The vegetables above all look beautiful, but do we know if they’re genetically modified. Do you know when you’re picking fruit and vegetables at the local grocery store? The answer is no, but that might start to change of the voters of California approve Proposition 37. The proposed law would require that food manufacturers appropriately label all food, whether raw or processed, that contain ingredients made from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). That term refers to scientific procedures that have altered the genetic material in various organisms.
The idea is the consumers have a right to know what kinds of food they are buying and eating, while opponents argue that it would be too burdensome or costly. These initiatives have failed many times in other states, but California often leads the nation on these issues.
Tons of money is being spent by opponents of the law. Both sides are running commercials and spending money on mailers, but the food companies and their allies are spending like crazy. They can afford slick commercials. Yet the proponents have passionate supporters of these regulations. It will be interesting to see what happens.
No stranger to boar sausage, or to a finely braised veal shank, Mario Batali however isn’t the first name that pops to mind when you think about vegetables. And that’s what’s so interesting about his decision to embrace Meatless Monday in all of his 14 restaurants across the country.
“The fact is, most people in the U.S. eat way more meat than is good for them or the planet,” maintains Batali. “Asking everyone to go vegetarian or vegan isn’t a realistic or attainable goal. But we can focus on a more plant-based diet, and support the farmers who raise their animals humanely and sustainably. That’s why I’m such a big believer in the Meatless Monday movement.”
Watch this video to see the role that sugar plays in disease and obesity.
Dr. Robert Lustig’s video, in which he argues that the current obesity epidemic is due to the marked increase in people’s consumption of fructose over the last 30 years. He also points out that fructose is toxic in large quantities, because it is metabolized in the liver in the same way as alcohol, which drives fat storage and makes the brain think it is hungry.
