Laws to make you healthier

[NJFemmie]

One of the reasons I don't care to eat out that often is because I don't always know what they are putting in their foods. I'm on blood pressure meds, so I have to be diligent on sodium intake. (I'm not always so diligent, but I try, lol..)

I don't think it's a "bad" idea (as a general rule of thumb), but at the same time, I think it's a bit much in terms of government taxing/fines. I agree that it's not the government's place to dictate how we eat.

[Apocalipstic]

Originally Posted by NJFemmie

One of the reasons I don't care to eat out that often is because I don't always know what they are putting in their foods. I'm on blood pressure meds, so I have to be diligent on sodium intake. (I'm not always so diligent, but I try, lol..)

I don't think it's a "bad" idea (as a general rule of thumb), but at the same time, I think it's a bit much in terms of government taxing/fines. I agree that it's not the government's place to dictate how we eat.

Maybe the law should be to better disclose what is in the food and have healthy options available?

[NJFemmie]

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

Maybe the law should be to better disclose what is in the food and have healthy options available?

I thought there was one - or is that just for labels? Even in that case, they manage to get around it - something might be labeled no salt added - but if you investigate the label, there are sodium sources disguised as "poly-bigasslongname-odium" or something like that, lol. They may not add more to it, but they fail to tell you there's sodium already in there.

When I cook at home, I know exactly what goes in it.

[Apocalipstic]

Originally Posted by NJFemmie

I thought there was one - or is that just for labels? Even in that case, they manage to get around it - something might be labeled no salt added - but if you investigate the label, there are sodium sources disguised as "poly-bigasslongname-odium" or something like that, lol. They may not add more to it, but they fail to tell you there's sodium already in there.

When I cook at home, I know exactly what goes in it.

It must be by state. In TN menus do not have ingredients disclosed. I don't think I have seen that in KY, CA or NYC either. Maybe you have to ask for it?

I am allergic to peanuts and am always looking food not cooked in peanut oil and am amazed at how often serves have zero idea.

[Selenay]

Here's the thing. . .

If the government of NYC can mandate that you can't use trans-fats,
And if the government of NYC can mandate that you can't use salt,
And if the government of NYC can tax you for the sugar in soda,

What next?

A tax for not going to the gym?
A tax for having a BMI over 25?
A tax for not buying organic?


Where does it stop?

[Soft*Silver]

you know, they couldnt win the Pro Choice arguement so they had to get involved in the rights to eat salt or not...

one way or another they are going to control our bodies...

no, seriously....whats the platform here? Is it really a health issue? If so, why not eliminate coffee? How about sweet n low at the tables? Oh wait... chemicals to clean the bathrooms pose a health risk so maybe .... Tap water should NEVER be served... and while we are at it, free range eggs should only be offered. Forget ordering pancakes and eggs for under $10 anymore.

I as an adult make the choices of what goes in my body..through ALL orifices. No one has the right to tell me what I can or cant do with my orifices. If I want to eat salt until my tongue falls out from dehydration, thats my perogative.

The thought that we could CHOSE what goes into our restaurant meals brings visuals of ingredient boxes next to the pretty pictures in the menu.

and so, if its a choice, will the restaurants jump on this and charge EXTRA for salt or other "additives"?

We are a capitalistic society and this would certainly be a possible outcome...

I need to go let off some steam...

[Apocalipstic]

I think the gov. needs to stay out of it.

Originally Posted by Selenay

Here's the thing. . .

If the government of NYC can mandate that you can't use trans-fats,
And if the government of NYC can mandate that you can't use salt,
And if the government of NYC can tax you for the sugar in soda,

What next?

A tax for not going to the gym?
A tax for having a BMI over 25?
A tax for not buying organic?


Where does it stop?

Originally Posted by softness

you know, they couldnt win the Pro Choice arguement so they had to get involved in the rights to eat salt or not...

one way or another they are going to control our bodies...

no, seriously....whats the platform here? Is it really a health issue? If so, why not eliminate coffee? How about sweet n low at the tables? Oh wait... chemicals to clean the bathrooms pose a health risk so maybe .... Tap water should NEVER be served... and while we are at it, free range eggs should only be offered. Forget ordering pancakes and eggs for under $10 anymore.

I as an adult make the choices of what goes in my body..through ALL orifices. No one has the right to tell me what I can or cant do with my orifices. If I want to eat salt until my tongue falls out from dehydration, thats my perogative.

The thought that we could CHOSE what goes into our restaurant meals brings visuals of ingredient boxes next to the pretty pictures in the menu.

and so, if its a choice, will the restaurants jump on this and charge EXTRA for salt or other "additives"?

We are a capitalistic society and this would certainly be a possible outcome...

I need to go let off some steam...

[Dylan]

I think if governmental agencies want to start cutting out unhealthy ingredients from our food, they should start with packaging plants.

That said, I'm all for forcing restaurants to cut the crap

Hydrogenated oils, salts, trans fats, etc shouldn't be used by restaurants. They're a cheap alternative to healthier options. But then, I also think restaurants should have to serve normal portion sizes too. Serving actual portion sizes while reducing crap, filler ingredients would balance the cost of using real ingredients.

In the fifties, so many horrid things started being added to foods in an effort to get the consumer to buy more and to help the companies make big profits. The bottom line was profits. High fructose corn syrup is one of the number one causes of the diabetes and obesity dilemmas in this country. The over sodium-zation of food products again is all about profits for big corporations, and it has lead to unhealthy population. Very FEW restaurants NEED to use salt in their recipes. Most restaurants don't use the highest quality products...ergo, there's already plenty of salt in the ingredients they use. They add it, not necessarily because it's NEEDED in the recipe, but because Americans are soooooooo over-sodium-ed that people would think the food 'tastes bland' if the restaurants didn't use salt. Personally, I find it pretty disgusting that Americans are so over-saturated in the chemicals which are added to their foods that they can't taste the crap anymore. Americans can't taste the salt that's added to everything from sodas to chicken breasts. They can't taste the high fructose corn syrup (I have a personal vengeance against hfcs) that forces them to eat more and more. They can't taste the hydrogenated oils that sit in and clog up their arteries until their bodies just explode.

