Food, inc.

[Nette]

This sounds really interesting, I will have to watch it.

One thing I don't understand is about free-range chicken. I know it is a better life for the chicken, but is the chicken meat any better for you, the consumer, if it is free-range vs. just regular chicken. I just have a hard time justifying the cost.

I think there is even more to it than taste. I'll have to look for it, but I read an article not that long ago about how because these "farm" raised animals were being fed corn instead of their natural diets (chickens usually eat bugs and seeds) that the KINDS of fats they were making were far less healthy, which is one of the reasons beef is so bad for you these days.

ETA: http://health.msn.com/nutrition/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100245164&gt1=31036

 

[ckay87]

I think there is even more to it than taste. I'll have to look for it, but I read an article not that long ago about how because these "farm" raised animals were being fed corn instead of their natural diets (chickens usually eat bugs and seeds) that the KINDS of fats they were making were far less healthy, which is one of the reasons beef is so bad for you these days.

ETA: http://health.msn.com/nutrition/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100245164&gt1=31036

Yes, didn't they actually talk about that in the movie, at least with respect to beef. We get e-coli from beef because they are fed corn....did I understand that correctly?

 

[Pikester]

I haven't taken the time to watch this movie but I did see the discussion on Oprah and WOW. It has really opened my eyes as I walk around the grocery store. I've started to really look at what I am putting in the cart.

 

[Christine]

Yes, didn't they actually talk about that in the movie, at least with respect to beef. We get e-coli from beef because they are fed corn....did I understand that correctly?

Yes, you are correct.

Cows aren't supposed to eat corn. If they do, it makes them sick. In order to get them from being sick they get antibiotics. The e-coli formed from corn being in their diet and making them sick.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I loved this movie! Because of this movie I read Michael Pollen's book The Omnivore's Dilemma. And, because of that we were able to find a local farm (5 minutes from our house!) that is a completely natural, all grass-fed farm. We can get our meats there, as well as local, in-season produce!

The important thing I got from the movie really wasn't about what is "good" or "bad" for you, but just the idea to become conscious of what you are eating. People will scrutinize where every piece of their car or truck is being made, but never to stop to think about what is going into their bodies! That is frightening.

 

[npmommie]

Yes, didn't they actually talk about that in the movie, at least with respect to beef. We get e-coli from beef because they are fed corn....did I understand that correctly?

The corn diet is unnatural for cows, it makes the stomach more acidic which makes for a great environment for the ecoli to thrive in the cow.


the movie was very eye opening. I always thought I knew a lot, but it really opened my eyes about the soybeans and the corn.
we are not meant to eat so much corn. if you look at ingredients corn is in almost everything packaged.

and soybean oil, thats another one of my issues. its in everything.

I have really been very aware of where our food comes from especially now since seeing the movie.
we are eating fresh, local food whenever possible. sometimes its hard, but it can be done.

I am going to try to freeze or can some local veggies this summer. I was thinking of getting one of those vacuum sealer things.
I don't know if that would be better or canning. I never canned anything and I am afraid if I do it wrong, we will have bacteria laden food!

 

[npmommie]

I loved this movie! Because of this movie I read Michael Pollen's book The Omnivore's Dilemma. And, because of that we were able to find a local farm (5 minutes from our house!) that is a completely natural, all grass-fed farm. We can get our meats there, as well as local, in-season produce!

The important thing I got from the movie really wasn't about what is "good" or "bad" for you, but just the idea to become conscious of what you are eating. People will scrutinize where every piece of their car or truck is being made, but never to stop to think about what is going into their bodies! That is frightening.

His other book is good too In Defense of Food

 

[PaulaSB12]

I only buy organic pork and beef and my idea to get chickens and ducks, joining the hundreds of thousands of people inthe uk raising chickens for eggs and meat is going to happen. I will look to move house to one with a bigger garden so I can keep them in a way that gives them a good life until they are killed for meat. I will have to learn to be tough becuase I will be killing them myself to ensure good treatment from egg to plate.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Now I am really going to have to rent this movie! I am looking to change my diet.

 

[RUDisney]

My daughter is starting to eat table foods, and I went to whole foods and got her some free range organic chicken breast from Whole Foods. 2 chicken breasts cost $12! Of course this is at least 21 servings for her, but still that's a lot of money.

