Ice Cream: Coronary in a cone
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) recently distributed a press release stating that eating ice cream is essentially hazardous for your health. They claim that the number of calories and fat are so high, it seems that retailers are essentially trying to see who can contribute the most to the nation’s widening beltline. Click here to see the press release:
http://www.cspinet.org/new/200307231.html (this links to another web site)
Fortunately, I live in a state where such statements are denounced. Wisconsin is nicknamed America’s Dairyland (among other things) because it used to be the leading state in dairy production. This long heritage continues to keep dairy alive here. Despite federal milk price fixing (the closer to Eau Claire that milk is produced, the pricier it gets), Wisconsin is still the king of good dairy, as far as I’m concerned.
So, what’s wrong with ice cream and other dairy products? Are we so hot to blame what we eat that we can’t see where the real problem lies?
The following links lead to two articles from Madison newspapers. The first is from the Wisconsin State Journal and discusses the press release as well as local reaction. The second is somewhat related, but describes how four men in their 70s and 80s are still going strong.
http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=/tct/2003/07/24/0307240107.php (this links to another web site)
http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=/madison.com/html/archive_files/wsj/2003/07/24/0307230633.php (this links to another web site)
Here’s my take on the subject, and the State Journal article quotes someone who says the same thing. All things in moderation will not kill you. It’s like drinking (hold on, I’m going somewhere with this). Studies indicate that one glass of red wine every night is actually good for your heart. However, a whole bottle regularly is not safe. I think the same can be said with dairy. A single-scoop ice cream (not custard) cone is loaded with calcium, vitamins A and D, and various natural fats that allow the body to digest it properly. When we go to custard, we’re adding protein. Admittedly, ice cream and custard are also loaded with fat and calories. But the benefits of good exercise and eating one or two cones weekly should far outweigh the dangers of added calories and fat. Add to that the delicious taste of a good, cold ice cream cone on a warm, summer day, and people start working out their smiling muscles. Happy people bring good relations, and all that.
Let’s face it, we are getting heavier. I hate shopping for clothes and finding only pants that are designed for larger people. But with proper exercise, we can continue eating the stuff that brings smiles to everyone’s faces on warm summer days.