Free xml sitemap generator Conservative Nation News: Nutrition Czarina Michelle Obama Moves Against Cranberry Industry

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Nutrition Czarina Michelle Obama Moves Against Cranberry Industry

"Listen, America. Eat your veggies and like it."
WASHINGTON – The federal government is expected to propose new nutrition standards soon that could leave a bitter taste in the mouths of cranberry growers from Massachusetts to Wisconsin.

To address childhood obesity in America, an effort spurred by first lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative, the Department of Agriculture is finalizing guidelines for what can be sold in school vending machines, stores and a la carte cafeteria lines.

 Sugar is widely viewed as a target, and sweetened beverages like cranberry juice cocktail could be deemed unhealthy.

That would be unfortunate and unfair, cranberry industry officials say, because the tart, deep red fruit is loaded with nutrients and health benefits. But for consumers to avail themselves of those benefits, cranberries must be sweetened.

"Cranberries can be sweetened with anything," said Linda Prehn, a cranberry grower in Tomah, Wis., citing apple juice as an example. "But you can't eat 'em raw. They're tough to eat straight up."

Via USA Today

2 comments:

  1. Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative...great idea: move to Kenya, the sooner the better, Michelle,

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  2. This just shows how little Michelle Obama knows about nutrition. Packed with nutrition, they are high in vitamin C and in fiber. But cranberries, like their relative the blueberry, also contain antioxidants in abundance which has antibacterial effects on the body.The major flavonoids in freshly squeezed cranberry juice are quercetin and myricetin.

    Quercetin is found to be the most active of the flavonoids in studies. Quercetin has anti-inflammatory activity because it inhibits some of the process of inflammation at the onset. It is used as a preservative in prepared foods today and has iron-binding properties.

    Myricetin is a flavonoid (pigment) and is considered an antioxidant. Fighting free radicals, it is thought to have anti-cancer properties, including the ability to lower the chances of prostate cancer. Myricetin may also lower cholesterol levels.

    Oxalates. Cranberries' are high in oxalates, which can rob the body of calcium and can be a cause of kidney stones. Research suggests that the oxalates are not highly bioavailable which means that they are not readily absorbed. This topic is under debate and one should err on the side of caution.

    Terpenes create the spicy scent and combined with other phenolic compounds give it its tart, astringent taste.

    Pectin - Cranberries are rich in pectins, also found in apples, and is the reason why it can quickly become a sauce.

    Michelle Obama should help educate the obese. Food stamps are not the reason people are becoming obese. Lack of exercise, bad diets, fast food and lack of education are the places she should concentrate, not on one item at a time. Sugar is not the enemy here either. It's called moderation. Limiting carbohydrates and portion control is a start but to go after one food or industry is dictatorship in the making. I will decide what I and my family will eat, not her.

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