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.

That's an important consideration, though. Your examples aren't matters
of tradition, they're mainly matters of taste.

>>>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,

Speak for yourself. Others enjoy heated foods to tepid or cold.

> and I think minor
> contamination is healthful.

Not everyone shares your unhygienic tastes.

>>>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!

Then don't attribute their enjoyment to "tradition."

> Rather, we should think about why we enjoy things carefully rather than
> assume we enjoy them because others do.

Why should anyone engage in mental gymnastics when they just want to eat
something they enjoy? That defeats the purpose of enjoying it.

> 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?

From my own point of view, I enjoy toasty (and crusty) bread. I also
prefer the texture of melted cheese to cold, hard cheese. It's more
pleasing to my senses. For the same reason, I used to enjoy nachos at a
sporting event -- the combination of crunchy and smooth textures is
enjoyable, and so is the flavor (especially with extra peppers).

>>>it is simply tradition and has no healthful purpose.

I still want to know why you consider something others may find
enjoyable from a taste/texture standpoint "simply tradition."

>>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.

The same is true of others' and their tastes.