Category: Health

English, not Black

Many people have heard that they can get their Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acid requirements by eating 5 walnuts a day. Well, apparently it matters what kind of walnut you eat. The National Academy Of Sciences states that the AI ( Adequate Intake ) of Omega 3 EFAs for men is 1.6 grams a day and 1.1 grams per day for women.

1 ounce of Black Walnuts has only 0.6 grams of Omega 3 EFAs.

1 ounce ( 28.34 grams) of English Walnuts has 2.5 grams of Omega 3 EFAs. That is about 7 English walnuts or 14 halves.

That will add 185 calories and and 4 grams of protein to your diet. In comparison 1 tablespoon of whole brown flaxseeds ( you need to grind it before eating it ) which also has about 2.5 grams of Omega 3 EFAs, will only add 55 calories and about 2 grams of protein to your diet.

If you are watching your weight flax seeds are the better choice as an Omega 3 source. On the other hand, if you are not watching your weight English walnuts are easier to get and easier to eat.

An apology for MSG?

This article questions whether or not MSG has gotten a bum wrap.

If MSG is so bad for you, why doesn’t everyone in Asia have a headache?

I got the impression that both sides of the argument are lame. Interestingly, the author will not use MSG in his own kitchen.

Glutamate is found in all of the ‘alternate names’ list, and corresponds with some of Dr. Neil Barnards’s comments in one of his books about food addictions.

For those who don’t want to read the article here is a list of alternate names that MSG may be listed under( from the article):

  • monopotassium glutamate
  • glutavene
  • glutacyl
  • glutamic acid
  • autolyzed yeast extract
  • calcium caseinate
  • sodium caseinate
  • E621 (E620-625 are all glutamates)
  • Ajinomoto, Ac’cent
  • Gourmet Powder

Also, lookout for any kind of hydrolyzed protein or yeast extract.