patrick.net

Yep, it's no coincidence that grains are the #1 input, and the US is a top ten producer of grains.

80% of the food in the supermarket is just Corn, Soy, or Wheat in some other guise (Cookies, Cakes, Margerine, Rapeseed (er, "Canola, our focus group says is less offensive") Oil, even Salad Dressings, BBQ Sauce, Fake Bacon, Soy Burgers and Soy Milk)

thunderlips11 says

Yep, it's no coincidence that grains are the #1 input, and the US is a top
ten producer of grains.

Yup, and that's the result of subsidies, which were originally intended to stabilize rural economies and buy votes when the majority of rural areas and incomes were based upon ag.

Now, since direct payments were eliminated, and POS farmers wouldn't voluntarily carry insurance to offset the risk of mother nature, along with the resultant begging to the government for a bailout after some catastrophic weather, they get subsidized crop insurance. That makes dropping a seed in even the worst types of soils almost 100% risk-free. And, they still get the huge government bailouts after the catastrophic weather too. So what was designed/developed to offset huge government payouts becasue of that catastrophic weather, has led to free money for every corporation that can leech onto some form of revenue tied to agriculture. So much that the federal crop insurance program spends $3.34 for every $1.00 in paid claims, and that figure is from 6 years ago, or 2007. For just this year(2013) there were 8 million + acres that were paid to sit idle, and the figure could and more likely will come in higher due to the lapse of federal crop progess reports due to the government shutdown.
And that's after a year where the drought devastated crops and most if not all of the grain states were affected, but yet they had record incomes for last year.

So what does the vegetable sector get from the federal government in terms of support or subsidies? Zilch, unless of course they are in a region that gets a rating of disaster zone after some catastrophic weather, and MAYBE some state incentives, depending on how important vegetable production is to the state.

"So, You're Tired of Being A Fat Bastard?" YES

I'm trying to become a Fat Stupid Bastard. I'm really close to achieving my goal.

HEY YOU says

"So, You're Tired of Being A Fat Bastard?" YES

I'm trying to become a Fat Stupid Bastard. I'm really close to achieving my goal.

Well, if you've achieved fat bastard status from eating the standard American Diet, you're likely already stupid as well. Being that, everything is relative, the SAD makes you stupid. Try a ketogenic form of eating and watch how much smarter you become. Some postulate that the advent of agriculture, and moreso the prominence of these simple carbs in the food supply, are the main reason that humans brains have been shrinking

Eat food, as free of chemicals as possible.
Eat different types of food. Be the omnivore you are made to be.
Don't eat too much.
Limit intake of heavily processed food.
Beer is good.

It seems like for the most part Mr. Denninger is indeed "talking out of his ass", but is that a new thing for him?

My primary problem with the article is that Mr. Denninger seems to have imaginings on what the "food pyramid" advises. (hint: it is not even called the food pyramid anymore) Perhaps he was working off that is decades old. He seems to confuse corporate mass marketing as government dietary advice.

Is the government advice perfect? No, but it is a lot better than Mr. Denninger would have us believe.

If anyone is interested in seeing what the official government advice actually is:
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/

APOCALYPSEFUCK is Comptroller says

I'm all for this - but what about beer?

Drink organic beer from Germany brewed under strict purity laws. Or brew it at home until the government will make it even more illegal, but you have your Gatling's for this.. ;)

egads101 says

I'm becoming increasingly convinced that processed grains should not be in the diet at all.

I think that some processed grains are not going to kill you any quicker, but replacing as many as possible with whole grains is a good idea.

Here is the current official government take on processed grains:
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/grains-amount.html
"How Many Grain Foods Are Needed Daily?

The amount of grains you need to eat depends on your age, sex, and level of physical activity. Recommended daily amounts are listed in the chart. Most Americans consume enough grains, but few are whole grains. At least half of all the grains eaten should be whole grains."

I would say that at least %85-90 (%95?) of grains should be whole, but at least the "official" advice is to promote increased eating of whole grains.

errc says

Try a ketogenic form of eating and watch how much smarter you become.

I had to perform unsuccessful CPR on the last person I knew using a ketogenic form of eating. I'm sure he's much smarter now. I'll stick to a mediteranian diet and modest excercise thank you.

bob2356 says

errc says

Try a ketogenic form of eating and watch how much smarter you become.

I had to perform unsuccessful CPR on the last person I knew using a ketogenic form of eating. I'm sure he's much smarter now. I'll stick to a mediteranian diet and modest excercise thank you.

That must have been an extreme case. Are you sure it's from the ketogenic diet? I mean, even if you watch your sugar intake it is hard to stay under 30-50 grams of refined sugar per day (provided you're not going anywhere near artificial sweeteners), plus non-refined sugars from fruits and then other carbs/starches. What were they eating, 100% fat?

If you want to be smarter through food, take two teaspoons of cod liver oil each day. The Omega-3 fatty acid thus acquired will assist in neuron repair and overall health.
Otherwise, I've found the best way is to get enough sleep. Brains build up protein waste products (amyloid plaques) throughout waking hours that can only be cleansed through sleep. These interfere with brain function and are known to be (in excessive amounts) the cause of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

What do Norwegians, Japanese, Greeks, Jack LaLane and other long-lived people(s) have in common?

Fish.

The Fatty Fish Oil is key. I just discovered Sardines. Take one out of a can, mush it up in Olive Oil, Black Pepper, Real Mayo (ie not Soybean Oil), and Lemon Juice. Throw two handfuls of lettuce and half a tomato and onion, best thing you can eat. Takes about 2 minutes to make, no cooking.

Power on a Plate.

bob2356 says

errc says

Try a ketogenic form of eating and watch how much smarter you become.

I had to perform unsuccessful CPR on the last person I knew using a ketogenic form of eating. I'm sure he's much smarter now. I'll stick to a mediteranian diet and modest excercise thank you.

What was it about his keto diet that caused need for resuscitation?

mell says

Among them are the fact that the so-called "food pyramid" was never created by scientific inquiry

That's why I only use the Apocalypsefuck food pyramid. It's the only way to stay fit and in shape in the cannibal anarchy.

A Lafayette local runs the http://www.againstallgrain.com blog and is now doing a nationwide book tour to promote her grain-free recipes. They are pretty good.

Fast Paleo is another of my favorites. Grain free is the best way to get rid of the chub, but minimally going wheat free has made a huge difference in many people I know, including myself.

APOCALYPSEFUCK is Comptroller says

I'm all for this - but what about beer?

I got completely spoiled when I lived in Germany, but I finally found out why my face turned red and my nose got stuffed up when I drank my favorite hefeweizen. Of course, I could switch to a rice beer. But none of it's an issue anymore because I quit drinking beer altogether to support my husband in his sobriety (4 years no beers & no alcoholic insanity). Oh how I miss beer, but a good marriage is more important. I'll keep telling myself that :)

Obligatory:

If I recall correctly, this is from one of the deleted scenes from one of the Austin Powers DVD's.