It's just disgusting to me. And what's more disgusting to me is the fact that Americans are so unhappy about giving them up. These products weren't introduced to American taste-buds because they're delicious and good for us...we were introduced to them, so companies could make exorbitant profits off of our (dead) bodies.

Yeah, something *should* be done to eradicate these items from our food. The LAST thing people need from a restaurant (rarely serving fresh food) is MORE salt.


My Two Nickels,
Dylan

[Abigail Crabby]

While I'm an advocate of low sodium whenever possible I don't think the Govt needs to step in and take over for my ability to choose.

I'd rather they focus on stronger drunk driving and sexual predator laws.

For goodness sake!!!!

[Apocalipstic]

The more we let the governemt interfere......

[Dylan]

OK, just re-read, and the article says the bill would ban the use of salt in kitchens, but that salt shakers would still be available on tables.

Ergo, One could still have their gun AND their salt shaker...it just means The Kitchen can't point the gun nor the salt AT One

Dylan

[Apocalipstic]

Originally Posted by Dylan

OK, just re-read, and the article says the bill would ban the use of salt in kitchens, but that salt shakers would still be available on tables.

Ergo, One could still have their gun AND their salt shaker...it just means The Kitchen can't point the gun nor the salt AT One

Dylan

Ah thanks for the clarification!

Maybe they will delete MSG too while they are at it.

[Andrew, Jr.]

If our gov't is so concerned about the obesity epidemic, bring back gym to the classroom. If they are so concerned about diabetes, let diabetics get free equipment, blood tests, and equipment. Don't talk about eating healthy and exercising when food prices are thru the roof, and joining a gym are high.

It really is about universal healthcare coverage for everyone, healthy or chronically sick.

Smoking cigars, pipes, cigarettes is a personal choice. The same for alcohol. The gov't is getting too personal with these issues. They have no business in regulating these. None at all. We are not a socialist country. It makes my ears perk up when the gov't wants to control more and more. I worry about the future.

I have to say I don't trust our gov't. Look at our vets fighting agent orange. Or the ones coming back from Iraq with lost limbs, ptsd, and so on and on.

[Dylan]

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

Ah thanks for the clarification!

Maybe they will delete MSG too while they are at it.

I haven't read that much about it, and I think I'm too afraid to

I've obviously invested all of my time in hfcs (ohhhhhhhh, it makes me so mad, I just wanna shake my fist)

Can you give a brief run down of what it does to your body? All I know about are headaches.


Dylan

[Apocalipstic]

Originally Posted by Dylan

I haven't read that much about it, and I think I'm too afraid to

I've obviously invested all of my time in hfcs (ohhhhhhhh, it makes me so mad, I just wanna shake my fist)

Can you give a brief run down of what it does to your body? All I know about are headaches.


Dylan

It is a flavor enhansor...has a lot of possible side effects!

Numbness

Burning sensation

Tingling

Facial pressure or tightness

Chest pain

Headache

Nausea

Rapid heartbeat

Drowsiness

Weakness

Difficulty breathing for asthmatics

Palpitations, Slow heartbeat, Angina, Extreme rise or drop in blood pressure

Swelling

Diarrhea, Nausea/vomiting, Stomach cramps, Rectal bleeding, Bloating

Flu-like achiness, Joint pain, Stiffness

Depression, Mood swings, Rage reactions, Migraine headache, Dizziness, Light-headedness, Loss of balance, Disorientation, Mental confusion, Anxiety, Panic attacks, Hyperactivity, Behavioral problems in children, Attention deficit disorders, Lethargy, Sleepiness, Insomnia, Numbness or paralysis, Seizures, Sciatica, Slurred speech, Chills and shakes, Shuddering

Blurred vision, Difficulty focusing, Pressure around eyes

Shortness of breath, Chest pain, Tightness in the chest, Runny nose, Sneezing

Bladder pain (with frequency), Swelling of the prostate, Swelling of the vagina, Vaginal spotting, Frequent urination

Hives (may be both ..internal and external), Rash, Mouth lesions, Temporary tightness or partial paralysis, numbness or tingling of the skin, Flushing, Extreme dryness of the mouth, Face swelling, Tongue swelling, Bags under eyes

And more, if one is sensitive to it.....

[julieisafemme]

I am not sure how removing salt from restaurant kitchens is going to be helpful or healthful. Some food needs to be salted during cooking to taste yummy. I can't imagine cooking without salt. The problem I see are folks who salt the food that comes to the table without even tasting it. Chefs need salt in the kitchen!!!! Salt is not a man made chemical. It has been around a long time. HFCS and MSG are not good and should be banned from food. It is possible when ordering to ask that things not be salted more. Some things are made ahead and will already have salt in them. More is added when cooking the order.

[MsDemeanor]

This would shut down the bakery industry, since pretty much every cookie, cake, and pie recipe uses a bit of salt. Not every recipe in a kitchen is completely from scratch either, and a lot of the pre-made ingredients have salt in them. Will he want to fine every restaurant that makes Italian food if the kitchen uses canned tomato sauce, paste, etc.? What about the pretzel vendors, will they have to sell only naked pretzels?

This is clearly a case of some dolt wanting to get his fifteen minutes of fame. This is also clearly a dolt who has never had to cook a meal for himself in his entire life