We invite everyone to come to our fresh and convenient Pathfinder
Produce markets this week, where we feature a wide variety of healthy, yummy
fruits and vegetables. Our market staff is ready to help you with your family's
produce needs, so you and your family may enjoy some of the best flavors
around. Our market in Edmeston is on Thursdays, from 1 to 5 at the
Pathfinder Village Commons, and we’re in Morris at the UMC on Fridays, from
noon to 5 p.m.
Our Dash to the Splash crew is going strong on its 8 week journey
to take part in Splash Path, our fun 5k paint walk and run that will take place
on Saturday, May 20. The Dash folks are now up to their third week in
training, which means they will follow this regimen:
|
Mon. (Today)
|
Wed.
|
Fri. or Sat.
|
|
5 min. brisk walk (BW)
1.5 min. jogging (J)
1.5 min. BW
3 min. J
3 min. BW
3 min. J
3 min. BW
3 min. walking (W)
|
5 min. BW
3 min. J
1.5 min BW
5 min. J
2.5 min. BW
3 min J
1.5 min BW
5 min J
3 min W
|
Repeat Wed.
|
There's still time to sign up for Splash Path, so we encourage
you to join in the fun. Sign up at splashpath.racewire.com
using the quick and easy online registration form.
***
Recently, National Public Radio has featured a number of stories
highlighting the diabetes epidemic that is now affecting Mexico's population.
According to reports, about 14% of the adult population has been diagnosed with
Type 2 diabetes, and their healthcare system isn't prepared to support that
many diabetics. NPR indicated this dramatic rise has taken place over two
decades, and is attributable to diets that are now higher in sugar and fat
levels.
The NPR article further adds that, “A study in 2015 showed
Mexico to be the leading consumer of junk food in Latin America, consuming 450
pounds of ultra-processed foods and sugary beverages per person each year.” To combat
this epidemic, the Mexican government is now imposing taxes on sweetened
drinks, has worked to place healthier foods in schools, and has prevented young
children from being targeted by junk food ads.
Type 2 diabetes, also
known as adult-onset diabetes, happens when one’s body resists the way insulin
regulates the metabolism of sugar, or doesn’t produce enough insulin to
maintain normal blood sugar levels. While there is no cure for Type 2
diabetes, according to the Mayo
Clinic, by eating well, exercising, and in some instances taking meds or
relying on insulin, the condition can be managed.
Americans are hooked on sugar and fat too – news stories from a year ago
indicated that Americans now get most of their calories from highly processed
foods: “In a study published in the journal BMJ
Open, scientists led by Carlos Monteiro at University of Sao Paolo found
that nearly 60% of an American’s daily calories come from
ultra-processed food, which Monteiro and his colleagues defined as food that
contains ingredients such as flavors, colors, sweeteners and hydrogenated oils,
emulsifiers and other additives that you wouldn't cook with at home.”
The USP study also pinpointed, for the first time, that this
type of processed food is the main source of added sugar in the U.S. diet.
Meanwhile, the report shows, “Americans get less than 1% of their daily
calories from vegetables.”
Not surprisingly, these statistics are reflected in the rise in Type 2 diabetes in the U.S., where between 9 to 12% of the population is diagnosed,
and where it is now the seventh leading cause of death each year. This compares
to less than one percent
of Americans who had Type 2 diabetes in 1958, a time when most relied on
unprocessed or minimally processed ingredients.
So what can we do to protect and improve our health? Essentially,
we have to become better consumers, more self-reliant, and cook more at home.
According to the website, 100 Days of Real Food,
we should follow this list as much as possible:
1. Read
ingredients labels. If something has unfamiliar, unpronounceable ingredients,
you may not want to buy that item.
2. Increase
your consumption of whole foods, especially fruits and veggies.
3. Buy your
bread from a bakery, or make your own if you can. (Think how much bread you eat
each week!)
4. Select
whole grain breads, pastas, and cereals. Read the ingredients to make sure the
product is made with only 100% whole grains, and not
whole and processed grain blends.
5. Avoid
store-bought products containing high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and those with other forms of
sweeteners listed among the top three ingredients.
6. Don’t
order off the kids’ menu when eating out: Try assembling side items,
like baked potatoes and whatever vegetables your kids will eat, or try sharing
some of your meal.
7. Visit
farmers’ markets for local fresh produce.
8. Lastly,
“eat all the junk food you want as long as you make it yourself.” By
eating sweets and fatty foods only as often as you are willing to make them at
home, you will automatically reduce your consumption.
Other advice is found through the growing Slow Foods movement …
you can find ideas at their blog at https://www.slowfoodusa.org/slow-food-usa-blog.
Until next time, eat well and be well!
Lori
