What is a healthy diet?

Posted by Helen, Volunteer Mentor @naturegirl5, Jan 12 9:35am

I read a series of articles in The NY Times on ultra processed foods including what they are, how to figure out what is ultra processed and better alternatives. I have read the labels for all packaged foods in the grocery store for years but some ingredients are a mystery to me.

TrueFood was recommended in one of the articles. Here you can learn more about ultraprocessed foods so that you can work on choosing foods with less processing. The website provides ratings and recommendations.

TrueFood:

https://www.truefood.tech/?store=all

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Profile picture for judimahoney @judimahoney

Hi Celia, have you tried date sugar? It's not actually sugar, it's dried, powdered dates and is supposed to be the healthiest, low glycemic level too.
Unfortunately, it's expensive. I find it in the health food section at the store.

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I haven’t heard of it. Is it sweet? Maybe, my taste is off, but I don’t find the teaspoon of sugar very sweet. I may as well leave it out. Maybe, I’ll try the date sugar. I wouldn’t use much.

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Profile picture for celia16 @celia16

I haven’t heard of it. Is it sweet? Maybe, my taste is off, but I don’t find the teaspoon of sugar very sweet. I may as well leave it out. Maybe, I’ll try the date sugar. I wouldn’t use much.

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Hi, it's not as sweet as refined, white sugar but is still sweet.
When I bake I replace half of sugar with date sugar.
I find it doesn't dissolve well in beverages (it tends to clump).

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Oh….well…I might get a sample somewhere and try it in my coffee.

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Profile picture for maureenanne @maureenanne

Hi @celia16, I don't have diabetes but have plenty of other digestive issues, celiac disease included. I have been on a quest for clean food for the last 2 years, and what an education I got! Anyway, about the stevia....I finally found one that didn't have anything else in it but stevia. The brand is Sweet Leaf sweet drops, SteviaClear. It is a liquid and tastes great, kinda pricey...but we'll worth it! It's all I use, and I hope you give it a try. Best of luck!

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Great! I will look for it. I was using Stevia, until the reports came out. Thanks.

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Profile picture for mikayla @mikaylar

That's all? Oh heck, you need to put ice cream on them and have a candy bar after.

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@mikaylar
I just LOVE this comment ! However, I do have the gut feeling, that we probably should not at any age be doing this EVERY day !
Love it thought...

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I am in general agreement with you and the article in the NY Times. HOWEVER, depending on one's medical condition, any meds which they may be taking, etc., etc., what is considered "healthy" for one person just may not be "healthy" for someone else. I suggest: each individual do their homework, yes, read labels, do research on the AI, know YOUR body and know your nutrient needs. Is this info easy to obtain, NO. It is time consuming, YES.
But overall, just be careful please. Trust me, I screwed up and really thinned out my blood to a dangerous level.
That being said...DO NOT STOP TALKING. DO NOT STOP RESEARCHING. DO NOT STOP SHARING. PLEASE

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I went to a nutritionist. We went through everything I ate, medications and supplements. He told me I was eating fine, just too much. He gave me pictures of what a healthy portion looks like. It has taken time, but so far I have lost 20 lbs. I just turned 91. I am in good health and live independently so I guess I am doing something right.

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Profile picture for celia16 @celia16

I try to stick with whole foods, but do eat some that are processed like Almond milk and greek yogurt. Some of my frozen veggies are slightly processed. I’m searching for a good sugar substitute. I realized that the artificial sweeteners cause me digestive problems. So, for now I’m using 1 teaspoon of sugar in my daily morning cup of coffee. I have type 1 diabetes, so consuming pure white sugar is just not something we do. Anyway, I bolus with insulin, so it’s covered, but still I’d like an option. I read some negative things about Stevia last year. I want to revisit it though.

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@celia16
I've been using Lakanto for over 20 years now. It is great in coffee and is 1:1 substitute for sugar in baked goods. I find it to be an excellent product.
https://www.lakanto.world/

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Profile picture for celia16 @celia16

I try to stick with whole foods, but do eat some that are processed like Almond milk and greek yogurt. Some of my frozen veggies are slightly processed. I’m searching for a good sugar substitute. I realized that the artificial sweeteners cause me digestive problems. So, for now I’m using 1 teaspoon of sugar in my daily morning cup of coffee. I have type 1 diabetes, so consuming pure white sugar is just not something we do. Anyway, I bolus with insulin, so it’s covered, but still I’d like an option. I read some negative things about Stevia last year. I want to revisit it though.

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@celia16
Hi, have you tried date sugar? It's the healthiest sweetener because it's not sugar, just dried dates. It's kind of expensive. 🙁

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One that you can maintain and it has all the nutrients you need

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