Day 132- Nutrition Bite

In some countries, apart from being kept as pets, certain breeds of dogs are raised on farms and slaughtered for their meat. In parts of the world where dogs are kept as pets, people generally consider the use of dogs for food to be a social taboo. Though the consumption of dog meat is generally viewed as taboo in Western culture, some Westerners support the right to eat dog meat and accuse other Westerners who protest against dog eating in other countries of cultural imperialism and intolerance. ~according to Wikepdia

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)

Energy 260 kcal
Carbohydrates 0.1 g
- Dietary fiber 0 g
Fat 20.2 g
Protein 19 g
Water 60.1 g
Vitamin A equiv. 3.6 μg 0%
Thiamin (Vit. B1) 0.12 mg 9%
Riboflavin (Vit.B2)0.18 mg 12%
Niacin (Vit. B3) 1.9 mg 13%
Vitamin C 3 mg 5%
Calcium 8 mg 1%
Iron 2.8 mg 22%
Phosphorus 168 mg 24%
Potassium 270 mg 6%
Sodium 72 mg 5%
Ash 0.8 g

Sugar Preacher's Experience

A reader asked if dog meat is healthy. I listed the nutritional value above. Dog meat seems to be high in protein and fat with the addition of vitamins and mineral. There are foods that provide less nutrients than dog meat; for example, donuts, candy, and cake. Personally, I require a small amount of meat--consuming it about once a week. If you want to try dog meat, visit China!!

Day 102- Nutrition Bite

"Chef Dominique Valadier starts each day at 5:30 a.m. just as the fish market opens in the southern French provincial town of Salon de Provence. On one particular day, he picked up 20 pounds of fresh, live mussels at the market before heading off to Lycee de 'Emperi, the public high school where he is the cook. At the school, he prepares meals for about 800 students, using all fresh and local ingredients. The introduction of healthy school lunch programs, like this one, is one major reason France has been able to curb childhood obesity rates after two decades on the rise according to two recent studies.The menu for this day at Valadier's high school: mussels in cream sauce over rice with leeks and stuffed turkey thighs, accompanied by a squash au gratin casserole." Click on NPR link to listen to how Chef Valadier proves school lunch can be healthy. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91687769

Sugar Preacher's Experience
I don't believe I've ever eaten mussels in cream sauce with leeks, and definitely not in the public school system. My school lunch memories were chicken sandwiches with thin white buns and nasty fries. In junior high school, the candy machines were a temptation, and lunch was a bag of chips everyday for a year. By the time high school rolled around, I was not interested in school lunch and usually ate fast food off campus. I would have loved Chef Valadier as my school lunch chef!

Day 52-Nutritional Bite

Diets Around the World- Egypt
The Ahmed family of Cairo, Egypt spends 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53 a week on food. Ancient Egypt lifestyle depicts the love for food on the tomb and temple carvings. These ruins depict large feasts and a variety of foods. Many of these ancient foods are still eaten in Egyptian households today. Peas, beans, cucumbers, dates, figs, and grapes were popular fruits and vegetables in ancient times. Wheat and barley (ancient staple crops) were used to make bread and beer. Fish and poultry were also common. Egypt has a variety of national dishes. Ful (bean paste), tahini (sesame paste), koushari (lentils, macaroni, rice, and chickpeas), aish baladi (a pita-like bread), kofta (spicy, minced lamb), and kebab (grilled lamb pieces) are the most popular. In Egypt more than 25 percent of 4-year-olds are fat.
http://www.foodbycountry.com/Algeria-to-France/Egypt.html
http://www.annecollins.com/obesity/child-obesity-stats.htm

Sugar Preacher’s Experience
Childhood obesity is not only a national epidemic but is becoming a worldwide epidemic. In NYC, many programs are underway to combat childhood obesity. I think restructuring the food system may work best. For example, government regulations could require a certain amount of healthy and unhealthy foods sold in grocery stores, delis, convenient stores, bodegas, etc… Government subsidization of local farmers might be beneficial also.

