Strange foods, strange diets

Strange foods was the theme of a 1994 issue of The Good Life.

That was the year the US Food and Drug Administration passed legislation allowing the sale of genetically modified tomatoes, thereby opening the door for other genetically modified and other strange foods to be marketed to unknowing consumers.

That's not all. Also approved during the 1990s were irridiated foods while in Singapore, the government continues to promote vegetables grown in strange ways through hydroponics and aeroponics.

Apart from GM, irridiated and other strange foods, other major dietary changes have been taking place in recent decades.

The result has been that humans are now eating far more bizarre foods -- and following bizarre dietary patterns -- than ever before.

The issue examined the changes and the implications of these dietary changes. It ends on a positive note with commentaries and information about the superiority of organic and natural foods.

Below are short summaries, with links to the various articles on different aspects of strange foods and strange diets. Note:: active links are bold and underlined.

The end of the world?	Macrobiotic teacher Michio Kushi identifies 12 major dietary changes of recent times, including the rise of genetically modified foods. Will these changes lead to the end of humanity?
Food from thought	There are many theories about diet. Most arise from intellectual ideas rather than time-tested tradition. They are the products of arrogance -- of experts thinking that they know better.
Mistakes of modern nutrition	Nutrition seems so right. It is scientific, it is based on research. So what could be wrong with it? Plenty. Nutritional "science" actually leads to the adoption of strange foods and strange diets.
The dark side of magic	Vitamin pills and other health supplements are often regarded as “magic bullets" offering quick solutions to health problems. They are not natural. And the long term effects are not healthy.
Natural but still strange	The natural health and natural foods movement has its share of strange ideas -- like fasting, eating only raw foods, food commbining, and so on.
Strange for animals too	Farm animals are routinely given strange foods that are not part of their natural diet, eg cows being fed grains instead of grass. It is worse than this. They are also fed sawdust, sludge and sewage!
Victim of strange, "healthy" diets	Linda McGrath who suffered from the eating disorder bulimia. Her problems worsened when she ate "healthy" foods. She recovered with macrobiotics -- and tells her story in Set Free.
A strange diet called 'Macrobiotics'	Many people who are 'macrobiotic" eat in strange ways too. They may not always follow macrobiotic dietary recommendations -- and so end up with imbalances and problems as well.
Strange vegetables	Hydroponic and aeroponic vegetables -- grown in water and in air -- are encouraged by the Singapore government. There is no scientific evidence that such foods are good for health.
Organic foods "have greater life force"	Two German scientists have found a way to determine the quality of food by measuring their vitality or "life force". Not surprisingly, they found organic foods to be superior.
Nuked foods Nuked foods part II	Irridiated food is just as strange. A review of scientific literature shows food irridiation to have many adverse effects and only a few possible benefits. Unfortunately, the chief benefit is MONEY!
Symbols of "freshness"	The problem with irridiated foods is that they look fresh even though they may be several months, or years, old. Look out for the food irridiation symbol to know what you are eating.
Frankenfoods	You don't need scientific evidence to tell you to avoid generically modified foods. These are the strangest foods of all. When you eat foods, you can expect strange diseases!
More Frankenfoods	Bizarre examples of some of the GM Foods experiments - as well as experiments to prevent and cure diseases -- being carried out by scientists
Jurassic science	A commentary and "movie review" of Jurassic Park by macrobiotic teacher Edward Esko. He draws parallels between the movie and the rise of genetically modified strange foods.
Food as nature intended	A visit to the Santok "native" market in Kuching, East Malaysia, was an eye opener. The vegetables and fruits there, some harvested from the jungles, are very different from fertiliser-grown varieties.