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Fad food harms healthLike it or not, the products farms and ranches produce feed people. On one hand, it's a blessing. We know that eating won't ever go out of style. But on the other hand, any of the latest diet crazes leave me shaking my head. Do people not use common sense anymore? Wait, don't answer that. I know the answer. People are looking for easy answers. Low carb, high protein is healthier. Or is it a vegetarian diet that is better for you? The logical answer is, neither is healthy. Good food of all types, produced by you, should be eaten in moderation. One of the latest diet crazes is teen vegetarianism. Young girls, who already are bombarded by harmful body image messages, are choosing to become vegetarians because they think it is a healthful choice. A recent USA Today article featured a 13-year-old girl who is a vegetarian and considering becoming a vegan due to health and animal rights influences. Kelli Loos, who is a sometimes substitute Journal columnist for her husband Trent, wrote a letter to the editor in response. "Obesity should not be blamed on lean meat, whole grains, dairy or other farm products but soda, sugar, grease and a lack of exercise. A well-balanced diet includes a variety of foods from all food groups in moderation," she said. I couldn't have said it better myself. The low carbohydrate diet fire was fanned again recently by a new book, "Good Calories, Bad Calories," by Gary Taubes. Marcia Scheideman, a registered dietician and president of the Wheat Foods Council, recently discussed the diet in her blog, "Grain Talk." "Despite Mr. Taubes' point of view that some calories are more fattening than others, a significant amount of scientific research demonstrates that no matter the source of the calorie, all calories are equal," she said. Thank goodness for Kelli and Marcia and all of the rest of the reasonable people out there, trying to impart a sense of rationalism. The "quick fix" diet fads will not stop. We can only hope that common sense and good old-fashioned balanced diets will prevail. Holly Martin can be reached by phone at 1-800-452-7171 ext. 1806 or e-mail at hmartin@hpj.com. 10/29/07 Date: 10/24/07
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