Frequently Asked Questions About Food

FOOD

Should fruit be peeled before eating to get rid of the insecticides ? Is salt water fish saltier than fresh water fish ? What kind of oil is the least fatty, and therefore the least fattening ? These are questions we often ask ourselves. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about food as based on studies done by nutritionists.

Is red meat more fortifying than white chicken meat ?

A food's body-building capacity depends upon the amount of protein it contains. In this regard, red meat and poultry are equal.

Are certain cuts of meat more nutritious than others ?

This is sometimes true. The more muscle tissue a cut of meat has, the more nutritious it is. The more the connective tissue, or cartilage, the less nutritious it is.

Are eggs a complete food ?

No. Although eggs are rich in proteins and contain almost all the elements necessary for healthy development, they contain neither glucides nor vitamin C.

Are the fats contained in fish "good" fats ?

Yes, especially in fish with a bluish flesh - sardines, herring, mackerel, salmon, tuna. These contain sufficient unsaturated fatty acids to make them recommended in low - cholesterol diets.Fish also contains good cholesterol and is good for the heart. Also, it is non-carcinogenic.

Are salt water fish saltier than fresh water fish ?

No. The sodium levels in each are almost identical. Among the seafoods, crustaceans and shellfish are the only ones rich in salt.

Is fish as nourishing as meat ?

Yes. One hundred grams of fish with no waste provides as much protein as 100 grams of meat. We have the impression that fish is less nourishing because it is digested more quickly.

In what way and how is canned fish better than fresh fish ?

It is much richer in calcium. While cans are being sterilized and during the storage period, the fish-bones become soluble and the calcium content in the fish increases ten-fold, from 33 mg per 100 grams to 437 mg.

What is the most nutritious. way. of cooking fish ?

Poaching is thought to be the best because there is no fat used. But part of the vitamins and mineral salts dissolve in the stock, and the liquid is not always used, as with meat stock. Fewer nutrients are lost when fish is baked in an oven or in foil, and it is just as easy to digest.

Which oil is the least fatty, and therefore the least fattening ?

All oils, from the lightest to the heaviest, are equally heavy. Therefore, all have the same effect on weight.

Is oil that is naturally very light better for your health ?

Yes. Because the more liquid a fat is at room temperature, the more unsaturated fatty acids it contains, which are good for lowering cholesterol levels and improving circulation.

Is honey preferable to sugar ?

We often think so because of the vitamins and minerals it contains, but these substances are present in only very small quantities.

Is milk a food for adults ?

Yes and No. The mucous membrane of the intestine of infants secretes lactase, an enzyme essential for the digestion of lactose, the sugar in milk. But, with the years, the lactase level diminishes, and certain people can only drink milk slowly, in small quantities at a time.

Should children drink whole milk ?

Preferably, yes, because it contains more fat. Whole milk already contains vitamin A and D. These two vitamins are essential for growth.

Can curds be a substitute for milk ?

To a certain extent. Simply fermented milk, one of the least processed of all the dairy products, curds contains the same elements as milk, except for vitamin D and some lactose.

Is fresh cream bad for the liver ?

On the contrary. Like many fats, it acts on the gall bladder to contract and release bile.

How are vitamins and minerals best preserved when preparing vegetables ?

The vegetables should be scraped or brushed rather than peeled; prepared just before cooking or eating; washed quickly under running water rather than soaked. They should be cooked whole: the smaller the cubes and slices when you cut up fruits and vegetables the greater the vitamin loss. Use only stainless steel utensils. Copper utensils destroy vitamin C. Watch the heating time. It is better to cook vegetables for 20 minutes on a high flame than for one hour on a low flame. This is why pressure - cookers are a good idea.

Which is the richest and most nutritious fruit ?

According to many experts in nutrition, it is the dry apricot. Besides being a source of energy, it contains calcium, iron, phosphorous, potassium and lots of vitamin A.

Could you lack in vitamin C if you did not eat enough fruit ?

No. Vegetables will give you plenty.

In a weight reducing diet, can you eat as much fruit as you want ?

No. People believe that fruit, which is a good source of water, vitamins and minerals, can be eaten, like some vegetables, at will. But fruit also contains sugar. A half kilo of grapes, for example, contains 350 calories.

Should fruit be peeled to get rid of pesticides and insecticides ?

This is a rather useless precaution because the pulp of the fruit often absorbs as much of the poisonous substances as the skin does. Hence, it is advisable for those who have no trouble with fibre to eat fruit without peeling, after washing and brushing.

Is the apple recommended for diarrhea, or constipation ?

Both. Fresh grated apples are binding and recommended for diarrhoea. Whole or stewed apples contain fibre that fights constipation.

How do you assess the salt content ( sodium chloride ) in a food ?

If you answered "more or less by its salty taste", you are wrong. Some foods have a high salt content without tasting salty, such as foods that contain salt in their natural state.

Is "hard" water bad for health ?

Hard water rich in calcium and magnesium, leaves deposits on kitchen utensils, in water pipes and household appliances, but it presents no danger to your health. Studies have shown that in cities where the water is hard, there are fewer deaths from cardiovascular disease. One thing you should do however, is let a few litres of water run in the morning before you drink. The first spurt may contain lead or other metals from the water left standing overnight in the pipes.

How much water should you drink on an average, every day ?

About a litre and a half. Except for people with particular problems such as cardiac or kidney insufficiency, we generally never drink enough water. We should drink often, a little at a time, between meals and while eating.