usual suspect wrote:
> wrote:
> >
> > Steve wrote:
> >
> >>diane wrote:
> >>
> >>>has anyone here tried going raw, as in the raw food diet?
> >>
> >>
> >>I did when I was 14 back in the 80s. I followed all the rules and my
> >>health was not the better for it.
> >>
> >>If you are thinking about it you might find these articles interesting:
> >>
> >>This person has no professional medical credentials I know of
> >>(neither will the cranks who will not like what he has to say), but what
> >>he has to say is in every introductory biochemistry book:
> >>http://www.fredericpatenaude.com/enzymes.html
> >>
> >>
> >>This article is by Jack Norris a vegan Registered Dietician, and an
> >>animal rights activist who co-runs vegan outreach:
> >>http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/cooking
> >>
> >>
> >>Dr. Michael Greger a vegan M.D. who does a lot of lecturing and research
> >>on nutrition. It is from his free monthly nutrition e-mail news letter
> >>( also readable on veganmd.com):
> >>
> >>http://www.drgreger.org/november2003.html
> >>
> >>( search the page for the string "G. Raw versus Cooked: Which is
> >>MoreNatural?")
> >>
> >>
> >>HTH
> >>
> >>Steve
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks for the reading Steve - interesting.
> >
> > I guess the issue is what to cook, and how much.
> >
> > For example, grains and tubers in some cases need to be cooked, and are
> > important staples. For infants cooking makes foods accessible that
> > otherwise would be too difficult to chew.
> >
> > However, most people go WAY overboard. What is the point of "toast"?
>
> Toasting slightly changes the texture and flavor. Some people enjoy it.
> Do you have anything against people *enjoying* what they eat?
>

Certainly not! My point is that people should consider: why do I enjoy
such and such? Often the reason we like certain foods is not a
physical taste, or an effect, but simply a tradition - it reminds us of
certain things.

> > Why heat leftovers or soup from a can?
>
> It can a good idea for the former because of the possibility of minor
> contamination. For the latter, it improves the flavor. You object to that?
>

I do object. I have found no flavor improvement, and I think minor
contamination is healthful.

> > What's the point of "grilled cheese" -
>
> There are several points. People enjoy the flavor and texture of toasted
> bread. They also enjoy melted cheese. Together, it's more pleasing to
> the senses than a cold slice of cheese between two slices of bread.
>

Again I don't want to stop anyone from doing things they enjoy!
Rather, we should think about why we enjoy things carefully rather than
assume we enjoy them because others do. Why do you find this melted
concoction more pleasing to the senses than a nice cold slice of cheese
with two slices of bread? Can you explain why?

> > it is simply tradition and has no healthful purpose.
>
> Pringles don't serve a healthful purpose, but I enjoy snacking on them
> on occasion. Please tell me you still have "bad" foods you allow
> yourself to enjoy from time to time.

Me too. I'll eat almost anything and enjoy it. I find my enjoyment
from foods is proportional to my hunger, though clearly there are many
other factors.

Cheers - shevek