Comments on: Nutrition / Frugality Series: What Foods & How Much?

By: Shirley

Shirley — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:56:45 +0000

Josh, thank you for the kind comments. Unless I am confusing this with something else, and I don’t think I am, I actually was going to use the Harvard pyramid plan when I first was writing this article, and the only reason I didn’t was because at the time they were recommending soy so heavily. After reading your message I have just looked at the plan again and I am amazed to see that the soy emphasis is no longer there. So without it I agree… the Harvard plan is good advice… I will be adding a second pyramid post about it to this nutrition series in the next few days. Thanks for mentioning this. I wouldn’t have looked at the Harvard plan again without your comment.

By: Josh

Josh — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:58:36 +0000

Hi, first off I want to thank you for this great blog. Your posts are very insightful and heart warming and have been a source of many hours of learning and diversion. Even though you say in this post that are pretty set on USDA guidelines, I still would recommend reading up on The Healthy Eating Pyramid by The Harvard School of Public Health: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/pyramid-full-story/index.html I think you are already implementing most of the advice from this pyramid anyway, but in a nut shell it mainly takes into consideration good and bad carbs, meat, and fats instead of lumping them all together without distinction. The main problem with relying on the USDA’s guidelines are that they are based only loosely on science and are created mainly to benefit agricultural business. Advice such as minimizing all fats is down right dangerous when they should make up a large portion of your diet so long as you stick with the good fats. If you want a more detailed reading on The Healthy Eating Pyramid and all the science that went into it, check out the book Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy, by Walter C. Willett. Thanks again for this wonderful blog.

By: Shirley

Shirley — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:05:50 +0000

Thank you… yes, Esther, there will be sample menus with meals using the nutrition requirements and with an eye towards frugality. Also some recipes for dishes in these menus!

By: Esther T.

Esther T. — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:03:52 +0000

I can see by looking at these charts that I need to work on my meal planning some. I try to keep meals nutricious but I think some of my figures were off as far as what people should be getting is concerned. Will you be giving some sample menus before the series is over? That would really be helpful to people like me who need just a little more step by step detail. Planning meals and trying to keep on budget is hard!

By: Patti B, mother of 6

Patti B, mother of 6 — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:02:53 +0000

I like your emphasis on nutrition. It is the first step in any menu planning, or it should be, but so often it gets pushed to the last step in favor of saving money at all costs. I have six Little Ones entrusted to my care and it is up to me to make sure they are getting what they need at meal times. I think your series is going to make that job a little easier. Thank you.

By: George G.

George G. — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:01:57 +0000

This is a wonderful post — thank you — I have tried to find this information from various sources without much luck and here you have it all together in a nice easy-to-read form. I am really going to enjoy this series.