Day 51-Nutritional Bite

Diets Around the World- Germany
The Melander family of Bargteheide, Germany spends 375.39 Euros or $588.75 for one week of food. Germans tend to eat ample portions of meat and bread. Pork, beef, and poultry are the main varieties of meat consumed in Germany, with pork being the most popular. Frankfurt, Germany is known as the home of the sausage or Wüstchenins. The U.S. hot dog is similar to the Wüstchenin and coined the "frankfurter" after the German city. Germany produces more than 1500 types of sausage and more than 300 types of bread. Some Germans eat potatoes with pears, bacon, and beans known as birnen, bohnen und speck. The most popular vegetables are potatoes, cabbage, carrots, turnip, spinach and beans. Organic food has gained an approximate market share of 3.0% and is predicted to be an increasing trend. A popular saying in Germany is: "Breakfast like an emperor, lunch like a king, and dine like a beggar." Breakfast is usually a selection of cereals and jam or honey with bread. Some Germans eat cold meats or cheese with bread for breakfast. The national drink is beer with consumption per person declining but still among the highest in the world. The obesity rate was 12.9% in 2003 and 13.6% in 2005, which is fairly low compared to other countries.
http://www.foodbycountry.com/Germany-to-Japan/Germany.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany

Sugar Preacher's Experience
When I was in Germany, I indulged at the pastry shops. If I return, I'll be visiting the organic food markets as a sugar shunner. The last few days, I have been craving sugar. I made chocolate bonbons with brown rice syrup, and my cravings were satisfied. I like the German saying "Breakfast like an emperor, lunch like a king, and dine like a beggar." It probably contributes to the low obesity rate.

Day 50-Nutritional Bite

Diets Around the World- Poland
The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna, Poland spends 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27 for one week of food. The cereal grains are among the country's most important dietary staples. These include wheat, rye, buckwheat, and barley. Popular foods in Polish cuisine include Polish sausage, red beet soup, Polish dumplings, flaczki (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, Polish traditional stew, various potato dishes, a fast-food sandwich zapiekanka, and much more. Traditional Polish desserts include Polish doughnuts. In Poland nearly 20% of the population suffers from obesity. In Poland obsesity once symbolized wealth and success; a fat child was a healthy and happy child. In the free market reality, extra pounds are no longer a virtue.
http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Poland.html
http://incentraleurope.radio.cz/ice/health/81096

Sugar Preacher's Experience
In the past, obesity was a symbol of wealth and success. With the advancement of scientific knowledge, we know the risk factors associated with obesity. It is interesting how values and virtues change over time.

Day 49-Nutritional Bite

Diets Around the World- Ecuador
The Ayme family of Tingo, Ecuador spend $31.55 for their weekly food expenditure. Ecuador food mainly consists of fruits and vegetable because they are grown locally. The high quality of seafood and exotic fruits can make a healthy meal. Ecuador's national and regional dishes include lemon marinated shrimp, toasted corn, and patties stuffed with minced spicy meat. Ecuador is also known for their soups such as Locro soup consisting of cheese, avocado, and potato. Aji is an important hot sauce used in Ecuadorian cuisine. Ecuador is going through a transitional phase from a food aid recipient to a self-sufficient country. The World Food Program has been working very closely with the government of Ecuador to ensure the issues of hunger and malnutrition are being addressed.On the other extreme, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has been recently recognized in Ecuador. In 2004, 40.4 percent of women were overweight and 14.1 percent were obese. At greatest risk are the urban poor because of factors associated with urbanization and globalization.
http://www.mapsofworld.com/ecuador/food/index.html
http://www.wfp.org/country_brief/indexcountry.asp?country=218

Sugar Preacher's Experience
Obesity is becoming a worldwide epidemic with globalization. The occupational structure is changing from less blue collar to white collar, which leads to a sedentary lifestyle. The rise of efficient technology associated with the obesity epidemic because it is eliminating manual labor jobs. In corporate America, the workstations with a computer desk and a built-in treadmill might not be a bad idea! I know that I can easily gain 5 lbs a week sitting at a desk all day.

