Straight Out of Oprah's Magazine

Last months bodywise section had a really good article about the expense of organic food and food additives to avoid by their resident medical doctor and Yale professor.

"The February 2006 issue of Consumer Reports contains a valuable overview of the subject, well worth tracking down at greenerchoices.org. It demonstrates the you don't always need to spend a lot more to buy organic and that buying organic is expecially important for some items (grapes, berries, apples, potatoes, and dairy but not others (bananas and seafood).

In terms of additives, I would advise you to avoid anything containing trans fats-they are harmful to the heart-and high-fructose corn syrup, which is a form of added sugar used in many processed foods. Also look out for monosodium glutamate,(MSG), which adds unneeded salt and may increase appetite. I have a low opinon of such artificial sweeteners as aspartame and sucralose; more intendsely sweet then sugar, they're likely to feed, and grow, a sweet tooth. I don't like sodium nitrate (table salt)or artificial colorings, either, but they are less of a priority to avoid. There is as yet no conclusive evidence that perservatives such as BHT and BHA have harmful effects."

David L. Katz, MD

There was also a small article about fresh/frozen and canned, which is the best.

Veggies straight from the farm are by far the best but frozen is close behind since it is processed and frozen with hours of harvesting. Frozen can be better then fresh in the grocery stores due to shelf life nutrient losses. Canned is last.

Lisa P.