References and Research
These sources have been collected research regarding high amounts of processed foods in the diet and how processed foods are contributing to increasing rates of chronic diseases such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer in Americans. Most of the sources that are listed are scholarly and/or credited sources of information. These sources have been chosen for the content they contain and the evidence used to back up these claims in order to advance both my research and my campaign for eliminating highly processed, packaged foods from the diet in order to lower the risk of disease.
1. Carbs Guide to the Way, “The Nutrition Source. Harvard School of Public Health. 6 July 2010. http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutrtionsource/what-should-you-eat/carbohydrates-full-story/index.html#glycemic-index.
This article, published by the Harvard School of Public Health expresses that not all carbohydrates are bad for health and that instead, they are an important part of the human diet. However, there are different carbohydrate sources and ones highly processed can contribute to diabetes, weight gain, and even cancers. This article contains several tips and a link to the glycemic index to help the reader choose which carbohydrates they want to keep in their diet. This article is from a respected and credible source being produced by Harvard School of Public Health with several references and sited studies.
2. “Chemical Cuisine: Learn about food additives,” Center for Science in the Public Interest. 2009. 7 July 2010. <http://www.cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.htm>.
This article informs the public on food additives and some of the most dangerous ones to look out for and why. It includes a very useful glossary of food additives that list what the chemicals are as well as if they are considered to be safe or not and the implications and health concerns with others. This seems to be a reputable source run by a group of doctors and scientist who are privately funded. The CSPI lists its’ forty years of accomplishments including being honored in 2007 by the FDA Commissioner adding to its credibility.
3. "First Lady Urges Congress to Act on School Meals." July 30,2010 <http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jadTyKEgRgQBUpdFcBxMGtVYeBuQD9HB3IT80>
This is a short news article about school lunches and what the current president and first lady are hoping to do in terms of improving nutrition for the younger generation.
4. "House Committee approves child nutrition bill". AgWeek, July 20, 2010. <http://www.agweek.com/event/article/id/16768/>.
This is a short news article on the house passing the child nutrition bill. It also has information about what the bill contains including improving the school lunch program.
5. How Sweet is it, The Nutrition Source. Harvard School of Public Health 27 July 2010. http://www..hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/files/how-sweet-is-it-color.pdf.
This article, published by the Harvard School of Public Health shows examples of many popular drinks and their sugar contents as well as providing information and a guide to tell where you're beverages stand and what drinks are healthier alternatives. This is a reputable source produced by Harvard with a link to its Nutrion Source Webpage for more information on soft drinks.
6. Kemi Ilori, “Processed foods (4): The advantages of processed foods,” Daily Sun, Voice of the Nation, 4 December 2007, 7 July 2010. <http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/goodhealth/2007/dec/04/goodhealth-04-12-2007-004.htm>.
This is an article expressing the benefits of processed foods and how they help people from around the world provide variety in their diet, add to convenience, get the proper amounts of nutrients, make nutrients more available and help make our food safe. Defending processed foods it expresses how they have aided in human health and preservation. This article is from a popular newspaper distributed in Nigeria and Africa. The author, Kemi Ilori has a masters degree in science nutrition and pharmacology and is listed as being an expert on health and health-related issues. While this article may not have the prestige of Harvard, the author is a respected and educated professional who is responsible for the Health and Physical Fitness section of this popular paper, therefore I think it can be a valuable source. This article is useful to me because it expresses the benefits of processed foods and gives a new view on the usefulness of processed foods and their role in society.
7. "Michele Obama talks to school food group about obesity transcript", Chicago Sun Times. <http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2010/03/michelle_obama_talks_to_school.chtml>.
This site is put out by the Chicago Sun Times Newspaper and is both a short video and transcript of a speech given by Michelle Obama about the problems of childhood Obesity and her campaign for "Lets Move".
8. “Origins and evolution of the Western Diet: Health implications for the 21st Century.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 81, No.2, 341-354, February 2005. 6 July 2010. <.http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/81/2/341>
This article introduces the reader to the human diet and how it has changed in regards to our own evolution and the implications involved with the additions of processed foods. It takes in to account the many macro and micro nutrients we need for a balanced diet as well as how processed foods have evolved faster than our bodies are capable of dealing with and why the increased consumption of these foods has lead to disease. This is an academic article that is produced by a reputable source which can be seen from the journal it was published in as well as the many scientific studies and professionals which contributed to it. The information is expressed in a professional manner with charts, graphs, and studies to back up its’ claims.
