I enjoy eating but I try to watch what I eat. I try to eat stuff that is good for me. I am finding out that is harder than I would have ever guessed. Let’s just take one example, nitrites. Why then, you ask, does my title include nitrates? The answer is that nitrates can turn into nitrites during digestion.
Nitrites are added to processed meats to kill bacteria, especially the kind that causes botulism. Unfortunately, nitrites also combine with amines, the natural breakdown products of proteins, to form cancer-causing nitrosamines. OK, so let us just eat vegetables. No, that will not work either. Nitrites and nitrates are found everywhere in plants, including vegetables and grains.
Here is a paragraph from http://www.ehow.com/list_5939063_list-foods-high-nitrites.html that tells what vegetables contain nitrates and nitrites:
"In terms of vegetables, green leafy ones and root vegetables contain high levels of nitrate that are converted to nitrites on ingestion. Vegetables such as beetroot, radish, lettuce and spinach have high levels of nitrate which can convert into nitrites. Lettuce and spinach have especially high levels of nitrate. You will also find nitrates and consequently nitrites in carrots as well. The levels of nitrates depend upon the age of the vegetable and how much of a nitrate based fertilizer was used on it."
Well, dang, I am hungry. Guess I will go have my nitrites and nitrates and whatever. .
Worry will do you more harm than the nitrates and nitrites in vegetables.
ReplyDeleteAt our age, we should just enjoy eating, at least!
ReplyDeleteGetting to the point that nearly everything is bad for us or too expensive to enjoy!
But you know, we have to have SOME vices, right?
What OldFool said. and the FDA is hazardous to your health!!
ReplyDeleteHell,at out age, if you want it.. EAT IT!!! Live to be a hundred and prove them all wrong!!! :-)
Oldfoor, you are so right about worry. It will send you to an early grave or wish you had.
ReplyDeleteHermit, for sure on the vices, mine is dark chocolate and Blue Bell's Choocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream.
Ben, I agree that the FDA is hasardous to our healt, for sure. I still watch what I eat, may not let me live any longer but want to be healthy up until I croak.
We've got to eat something, right?
ReplyDeleteJust wait, there will be another study that will claim it's good for you.
Sixbears, I can't wait until icecream is classified as a health food.
ReplyDeleteI too love flea markets. I'm a people watcher...flea markets attract all kinds! I try to eat food as close to how nature made it. Let the chips fall where they may.
ReplyDelete