FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD: How Big Ag is killing the banana, 15K is the new 10K steps, and what’s missing in the Western diet

Welcome to Friday’s For The Love of Food, Summer Tomato’s weekly link roundup. 

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This week how Big Ag is killing the banana, 15K is the new 10K steps, and what’s missing in the Western diet. 

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Links of the week

• Humans Made the Banana Perfect—But Soon, It’ll Be Gone < In case you haven’t heard, the Cavendish banana that we all know and love is nearing annihilation, just as the Gros Michel before it. This isn’t surprising, it’s the natural result of the monocultures in which all our major crops our grown. If this topic is new to you, this article is a must read. (Wired)
• The Psychedelic Miracle < The renaissance of research around hallucinogenic drugs is one of the most exciting developments in psychology in decades. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, and many more common psychological afflictions are all tremendously improved by guided sessions (sometimes only 1) with little to no side effects. This long read is one of the most powerful articles I’ve read on the subject. (Rolling Stone)
• The Scientist Harnessing ‘Toxic Fat’ < Super interesting new research on what may be responsible for the deleterious effects of diabetes. Hint: it’s not insulin. (The Atlantic)
• Our best shot at cooling the planet might be right under our feet < Great read about how organic farming may be the most effective approach to thwart global warming. (The Guardian)
• Cardiovascular Deaths Linked to Poor Dietary Choices < Interestingly, this research found a bigger problem over what is missing from the Western diet (vegetables, nuts and seeds, intact grains, fruit, fish) than what it contains (processed crap). (NY Times)
• The biggest threat facing middle-age men isn’t smoking or obesity. It’s loneliness. < This goes for women too. Remember that maintaining your social connections is just as important as eating your vegetables. I’m looking at you, moms and dads. (Boston Globe)
• Should 15,000 Steps a Day Be Our New Exercise Target? < Not surprisingly, being even more active is associated with even more benefits. Don’t let this discourage you though, anything more than you’re doing is beneficial. (NY Times)
• The mysterious demise of Lucky Peach magazine and its uncertain future < This bums me out tremendously. (Washington Post)
• HARDBOILED WONDERLAND & THE EGGS OF THE WORLD < The only thing I can say is that this is worth clicking through, if only for the pictures. (Cleaver Quarterly)
• Monsanto Weed Killer Roundup Faces New Doubts on Safety in Unsealed Documents < A friendly reminder that big Ag companies actively hide essential safety information from you and me and the EPA. They aren’t our friends. (NY Times)
• A pioneer of humanely raised meat is betting the farm on Blue Apron < I’m cautiously optimistic about this development. Hoping this works and provides a model for more companies to look into legit grass-fed meat resources at scale. (Washington Post)
• Cooking at home tonight? It’s likely cheaper and healthier, study finds < Learning to cook at home remains one of the best investments you can make for your health (and wallet). (ScienceDaily)
• How Close Do You Need to Be to Your Gym? < It’s easy to forget what a huge factor this is. For me personally, the numbers in this article need to be changed from miles to blocks in order to be realistic. (WSJ)
• Meta-analysis: Impact of carbohydrate vs. fat calories on energy expenditure and body fatness < Hint: they’re pretty much the same. (Stephan Guyenet)
• Creamy Vegan Saag Paneer (With Tofu) Recipe < I LOVE this classic Indian dish with spinach and cheese, but being lactose intolerant I’ve never been able to handle the cheese well. Will definitely be trying this tofu alternative (chickpeas are a nice option too). (Serious Eats)

What inspired you this week?

from Summer Tomato http://www.summertomato.com/for-the-love-of-food-how-big-ag-is-killing-the-banana-15k-is-the-new-10k-steps-and-whats-missing-in-the-western-diet
via Holistic Clients