Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Marion Nestle's new SF Chronicle column

Marion Nestle: Global food crisis comes back to caloriesMarion Nestle, professor in the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, author of "What to Eat" and "Food Politics," and Chronicle Food columnist.

Q: What's the most pressing nutrition issue today, and why?
A: The answer can be summed up in one word: calories.
Calories are at the root of today's most important nutritional problems. Those of us in the Western world get far too many. Much of the rest of the world doesn't get nearly enough. And for everyone, calories are suddenly getting very expensive.
Calories measure the energy value of food. They are a quick way of talking about the amount of food we eat and how much that food costs. Eat too many calories for the number you use, and on come the pounds. Food tempts us everywhere, even in places like business supply stores, bookstores and libraries. It comes in larger and larger portions. And we are expected to snack all day long. ...read more

Since most of us are used to portions much more then we need, adjusting to the real amount can be quite a shock.

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