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July 25, 2006
Do the Math
In response to some of my comments:
10 grams of fat in controlled foods looks to me like all the fat these kids are getting, since the uncontrolled foods are either obviously foods with only a trace of fat (like veggies) or labeled as "fat-free." 10 grams of fat is a lot less than 15% - 20% of any calorie level that I imagine these kids are on. Let's see... 10 grams of fat has 90 calories. That's less than 10% of a 1000 calorie a day diet, which would be way too low for almost anyone who wasn't extremely petite and attempting hardcore CR. And the fats consumed aren't healthy fats -- they're fats found in the meats. I'm all for eating meat from time to time, though I prefer eggwhites and nonfat dairy. I'd be much happier if they'd just add flax and olive oil to these kids' veggies (the nutrients would absorb better too!) and a measured, weighed, calorie-controlled amount of hazelnuts or almonds to meals or snacks.
As to the commenter who wondered if fat people didn't already have enough fat, the fat stores someone is carrying around reflect his or her previous diet. Somehow I doubt that these kids got fat over-indulging in extra virgin olive oil. The fat they are carrying around is most likely French fry grease, not high in essential fatty acids or anything else anyone would want to consume for health. And fat stores aren't a great source of dietary fat. Sure, you can go lower calorie for awhile if you're carrying your own tank of fuel around, but this isn't a solution to getting the nutrients the body needs.
I'm off today to New York to do an interview with New York Magazine. I'll be cooking a CR feast, and three other CR Society members will be attending. MR is coming, of course. Kieffer and Philo are staying at home, where Uncle Luke and Aunt Christine will be checking on them.
Posted by april at July 25, 2006 6:13 AM
Comments
I just recently found your blog (oh what a life saver) and read about these megamuffins....
so did you fine-tune the recipe? God I'm dying to know what it is.... I'm all about eating on the run - at least lately.
(I'm reading your back entries from a year ago - great stuff!)
:)
Posted by: Joanna at July 25, 2006 11:25 AM
I think you should e-mail this guy too. (The fat school principal you know from Yale). If they are not reminded otherwise, those types of people just keep making money on disadvantured people like there is no tomorrow, and I find that really sick. Somebody has to remind him and all the parents who send their fat kids to his school that he is majorly wrong and some people unlike his pupils who are much too young to realize actually figured that out.
Posted by: zeynep at July 25, 2006 6:50 PM
It mentioned that salads and soups would make up some of the "uncontrolled" foods. Surely there would be some fat content (hopefully "good" fats) in these, such as in the dressing or naturally occuring in the grains or even the meat of whatever soup is being served. I do love your blog by the way--it is a great aid in keeping me motivated with my diet. I was just surprised that you made a big deal about this without even knowing the full story. Especially since you have some connection with the gentleman involved in the school, it would make much more sense for you to contact him with your questions and see what is really going on (and give your suggestions on the menu--such getting rid of the bagels) rather than just accuse the company of destroying the brains of the children they are trying to help based on speculation.
Posted by: AH at July 25, 2006 10:14 PM
Correction: I do look and see now that the soups and dressings are fat free, but I still stand by what I say. These kids are more likely than not getting 10%-15% of their calories from fat, and that is enough to keep them healthy. Even "fat-free" has fat--just less than .5 grams per serving. It is very difficult to eat less than fifteen grams of fat a day, no matter how much you regulate what you consume. And I still don't think that it is as deadly as a problem as you made it seem, at least not in comparison to the weight problem that the teens have. I do think you should contact him though and offer your advice on improving the menu, it could be better and it would be good to see them get their fat calories from better sources.
Posted by: AH at July 25, 2006 10:23 PM
Hi,
I think you are totally off. I attended AOS and I absolutely loved it. I lost 55 lbs very quickly and I never felt starved. I was never hungry, dizzy or malnourished. It was excellent. True growing bodies typically need around 50 grams fo fat per day, but that is typically and when ONE meal contains 100 grams at mcdonalds our youth is in what we could consider an epidemic. Please do not insult it. the food was not bad and we were not abused.
Posted by: Sarah at September 15, 2006 11:53 PM