iBAM! Chicago 2012 - Irish American News

September 2012 Irish American News “We’ve AlWAys Been Green!” 35
Safe Home
by Heather Begley
Eat Real Food
While in Ireland this summer,
my kids ate plenty of
ice cream, cookies, candy and
other sweets. While these are
not the healthiest choices, I was
impressed with the lack of additives
in the products available
and the warnings listed therein.
Certain food additives have
been associated with cancer, hyperactivity,
skin conditions and
asthma. Notably, candy containing
artificial dyes in Ireland
(and throughout Europe) are
labeled with a warning indicating
that the product: “may have
an adverse effect on activity and
attention in children.” I also
noticed that the “American”
marshmallows at Lidl, a grocery
store, do not contain preservatives
or food coloring, whereas
our marshmallows typically
contain both.
The differences in food safety
in America and Ireland extends
beyond sweets. In Ireland, government
regulations prevent the
use of rBGH, a growth hormone
given to some cows in the U.S. to
increase milk production. While
the U.S. has been growing genetically
modified crops for years,
the first genetically modified
potato crop trial began on July
26, 2012 in Co. Carlow Ireland.
The modification alters the
gene affected by phytophthora
infestans, which affects potatoes
with late blight fungus. As of
right now, these spuds are not
available in the Irish supermarkets.
The vast majority of meat
available in Ireland is grass-fed,
as opposed to grain fed. Eggs
are from free-range chickens in
Ireland. I also noticed that the
options on the kids’ menus in
Ireland contain less processed
foods than we have in the States.
Of course, we also have many
“real food” options available
in the United States. There are
many organic meat and produce
options available. Consumers
can choose to avoid trans fats,
high fructose corn syrup and
nitrates. However, it seems that
the nation’s health is continuing
to decline with high obesity
rates. According the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention,
in 2008, medical costs associated
with obesity in the United States
were estimated at $147 billion
WHERE ARE
THE IRISH?
Inside all of us lies a hidden history, stories only DNA can tell.
All of the Irish are immigrants – and many have been emigrants – people who
have made epic journeys across the face of the Earth to reach Ireland and then,
much later, to leave its shores.
With new technology
we can offer DNA testing
at $265 for women and
$310 for men (who have
two sorts of DNA that can
trace ancestry).
and the medical costs for people
who are obese were $1,429 higher
than those of normal weight.
I have a strong interest in consumer
protection, including our
citizens’ health and food safety.
Corporations should be held accountable
and the government
should regulate product and
food safety. However, America
is a capitalist society and one
cannot assume that food is safe to
eat just because the government
allows it to be on the market.
We must be proactive about our
own health. Perhaps food regu-
lations are stricter in countries
with socialized medicine because
the government is footing the
bill for its citizens’ healthcare.
Americans should be aware of
what they are eating and how it
may affect their health. Part of
that responsibility is eating real,
healthy food and not artificial,
orange-colored, MSG-laden barbeque
chips washed down with a
carbonated, artificially flavored,
sodium-benzoate-preserved soft
drink for breakfast. Let’s take
back our health and start eating
real food.
DNA can discover the ancient ancestry of all of Ireland’s children,
no matter how far from home they have scattered.
Find out your story at IrelandsDNA
www.irelandsdna.com