Discussions

So the soup has too much salt. The bread has too much sugar. The meat has too much fat. The veggies have too much starch or carbs. You’ve really got to scour the food labels on everything and who’s to know if they are even telling the truth or are accurate. What about fish you say. I love fish but I don’t have a mortgage payment to pay for it. So it seems that when you do find something that’s good to eat you have to pay dearly for it. Is this how it’s supposed to be?

This is quite a complicated topic. People will have some very strong opinions.  
 
I'll give you my opinion but please do your own research and consider other points of view.  
 
I'd like to start of by saying everybodies microbiome is different. Your microbiome is the mix of bacteria in your gut, they help you process food.  
 
I'd say some general catch most advice would be to look into a cyclical ketogenic diet.  
 
Salt is good for your body and very important.  
Fat is good for your body, I'd avoid plant fats, except for olive oil.  
Protien is good for you. Keep it moderate unless youre working out.  
Choose clean carbs like potatoes, sweet potatoes. Eat as much leafy vegetables as you want, maybe avoid kale.  
Fruit only as a treat.  
 
Avoid sugar at all costs.

There are lots of things you can control..  
 
Home made soup is easy to make and usually easy to freeze if you need convenience..  
 
No knead bread takes literally 2 min of work and has no sugar. I make mine from whole wheat. Otherwise it's salt (all bread has lots of salt as a control agent for the yeast)., water and yeast.  
 
Meat has fat but some fat is good. There are lots of plant-based protein options (beans, lentils, tofu, quinoa, even pasta has a decent amount of protein although it counts as a carb) and eggs, while having fat from the yolk, are excellent. Also, we don't usually need as much protein as we think we do.  
 
Lots of veggies have carbs. To some degree, we designed them like that through selective breeding, but mostly it's because the plants need it to survive. Be aware of what you eat. Veggies that are energy storage organs like tubers and seeds with have more carbs than leaves and flowers, for example. That's why potatoes, corn and peas have lots of carbs, but broccoli and spinach do not. Carrots, parsnips and beets have lots, but cucumbers, cabbage and kale have less. But those carb heavy veggies still have tons of micronutrients you need. Eat them anyway in moderation.  
 
I found fish to be economical to buy as a whole, gutted head removed fish. I buy frozen salmon like that. Easy to prepare (just thaw, descale if needed, season and bake) and the bones are easy to remove. I can feed my large family for under $8 usually for the fish, with enough for salmon salad the next day.  
 
Don't pay too much attention to all the hype out there. Eat what you can afford, what is sustainable for you, and eat a variety. Watch how much sugar and salt, but unless medically recommended don't sweat it too much.  
 
We are omnivores. We have spread to every corner of the Earth in part because we can thrive on nearly anything. Ultra processed food is an issue for health because of it's high amounts of sugar, salt and fat, but it has also saved millions of people from starvation over the years.

If I could suggest: talk with a Dietitian about your current eating habits and how you can improve. A Dietitian can answer all the questions you have about food myths and fears. Dietitians are trained to provide you with the best information available on how to eat healthy and how to use food labels. A dietitian can also take your medical history into consideration and help you work through food intolerances, allergies, chronic diseases.  
The information you will get here will be coloured with personal opinions and may cause more confusion. The only thing that complicates the topic around food choices is all the misinformation being spread by media and by people who either do not know what they are talking about or are misrepresenting the research.  
 
Healthy eating is all about balance. You can enjoy your favorite foods even if they are high in calories, fat or added sugars. The key is eating them only once in a while, and balancing them out with healthier foods and more physical activity. Every day you can eat whole grains, all fruits and vegetables, lean meats and dairy (if tolerated)  
 
Edited by Spades!!, 2022-11-19 21:20:53

There are 3 main major nutrient groups. Carbohydrates, Protein and Fats. All 3 provide the nutrients humans need to stay healthy. If you have questions about what they are, check out these links.  
 
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/carbohydrates/art-20045705  
 
https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/healthy-eating-recommendations/make-it-a-habit-to-eat-vegetables-fruit-whole-grains-and-protein-foods/eat-protein-foods/  
 
https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/healthy-eating-recommendations/make-it-a-habit-to-eat-vegetables-fruit-whole-grains-and-protein-foods/choosing-foods-with-healthy-fats/  
 
Also included are a variety of vitamins and minerals that we need in smaller amounts. We can get a balance of vitamins and minerals by eating a variety of foods every day including whole grains, fruits and vegetables and dairy.

Sure, everyone needs some salt, but no one needs the 26% of recommended daily amount that is in a half cup of canned soup nor the 33% that you get from 3 or 4 slices of deli beef. How about the 88% in the package of a certain plant based mac and cheese now on store shelves? If you are someone with CHF, or high blood pressure, those kind of sodium levels can seriously shorten your life.  
 
But yes-home made soups are easy to make and far more healthy to eat than canned soups. Fish is expensive-but most kinds do go on sale from time to time. Roast beef, pork, chicken and use leftovers for sandwiches for work or school-much healthier than buying lunch meats!

To find a dietitian, you can call:  
 
Dial a Dietitian at 1 877 830-2892  
this is a health links number. But if you are patient and listen to the menu, it eventually asks you to 'press 2' to speak with a dietitian.  
 
If you live in the Westman/Brandon area you may prefer to call the PMH Chronic Disease Education number at  
1 877 509-7852 and ask to be put in touch with a dietitian  
 
Only call during the week Monday to Friday. You may have to wait for a call back.  
 
Edited by Spades!!, 2022-11-19 22:33:47

Avoid potatoes, maybe a good carb in moderation.. but lots of hidden sugar. Sweet potato is good in moderation. But then again everything is good in moderation.  
 
Spinach is good, but not good for those that have kidney issues

Gets really tricky when you have diabetes and kidney disease. One food that’s good for one disease is not good for the other. Grocery shopping becomes a real experience then. And not in a good way.

This is the problem with public forums, at times. Anyone that leads with "avoid potatoes" shouldn't be giving food advice to anyone.

I agree

If you have kidney disease and diabetes then yes the food choices for you will be far more complicated than someone who does not have kidney disease. No one on this site can provide you with answers. There are dietitians who work specifically with people with kidney disease. If you have not yet connected with them, call the Renal health unit or your doctor, get a referral and make an appointment.  
I suspect you posted out of frustration and I can totally appreciate that as food choices to manage kidney disease can be a challenge. This is what your dietitian is there for.  
 
Best of luck with that.