Day 48-Nutritional Bite

Diets Around the World- Israel

Israel's diverse population is represented by over 70 countries. The diversity contributes to the various cuisine in Israel. The traditional Jewish and Mediterranean dishes influence the Israel diet. Typical foods in Israel include flat bread, lentils, fresh fruit and nuts, raw vegetables, lamb, beef, and dairy products, including goat cheese and many types of yogurt. Some dishes feature grilled meats and fish, stuffed vegetables, and traditional spicy Mediterranean salads and spreads, such as fava bean spread. Typical dishes are stews, schnitzel, cheese-filled crepes, matzo balls, and latkes (potato pancakes). Some of the world's best citrus comes from Israel. Israel does not have a national dish, by many believe it is felafel. Felafel is made from seasoned mashed chickpeas, formed into balls and fried. Felafel is typically served in a pita pocket with tahini and a lemon-flavored sesame sauce. Street vendors sell felafel sandwiches throughout Israel. A recent study concluded that Israel joined the universal obesity trend.
http://eurpub.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/18/2/121
http://www.foodbycountry.com/

http://humus101.com/EN/2008/02/11/inside-the-israeli-pita/

Day 47-Nutritional Bite

Diets Around the World- Mexico
The Casales Family of Cuernavaca spends 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $177.89 for their weekly food expenditure. Mexico will probably surpass the United States in obesity rates for the first time next year. Mexicans are adopting fast food and sedentary lifestyles from their northern neighbors. A government study on income and spending showed Mexicans, whose traditional diet is based on corn and beans, spent 29.3 percent less on fruits and vegetables in 1998 than in 1984. In the same period, soft drink purchases increased 37.2 percent. Traditional Mexican cuisine is known for its intense and varied flavors, colorful decoration, and variety of spices. Most of today's Mexican food is based on pre-hispanic traditions, including the Aztecs and Mayans, combined with culinary trends introduced by Spanish colonists. The conquistadores eventually combined their imported diet of rice, beef, pork, chicken, wine, garlic and onions with the native pre-Columbian food, including maize, tomato, vanilla, avocado, papaya, pineapple, chile pepper, beans, squash, limes, sweet potato, peanuts and turkey.The most internationally recognized dishes include tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and burritos.
http://www.banderasnews.com/0511/hb-obesityrates.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico

Sugar Preacher's Experience
Several years ago, I participated in a 50-mile race in Mexico. At the finish line, we were greeted with hundreds of taco stands instead of fruit and sports drinks. I was so famished that the Tacos satisfied my hunger. I love Mexican food!! However, a typical burrito can be 50% fat.

Day 46-Nutritional Bite

Diets Around the World- Italy

The Manzo family of Sicily spends 214.36 Euros or $331.11 on food for one week. Italians are known throughout the world for pizza, pasta, and tomato sauce. The national diet of Italy has traditionally differed greatly by region. Staple dishes in the north were rice and polenta; and pasta was most popular throughout the south. During the last decades, pasta and pizza (another traditional southern food) became popular in northern Italy. Pasta is more likely to be served with a white cheese sauce in the north and a tomato-based sauce in the south. Italians are known for the use of herbs in cooking, especially oregano, basil, thyme, parsley, rosemary, and sage. More than 400 types of cheese are made in Italy, with Parmesan, mozzarella, and Asiago among the best known worldwide. A healthy life expectancy at birth is 71 to 75 years old. Childhood obesity is less than 10% in Italy.
http://www.foodbycountry.com/Germany-to-Japan/Italy.html 

http://www.iotf.org/media/euobesity3.pdf

Sugar Preacher's Experience
As I studied the Italian School Lunch Program, I enjoyed reading the role food plays in their culture. When Italian children come home from school, most parents quiz their children regarding the food eaten at lunch. In my home, I remember my parents drilling me about what I learned at school. Both are good topics to discuss with children. The contrast was interesting.

Day 45-Nutritional Bite

Diets Around the World- Bhutan

Families from Bhutan spend 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03 for their weekly food expenditure. Bhutan is located in the Himalayan mountains, and 80% of their livelihood is from agriculture. The geographical advantages create fertile soil with dense vegetation and wildlife. Rice, buckwheat, and maize are the staple foods of the country. The diet also includes pork, beef, yak, meat, chicken, and mutton. Emadatshi, soup made very spicy with cheese and chilies, is a popular national dish. Dairy foods are common, and almost all milk is turned into butter and cheese. Popular beverages include butter tea, tea, locally brewed rice wine and beer. Bhutan is the only country in the world to have banned the sale of tobacco. The life expectancy was 66.1 years in 2003. With the change of life-style from the agrarian society to a more complex modern and competitive society, rheumatic heart diseases, diabetes, cancer, and especially cervical cancer are on the increase. Presently, most of the cancer cases are referred to care outside the country. The government is now initiating actions to have programs in place to deal with the increase of these diseases.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhutan

