My Food Pyramid

"mypyramid.gov" is a USDA approved website that tailors the nutritional requirements for a given person by asking them questions about their daily activities and body type. This allows for an individual to further understand the amount of nutrients and the type of nutrients they need more or less of. Get your food pyramid profile today!

What Raised the World Market Food Price?

There has been a steady increase in the international price of food, but from 2007-2008, and in 2009, there were a huge increases in the prices for rice and other labor intensive crops. This was due to a mixture of a shortage of rice and biofuels.

Speculation on the biofuels market lead to a devastating increase in crops which carried over to the transportation/shipping industries as well. The increase of oil prices and the decline of the US dollar on the currency market also contributed to an increase in world market food prices.

Though there is not a direct link to speculation and biofuels raising the price, it was a chain of events (oil prices, rice shortages, and speculation on a failure) that caused the catastrophic increases.

References:

http://www.voxeu.org/index.php?q=node/1437
www.answers.com/topic/food-supply-and-the-global-food-market
http://www.stanford.edu/group/FRI/indonesia/documents/foodpolicy/chapt4.fm.html
http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article8573.html

Is Soy Milk Harmful to Men?

It is known that soy contains a plant type of estrogen (phytoestrogen...which has the chemical name isoflavin), but is it powerful enough to change a man's reproductive make-up?

NO

A study was conducted that involved giving men 40mg of soy isovlavins for 2 consecutive months. There was no change in their level of serum sex hormones or testicle volume. Soy does not effeminize men. Testosterone levels change with the consumption of given foods (meat-eaters have a higher amount of testosterone than vegans/vegetarians). Meat-eaters are also more prone to having higher cholesterol than vegans/vegetarians. Vegetarians and vegans are within the normal range of testosterone levels and using an unhealthy standard is not the way to measure testosterone levels.

Soy milk has also been found to reduce some of the estrogen producing hormones in women, which fights against breast cancer!

So all in all, it is safe to consume soy for both men and women.

References:

http://www.soymilkquick.com/shouldmenworry.php
http://soynutrition.com/SoyHealth/SoyMyths.html?gclid=CMixpJjp46ECFQpLbQodT22EJQ
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/soy-milk-estrogen.html

USDA Approved Diet Not What it Seems

In the 1950s, the USDA created an easy to follow chart that would educate individuals what nutrients to eat and what foods provided them. The "food pyramid" is the product of the USDA, the meat packing and milk industries. Key marketing and lobbying made this a possibility.

The meat packing industry and milk factories got together and devised a plan to increase sales. Adult mammals usually do not consume milk after their juvenile stage of life.

Cereal was introduced in the American diet as a means of alleviating constipation. The traditional "American Breakfast" (eggs, pancakes, toast, sausage, etc) was fine for farmhands and farmer's families alike. After the majority of the American population shifted from the farm life in the late 19th century, the lack of physical activity and water inside of the high starch diet resulted in constipation.

High fiber cereal was not only produced to stop constipation, but was also to increase the sales of milk. The meat packing industry also managed to incorporate meat into every meal. It has been found that the average serving for meat should be no more than 3 ounces or about the size of a deck of playing cards. Both the meat packing and dairy industries colluded to create this ingenious marketing scheme.

What can we do about it?

One can educate themselves about the proper nutrient intake for their given body type.

Is Hand Sanitizer Really Safe?

Many of us think that hand sanitizer is an easy way to clean our hands. the bottle states that it is about 98% rubbing alcohol, and it removes germs instantly. Though this is true, it is facilitating the increase of strength of bacteria.

The same issues that hospitals were only known to have are now prevalent in the day to day. By over using soap, weaker bacteria have died off and stronger bacteria have survived. It may come to a point when hand sanitizer is no longer effective due to overuse.

What should we do to prevent this?

It is better to actually use soap and water. It does not have to be anti-bacterial soap, as that is adding to the problem of super bacteria. One must wash their hands for at least 20 seconds as well. anti-bacterial soap has to be used for appropriate situations and not everyday use.

Though hand sanitizer may make one feel like they are getting themselves clean, the long run has to be taken into consideration.

Sustainable Restaurants in Berkeley

Here is a list of Restaurants in Berkeley that use majority local and organic ingredients in food:

Bobby G's Pizza
Saul's Restaurant
Alameda Marketplace
Bread Workshop
Cafe Gratitude
Venus
Minako Organic Japanese Restaurant
Razan Organic Kitchen
Chez Panisse
Thai Delight Cuisine

And so much more!

Sustainable eateries not only fuel the local economy, but they also provide for a fresher, more environmentally sound meal. Just explore the streets of Berkeley for even more sustainable eateries.

What Really is Yellow #5?

Yellow No. 5, also known as tartrazine, is an FD&C (approved for use in food, drugs, and cosmetics) coloring dye commonly used to give various foods (such as beverages, candy, and ice cream) a bright lemon yellow color. It has long been deemed safe by the Food and Drug Administration. It has also been in use since 1916. The FDA's established acceptable daily intake [ADI] for tartrazine is 5.0 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day, which is about .01 ounces for a 132-pound person.

There are some artificial food colorings that are banned, such as Orange #1, Red #3, Red #2, and Yellow #4. Blue #1, Blue #2, Green #3, and Yellow #6 could hurt you but scientist aren't positive yet if they actually do.

“One dye, yellow #5, also known as tartrazine, must be specifically listed if it is an ingredient. It is used in many different food products and medications. In susceptible individuals it can cause symptoms such as bronchospasms and hives. Also, some aspirin-intolerant people can have cross-reactions to tartrazine such as asthma attacks, hives, and, rarely, anaphylaxis. Some of this is discussed in an American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement entitled, " 'Inactive' Ingredients in Pharmaceutical Products" at http://www.aap.org/policy/re9706.html.

Food coloring is a part of our everyday lives, and we should become more knowledgeable of what is in our food and how our food is processed. Not all of the things in food are good, not all of the things in food are bad. It is a matter of making oneself aware so that they can make informed decisions.

References:

http://www.megaheart.com/foodlabels-definitions.html
http://www.healingwell.com/library/allergies/kaemmerer5.asp
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/
http://www.drrapp.com./