Forums: March 2010 Kickstart Forum Archive: Concerned About Sodium and Chemicals
Created on: 03/11/10 03:36 PM Views: 1809 Replies: 7
LisaAero Joined: 03/11/10 Posts: 1	Concerned About Sodium and Chemicals Posted Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 3:36 PM Hi Everyone! I've been veg for years and am wanting to try going vegan for ethical and health reasons. I'm also really into nutrition. My concern surrounds the high amounts of sodium and chemicals of unknown origin found in the "faux" meats, cheeses, and plant milks/yogurts. The faux meats often have a very high sodium content. I also notice a lot of ingredients that I can't identify. For instance, carrageenan, used as a thickening agent in most plant milks, vegan yogurts, puddings, etc., is made from seaweed, which sounds harmless enough. However, I've read it's been linked to stomach cancer and has fallen through a crack in FDA regulations, so it continues to be used. Unfortunately, it's in so many products, it's hard to avoid. I'd love to hear from a physician or nutritionist re: their thoughts on this issue. Thanks! LA
	Quote | Send PM | Link | Top | Bottom
Wild4Stars Joined: 12/27/09 Location: Florida Posts: 832	RE: Concerned About Sodium and Chemicals Posted Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 3:43 PM I agree. I try to eat mostly unprocessed foods. For me, the faux meats are mainly for something quick now and then. I also feed them to my omnivore husband as I think they are still better than eating real animals. Vikki ~ Wild4Stars@gmail.com
	Quote | Send PM | Link | Top | Bottom
Susan Levin Joined: 12/26/09 Posts: 1191	RE: Concerned About Sodium and Chemicals Posted Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 4:48 PM My standard advice is to avoid packaged goods as much as possible. Depends on how much time you want to invest in your diet really. Ideally, and we don't all lead ideal lives, we would be eating whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. One ingredient per item. Real foods. Carrageenan is in fact extracted from seaweed, and it has been used in foods for centuries. I've seen some research saying carrageenan prevents diseases and then speculation (from animal studies, which don't reliable translate into humans) that it may be harmful to the gut. This questionable type seems to be not pure carrageenan but something highly refined from carrageenan. Of course, how could you possibly know how refined carrageenan is. Again, if this concerns you (and I'm always thrilled when people are particular about what they put in their bodies), then I would consider making my own plant-milk. It's one of the easiest things you can do with a simple blender. Susan Levin, MS, RD PCRM Director of Nutrition Education
	Quote | Send PM | Link | Top | Bottom
aleta Joined: 01/07/10 Location: Claremont, CA Posts: 153	RE: Concerned About Sodium and Chemicals Posted Friday, March 12, 2010 at 12:47 PM I am so interested in making my own plant milk too. Can you tell me where to find the info on that? aleta email
	Quote | Send PM | Link | Top | Bottom
Vegann Joined: 03/02/10 Posts: 35	RE: Concerned About Sodium and Chemicals Posted Friday, March 12, 2010 at 1:17 PM aleta wrote: I am so interested in making my own plant milk too. Can you tell me where to find the info on that? http://www.recipezaar.com/D-I-Y-Rice-Milk-51109 I plan on trying this one soon. I know you can make your own soy milk as well. But I don't have a recipe for that, as I am not a fan of it.
	Quote | Send PM | Link | Top | Bottom
aleta Joined: 01/07/10 Location: Claremont, CA Posts: 153	RE: Concerned About Sodium and Chemicals Posted Friday, March 12, 2010 at 1:23 PM Thank you I will try it. aleta email
	Quote | Send PM | Link | Top | Bottom
Vegann Joined: 03/02/10 Posts: 35	RE: Concerned About Sodium and Chemicals Posted Friday, March 12, 2010 at 1:34 PM Just make sure you read the comments on the recipe. Seems to have turned out too thick for some people. (some said it was the consistancy of condensed milk. i wonder if it could be used in place of condensed milk in resipes. hmmm...) They give you additive ideas and things of that nature to make it taste more like mass produced stuff. If, that's what you want, that is.
	Quote | Send PM | Link | Top | Bottom
essie Joined: 02/26/10 Posts: 163	RE: Concerned About Sodium and Chemicals Posted Friday, March 12, 2010 at 2:25 PM Recipe (with pictures) for almond milk, that would probably work for other kinds of nuts/seeds too: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Milk-an-Almond-fresh-homemade-almond-milk/ I even bought a nut milk bag but haven't gotten around to this yet. No good reason. This weekend! Somewhere there's a recipe for Banana Milk--I think a MacDougall book I have, that's fresh banana, water, and vanilla.
	Quote | Send PM | Link | Top | Bottom

New Topic Reply Subscription Options

Page: 1

There are 31 active user sessions right now.
Registered Users Online: murphyjr