Food Inc., The Omnivore’s Dilemma and food choices at Pupusa Griddle

The movie Food Inc. and book The Omnivore’s Dilemma underscore the need to make thoughtful choices about the preparation of the foods that go into our bodies. Both also parallel the food-selection philosophy of Pupusa Griddle Catering.

At the Pupusa Griddle, we are committed in serving quality products such as air-chilled Mary’s Free-Range Chicken and free range eggs. The beef has to be at least free range and, if possible, 100 percent grass-fed.

My wife, Arlene, and I try to eat at home before we go out, because foods available from many restaurants can use ingredients with questionable origins.

For example, beef and chicken can be raised in abhorrent conditions and fed genetically modified (GMO) corn. Such feed is increasingly difficult for ranchers to avoid. We are purchasing free-range 100 percent grass-fed beef for our personal consumption. It costs more, so we eat meat less often and in smaller portions. Truth is, we don’t need so much protein. Today even the “clean” meats are “unclean,” because man’s greed and brutal treatment of animals have become commonplace in the meat industry.

Trans fatty acids, or trans fats for short, were a common replacement for animal fats such as butter and lard and saturated vegetable fats such as palm oil. However, the folly of that replacement in increasing risk for heart disease has turned the tide against use of trans fats. As of Jan. 1, 2010, California food facilities are are prohibited from using artificial trans fats, except when making doughnuts and other deep-fried cake batters. By 2011 those exceptions will be dropped.

The next step will be to persuade the market to eschew the use of high-fructose corn syrup, which is linked to obesity and diabetes, and massive feed lots. Likely, it will take a miracle to get past the giant food-producer lobby.