9. Pollan, Michael, In Defense of Food. New York: Penguin Group Inc., 2008.
This is a book expressing the dangers of processed foods on varies levels including community, health, and biological sustainability. Pollan sets out to argue the harm of the American diet and the increases in disease and obesity as well as the flaws in how we view nutrition. He calls for the consumption of more fruits and vegetables for a healthier lifestyle while explaining a short history of the industrialization of foods and how science has failed us in regulating what is and what is not healthy. This book is written by a respected journalist who also teaches at Harvard increasing his credibility as a professional. The book contains references to many academic sources and studies with a bibliography of sources that is almost a chapter long, representing the immense amount of research that went into its’ production.
10. “Public Health takes aim at sugar and salt: Food Fight,” Harvard Public Health Review. Fall 2009. 6 July 2010. < http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hphr/files/HSPHFall09saltsugar.pdf>
This article sets out to educate the reader on the high amounts of hidden salts and sugars in processed foods and how diets high in sugar and sodium are linked to heart disease and cancers. It calls to action the nations change in how we view processed foods as well as the end of advertising processed salty, sugary sodas to children. This article is also from a respected source and contains a lot of tables and graphs to express its’ claims and research. Besides being from a reputable source the article contains many citations from research to support its claims. This article is a scholarly source that explains the harm processed foods are causing in the American society and sets out a plan for change. This article also expresses the policies of foreign countries and what they have done to try to limit the extent of peoples’ consumption of processed foods which gives my research a well rounded appeal by expressing other countries stances on the issue.
11. Recipies. Whole Foods Market. http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipies
A source used to obtain some of the recipies used in this website as well as a resourceful guide for parents who want more recipes and nutritional information.
12. Ron Winslow, “A Guilt-Free Hamburger.” Wall Street Journal (Online). 18 May 2010. 5 July 2010. <http://0-proquest.umi.com.catalog.library.colostate.edu/pqdweb?index=0&did=2035108541&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1278015706&clientId=951>.
This article expresses the idea that red meat is not necessarily the culprit for heart disease but instead is due to processed meats. Using scientific evidence and studies the article shows correlation between higher risks of heart disease from processed meats then unprocessed red meats while suggesting that diets higher in fruits and vegetables then high in red meats is still considered healthier. This article is a scholarly source which can be found in the use of studies from Harvard and other scientific studies cited in this piece. Even though the journal this article is published in is considered a more popular journal the language and use of respected sources as evidence for the claims being made in this piece make it a credible source.
13. Sherry Baker, “Processed Foods Linked to Lung Cancer,” Natural News.com. 30 December 2008. 5 July 2010. <http://www.naturalnews.com/025201_cancer_lung_foods.html>
This article examines processed foods containing inorganic phosphates and their link to certain cancers including lung disease. Using scientific study this article clearly points out that despite evidence of inducing cancers inorganic phosphates are being used in more and more processed foods. This article I would consider credible because of the countless studies, quotes, and scientific information that is offered to make this argument. The author, Sherry Baker, is also the Health Sciences Editor which adds to her credibility as a journalist.
14. Stephanie Jew, Suhad S. AbuMweis, Peter J.H. Jones. “The Evolution of the Human Diet:Linking our Ancestral Diet to Modern Functional Foods as a Means of Chronic Disease Prevention.” Journal of Medicinal Food. October 2009, 12(5): 925-934. doi:10.1089/jmf.2008.0268
<http://0www.liebertonline.com.catalog.library.colostate.edu/doi/abs/10.1089/jmf.2008.0268 >
This article sets out to explain how our sources of nutrition have changed and have lead to a major increase in sugar, omega-6, and salt intake and less nutritional substances coming from our ancestral diet of mainly fruits and vegetables. It sets out to explore the possibilities of disease due to our changing diet as well as expressing the benefits of certain nutrients and there sources. This is a scholarly article which can be seen in its use of language, format, and the fact that it is in the Journal of Medicinal Food. The argument is well put together with several studies listed to uphold credibility as well as expressing the opposing sides’ argument on what exactly our ancestral diet was.
