and put it in your sandwiches.

I do like my rolled or steel cut oatmeal plain with just a little bit of butter though. I prefer it without any sweetening in order to avoid the insulin spike and crash first thing in the morning.

 

[jbrown329]

I use Sweetmate on my oatmeal. It's <gasp> saccharine. It's the only sweetener that I use now. I get it at the Dollar Store. A box of 100 packets is $1. I can't stand Bologna, to eat it makes me want to puke. The only good Bologna that I've ever had is when I worked for my uncles. They had a small grocery store and a man and his son rented an area in the back for a meat market. They made it on the premise. They also made the best all beef skinless wieners and Swedish potato sausage. I would die if I could get 5lbs of those wieners.

There's a meat market here that makes a decent potato sausage. They only make it around Christmas. I buy about 2lbs. That's my yearly limit, it's pretty pricey.

 

[sixthson]

Bologna is not even a food.

Stay away from cured, salted meats.

If you want to be carnivorous, cook some chicken or beef at home, slice it and put it in your sandwiches.

I do like my rolled or steel cut oatmeal plain with just a little bit of butter though. I prefer it without any sweetening in order to avoid the insulin spike and crash first thing in the morning.

If you use agave nectar you can avoid the spike and crash. It's low on the glycemic index, but each diabetic must know what they can handle. It's even lower in carbs and calories than honey.

 

[sixthson]

All these years I've been walking right past the spice aisle and loading up on processed meats.
Guess it's time for me to experiment and make positive changes in my diet.

I quit the "everything's better with bacon" club a long time ago.
Haven't bought bacon in years. Maybe there's hope for me.

You do have to educate yourself on foods. Simple things like substituting sweet potatoes for white potatoes is good if your diet requires that kind of change. Also, there are good fats and bad fats. The problem is that nothing tastes like butter, so you have to get used to other flavors. Coconut oil works well for many things but it doesn't taste like butter.

**hears Julia Child's voice in the background "everything goes better with butter"

 

[rareboy]

Now I would argue that butter is not the enemy...too much is.

I use so little butter that even a little tastes like a lot now. Except for corn on the cob. It requires lots.

Olive oil is my go to...although it is high in calories like all oils...it is a healthier fat.

But seriously Ed...meat is not a seasoning.

And speaking of seasoning.............just use real whole spices and herbs. Not 'seasonings', which are mostly msg and tend to wreak havoc with the metabolism.

Trust me. Eating healthy is actually fun and rewarding when you start thinking of the quality of the food you are eating.

And cooking for one doesn't have to be a total hassle.

There are many things that you can prepare fairly quickly and easily that are healthy and tasteful...if you have a well stocked pantry.

 

[jbrown329]

Sweet Potatoes?! GAAAAAAAAA! The only way sweet potatoes are good are in sweet potato pie. Otherwise, excuse me while I barf.

 

[Harke the Boeotarch]

If you use agave nectar you can avoid the spike and crash. It's low on the glycemic index, but each diabetic must know what they can handle. It's even lower in carbs and calories than honey.

Agave nectar is vile puke from Satan`s very three throats.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

You do have to educate yourself on foods. Simple things like substituting sweet potatoes for white potatoes is good if your diet requires that kind of change. Also, there are good fats and bad fats. The problem is that nothing tastes like butter, so you have to get used to other flavors. Coconut oil works well for many things but it doesn't taste like butter.

**hears Julia Child's voice in the background "everything goes better with butter"

no it not

tinku

 

[zoltanspawn]

Bologna is not even a food.

There's good bologna as mortadella proves, but I suspect this is not the token of this thread.

Agave nectar is vile puke from Satan`s very three throats.

Please make yourself a good margarita or seven with agave sometime.

 

[jbrown329]

Agave nectar is vile puke from Satan`s very three throats.

I had a small taste years ago. I do not like. If I had my choice, honey. Not store bought, from a local apiary. But, alas, I can't eat it any longer.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

folkees wike honey
_stop killin da beeeeeeees_
"ans evaryoda ting mak 1st worldeess da great morons a theys is a taday ans so on"

anyway

tinku

bees teys mak honey fa anys a world weeders workin a out planet nots flat

 

[EddMarkStarr]

Wow, lots of interesting information here. Definitely taking notes. Gotta do some online searching, you guys are talking about stuff I'm not familiar with. "A Spice Grinder" - excellent idea. Found some videos on foods that can help with my blood pressure but right away I have to rid my kitchen of salt and try some crazy spices.

This is going to be fun. Can't wait to drive the neighbors wild with new smells floating from my place.

 

[travis82]

I'm trying to switch to a Vegan diet but I need my proteins.

Should I get those "mock meat", "fake meat" ( meat that are made of soy beans) that comes in cans??

They are packaged in cans and are quite high in proteins. Should I get these processed "mock meat" in cans??


And what about those "baked beans in tomato sauces" that are in cans?? Should I get those for my source of proteins too??

 

[rareboy]

Why not just cook some beans yourself?

 

[mikemizanin729]

Processed food isn't healthy at all but it wouldn't hurt to have the small snack here or there, but there is nothing healthy about it.

 

[jbrown329]

Yeah, to many beans and my blood sugar goes to the moon.

 

[Vannie]

Yeah, to many beans and my blood sugar goes to the moon.

But...they are good for your heart.