DH and I would like to move to all free range meat, but it is definitely costly. I need to think of meat as more of a condiment instead of the 'main deal'. Last night (for a special occasion) we had free range bison. It was incredible! It cost $20 a pound, but we only got 3/4 of a pound and we cut it in 4ths. We each got enough for dinner (including salad and veggie sides) and have enough for a small lunch today.

I guess I need to learn more vegetarian recipes that I can serve with small portions of $$$ meat.

Instead of buying chickens from a local grocer, you can get it much cheaper per pound if you find an "organic" farmer for your poultry. I think ours sells his chickens for $2.50/lb or $2.75/lb frozen if you give him a preorder and a deposit on them. After that, you have to give the chicks time to grow before you can have them from the butcher. Cows are $2.50/lb for a full side with a $300 deposit plus butchering costs.

This beats by far buying free range or grass fed in a grocery store.

 

[mykidsand_i]

I agree- people are buying too much junk food. We are very limited in my house when it comes to things like Oreos, and candy/cakes/quick serve fatty meals. I don't buy too many things like that...BUT, the main problem in this movie was the crappy way of getting these cows fattened up- the chickens putting on more 'meat' and injecting them with stuff so they'd grow FASTER and with more white meat. AND, these animals were so un-natural that they couldn't even support their own weight! All these coorparations are manufacturing food that is making poeple sick!
I am happy that we get a deer every year from a friend of my husbands- he shoots one for us every year! We also have a farm close by that sells cow meat- ground, steaks, roasts...But before I saw this movie, we would only go out there and buy a few things once and a while. The taste is SOOOOOO much better in his beef- but it is a little more spendy. After seeing this movie, I plan to by 1/2 a cow from him and that way it's a bit cheaper than buying it pounds at a time (AND it's closer to the prices of a store purchased meat). He also sells chickens. I've bought his chickens before and they've tasted great! I'll be buying more from him. His wife sells the eggs, fresh veggies and all that stuff.

He's getting into pigs as well, but doesn't have any ready for sale until probably next year (I'm looking forward to that!!!)

I now look at our two choices we have:

#1 we can spend less money and buy the stuff at the store- but turn around and spend MORE on medical bills

OR

#2 we can buy the good/natural/healthy meats and be healthier...spend less on medical issues...not be eating steroids and chemicals that are injected into these animals

 

[ckay87]

....and if meat is more expensive, so be it. It would do us good to eat a little less meat, too.

I'm curious about fish. Or maybe I don't want to know.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

....and if meat is more expensive, so be it. It would do us good to eat a little less meat, too.

I'm curious about fish. Or maybe I don't want to know.

The only thing they mentioned about fish is that now the fish-farms are starting to find ways to feed grains like corn to fish. Another animal that will be force-fed a diet it is not meant to eat.

Early indications are that this diet will decrease the Omega-3 fatty acids in some of the fish...the things that actually make fish GOOD for you. So, in essence, we'll have created another problem, from something that should be good for us (see E.Coli and acidity of a cow's rumen).

 

[mykidsand_i]

....and if meat is more expensive, so be it. It would do us good to eat a little less meat, too.

I'm curious about fish. Or maybe I don't want to know.

I totally agree about eating less meat! Last time my hubby and I went to this 'organic/natural' restaurant, we ordered steaks- 6 oz...the smallest on the menu. The meat came preped to order, but everything else was 'serve yourself' style...beans, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn...We were both stuffed after our meal. There was a guy a table over from us that ordered this HUGE steak, not only did he eat the entire thing- he had two potatoes, a large bowl of baked beans with bacon in them(the bowls were ment for the soup)...and he grabbed ANOTHER baked potato- put it in a soup bowl and topped it with chili (beans, ground beef, sauce). My husband and I were to the point of being grossed out by this man. It was truely horrid to watch. That is a lot of meat!

But, to me, it's not even JUST the AMOUNT of meat that people consume- it's the fact that even the smallest amount of meat (even a single burger at McDonalds) is too much when we consider what type of CRAP is put into it! Now, don't get me wrong. I've had a McD's burger in the past month- My family eats there 1-2 times a month. My neighbors bring there kids there like 1-2 times a week and then to BK once a week. I can't imagine how much CRAP those kids eat, and I feel bad for them! Her son eats 1-2 big macs a week! They aren't quite over weight, but man they are sick every month with something!

As far as the fish goes, they touched a bit on it- like pp said- they are starting to change their diets too. Just like the cows. I can see fish going from something that is good to eat because of the Omega 3's- to being something that is filled with crap.

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

I'm very interested in seeing this movie now. I'll have to find out where I can rent it.