GMO, transfats, WWYD?

[HerthElde]

We were over at a family member's house for supper recently and I was faced with a choice. The available veggies were either boiled (not steamed, I don't think they know how) and slathered in margarine ("0g transfats", but we all know that means less than 1g per serving) or baked with conventional tomatoes (possibility of GMO tomatoes - how can you tell if they're not organic). The salad was drenched in conventional dressing (uses non-organic canola oil - is GMO approved for that yet? The ILs have given us a sample bottle of FrankenCanola oil - they grow grain and that includes "test crops" of the GMO stuff so they get free samples). Of course, then they topped of the meal with conventional chicken (hormone-laden, I'm sure), corn (again, maybe GMO) and potato salad made with a canola mayo.
Now, I firmly believe that food can be a very social thing and that the spirit in which the food was made is important to the energy food can impart to the body. But, for pity's sake, what's a girl to eat in a case like this?! And more important than that, what on earth to feed the kids?

[GalateaDunkel]

"When you go into a house, eat and drink whatever is set before you." - Jesus Christ

[holliq]

We have made the choice to eat healthy when we are in our home. We occasionally fix something that may be considered a splurge. We have also decided to eat what a host or hostess has prepared when we are in someone else's home. I don't want to offend anyone that is trying to show us hospitality. That being said, it is still hard when the food that is being offered goes against everything I believe in. If the majority of our meals are healthy at home, I find it easier to be lenient when we go out.

[saratc]

with conventional tomatoes (possibility of GMO tomatoes - how can you tell if they're not organic).

Non-GMO, non-organic tomatoes purchased as produce will have a 4-digit number on the label. GMO tomatoes will have a 5-digit number with "4" as the first digit. Organic tomatoes will have a 5-digit number with "9" as the first digit. Until they start changing the regulations, organic produce are supposed to be non-GMO.

When DH and I are out or at a friend's house, we make do. We eat smaller portions and try our best to stick with the basics. We tend to ask for no dressing, or no topping/sauce/spread to avoid the bad oils and potential transfats. I carry around my own salt and prefer my food bland with salt than with junk on it. Often, we go home and eat again.

In terms of social get togethers, we often decline invitations to dinner with an excuse but reschedule for another day with dinner at our house.

[HerthElde]

Originally Posted by saratc

Non-GMO, non-organic tomatoes purchased as produce will have a 4-digit number on the label. GMO tomatoes will have a 5-digit number with "4" as the first digit. Organic tomatoes will have a 5-digit number with "9" as the first digit. Until they start changing the regulations, organic produce are supposed to be non-GMO.

Interesting. I'm in Canada, I wonder if we're doing the same (I know we have the 5 digit codes for organic, not sure about GMO, though).

I'm glad to hear that everyone else pretty much does the same as us. GalateaDunkel, thank you for that quote, that sums up my feelings nicely.
Still, I sure wish they'd just stop selling fake food and then we wouldn't even be faced with the issue.

[Ruthla]

I'd probably eat a little bit of everything that was served and enjoy the company, unless there are allergies or spiritual/religious reasons to avoid any of the food. For example, I'd be reading the ingredient lists on the margarine and salad dressings to check for BHT, BHA, TBHQ, artificial colors and flavors before I'd allow any of my kids to eat it (major behavioral reactions for middle DD, minor behavioral reactions in the other two.) I wouldn't eat anything that's not kosher, and a vegetarian would skip the chicken. I won't buy anything with hydrogenated oils, or even with vegetable oils that are highly processed, but I will eat those if somebody else serves them to me.

Allergies and spiritual issues aside, if it's just a matter of overall good nutrition, I wouldn't worry about the effects of a single meal.

[AJP]

I don't think there are any GMO tomotoes currently in commercial production. The FlavrSavr tomato was a flop, no one wanted to buy it because it was apparently even worse tasting than regular storebought tomatoes, and they have since focused their efforts on other GMO crops.

See http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Publ...-GMO/index.cfm

In a situation like you mention, I would try to be polite, but eat only enough so as to not reject their hospitality, and not pass out from hunger, and then eat real food after I got home. With enough warning that we'll be in a fix like that, we eat some good food beforehand and/or take along something that stays in the car for snacking on the way home, like homemade muffins, fruit, cheese, etc. I wouldn't make an issue or even comment, just take very small portions and perhaps not finish ("thanks, that was great, I'm stuffed!". If people take offense because you don't eat mass quantities of their poison food, well that's their issue. Or you could claim to have delicate digestion, thank them for their generosity, and apologize for having to bring your own food (something bland but safe, like brown rice and steamed broccoli). With the free samples of GMO oils, I'd say something like "I'm concerned that the safety of eating GM foods has not been proven, and prefer to avoid them", if they got bent out of shape about that, then oh well, I'd rather someone think I'm a food snob (which I am) than pretend to embrace GMOs.

[Pinky Tuscadero]

If I know I'm going to be faced with eating unhealthy I will eat lots of raw fruits and veggies and maybe something fermented to help digest the nasties. I do this every Sunday before we go to the in law's. Plus, I try to take something to share that I've prepared and then fill up on that!

[Sharondio]

As the others mentioned, allergies aside, I pretty much eat what my hosts provide. Yes, I do scan the table and try to pick the least upsetting options, but mostly I just enjoy the food and enjoy the company.

NT is my way of life, but I do not expect everyone to follow or to even understand. I try my best within my house and hope for the best outside of my house.