http://www.searo.who.int/en/Section313/Section1517_10813.htm

Sugar Preacher's Experience

Interesting.... cancer is uncommon in Bhutan, and patients are referred to doctors outside of the country. Common diseases in an industrialized society are uncommon in an agrarian society. I can't imagine living in an agrarian community, but there are plenty of benefits such as less cancer and diabetes.

Day 44-Nutritional Bite

Diets Around the World- United States

The average family in North Carolina spends $341.98 for weekly food expenditures. The American life expectancy is 77.8 years. Over the past two decades, the U .S. ranking in life expectancy has dropped from 11th to 42nd place worldwide. One-third of the adult population is obese, and an additional third is overweight. Health care professionals consider obesity-related Type 2 diabetes an epidemic. The obesity epidemic is associated with the American diet consisting of apple pie, fried chicken, pizza, french fries, potato chips, chocolate chip cookies, hamburgers, and hot dogs, etc.. These popular American foods where derived from immigrants. Frequent dining at fast food establishments, a sedentary lifestyle, and a 24% rise in caloric intake all contribute to the obesity epidemic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States

Sugar Preacher's Experience

The food expenditure and food choice comparison between Chad and the U.S. is interesting. The contrast reflects the malnourishment of one country and the over-nourishment of another country. I am amazed at how much junk food we consume, and the small amount of food consumed by the family in Chad. I have a desire to eat less and waste less after studying diets around the world!

Day 43-Nutritional Bite

Diets Around the World- Chad

The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp in Chad, Africa spends 685 CFA Francs or $1.23 on food for one week. The most fertile land in Chad is the southernmost region, which yields sorghum and millet. Millet is the staple food throughout Chad. It is used to make balls of paste that are dipped in sauces. In the north, this dish is known as alysh; in the south, as biya. Fish is popular, which is generally prepared and sold either as salanga (sun-dried and lightly smoked) or as banda (smoked larger fish). The Sahara's scattered oasis support only some dates and legumes. Carcaje is a popular sweet drink extracted from hibiscus leaves. Alcoholic beverages, though absent in the north, are popular in the south. People drink millet beer, known as billi-billi. Malnourishment in Chad is 34 percent (FAO), and life expectancy is 43.6 years (UNDP).

http://www.alertnet.org/db/crisisprofiles/TD_HUN.htm?v=at_a_glance

Sugar Preacher's Experience

Millet is know as "the queen of grains." Millet is densely nutritious, alkalizing, and provides a cooling effect on the body. My grandmother has lived a long healthy life for 91 years, and her daily breakfast consists of steamed millet. We should eat more millet in America and increase the average life expectancy to 90 years! 

Day 42-Nutritional Bite

Diets Around the World- Zimbabwe

The majority of Zimbabweans depend on a few staple foods. "Mealie meal" is used to prepare bota and sadzu eaten at least five times a week. Bota is a porridge made by mixing the cornmeal with water to produce a thick paste. This is usually flavored with peanut butter, milk, and butter. Bota is usually eaten for breakfast. Cornmeal is also used to make sadza, which is usually eaten for dinner and lunch. Sadza is prepared similarly to bota and served with spinach, collard greens, beans, and meat. However, meat consumption is not very common due to the falling economy. Meat eaten is edible caterpillars, dried fish, ostrich, warthog, and crocodile tail. About 39 percent of Zimbabweans are classified as undernourished by the World Bank. Of the Zimbabwean children under the age of five, about 16 percent are underweight, and more than one-fifth are stunted (short for their age). Zimbabwean's have a 4.2% obesity rate.

http://www.foodbycountry.com/Spain-to-Zimbabwe-Cumulative-Index/Zimbabwe.html

Sugar Preacher's Experience

Cornmeal three times a day would get old. We are spoiled to have thousands of food choices a day. I may be over-nourished at times with so many greens and grains!!