Today is a little random as I’m going to share a couple of different topics that don’t have anything to do with each other. The first is an article The Husband sent me and I feel compelled to share as it just might make you think twice before ordering those french fries, onion rings or any other fried food . . .
Have you ever heard of Acrylamide? Well, if not I’ll tell you a little about it and how and why you might want to cut some out of your diet. I am basing this on a recent article from Consumer Updates.
If you are trying to lose weight telling you to hold off ordering french fries is a bit of a no brainer, but cutting down on fried foods also helps cut down the amount of acrylmide you eat. High levels of acrylamide have been found to cause cancer in animals which makes scientists believe it can do the same to us humans.
This is what happens – this chemical acrylamide forms in some foods, mainly plant based foods, when they are cooked at high temperatures like frying and baking. It forms from sugars and an amino acid that are present in the food. It doesn’t form or is lower in dairy, meat and fish. So, think of foods like potatoes, cereals, coffee, crackers, breads and dried fruits. The article states that acrylamide has been around as long as folks have been roasting, toasting, frying and baking their foods, but this chemical was just discovered in 2002. Since that time the FDA has been investigating the effect of acrylamide and ways to lower it.
In order to decrease the amount of this chemical here are the articles recommendations:
- Frying causes acrylamide formation. If frying frozen fries, follow manufacturers’ recommendations on time and temperature and avoid overcooking, heavy crisping or burning.
- Toast bread to a light brown color rather than a dark brown color. Avoid very brown areas.
- Cook cut potato products such as frozen french fries to a golden yellow color rather than a brown color. Brown areas tend to contain more acrylamide.
- Do not store potatoes in the refrigerator, which can increase acrylamide during cooking. Keep potatoes outside the refrigerator in a dark, cool place, such as a closet or a pantry.
- Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk products.
- Include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts.
- Choose foods low in saturated fats, trans fat (which both raises your bad LDL cholesterol and lowers your good HDL cholesterol and is linked to heart attacks), cholesterol, salt and added sugars.
This article appears on FDA’s Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.
November 14, 2013
See full article here.
Now, moving on to the next Friday topic. It has something to do with this picture which you may have seen on this blog before.
1. Folks who text and drive. That should be enough said, but it goes further. Those who text, email, Facebook or whatever at redlights causing me to sit through THREE lights. Unexcuseable. Watch the dang light, will you?? I feel as if I don’t pass a single car on the road where I don’t see their eyes downcast looking at their phones. Rarely do I see eyes on the road, or looking at me as I wave to them!
2. Folks who post all those photos of themselves and their killer abs all over social media.
3. Crazy parents and coaches of little league teams who have completely forgotten, or never learned, the real lessons that are learned on the playing field. These are little kiddos out there. These are not NFL, NBA or MLB games.
4. Explaining stupid, immoral and illegal acts by politicans, mayors, athletes and celebrities to my children and how these folks can think their behavior is in any way appropriate.
5. Lots of waste. I live in Atlanta and the big talk around here this week is that the Atlanta Braves are moving from their current stadium in Fulton County to Cobb county at the whopping number of six hundred plus million dollars. That is an enormous amount of money. It will also require an enormous amount of land, natural resources and other expenses for this project. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for the Braves, but I cannot get past how much our state could use this amount of money to solve so many of our current problems.
6. And dare I even mention the confusion and upheaval caused by Obamacare?
There you have it. The things that have tried to ruffle my feathers this week. I’m holding firm, though. These folks are not going to steal my joy . . .
So, are you worried about acrylamaide? Will you hold off that order of fries? How do you feel about Fridays? Anything ruffle your feathers this week or did you just keep your joy?
I’m thankful for it being Friday, my boys are on the mend from various bugs AND for a warm bowl of soup on a cold, wet day! I couldn’t limit it to one today!
Make it a Great day!
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