Sorry, but “aluminum escaping into food” is not the reason why people sometimes get sick when they eat from dented cans. You’re right that it breaks a seal, and that allows bacteria to grow inside. The bacterias, or the toxins they leave behind, result in illness. The process of canning is discussed more here
And I believe FCM has it right–most “tin cans” are steel, lined with tin (to prevent rusting).
Big Business is no different from the average person, who is interested in exactly the same thing.
easy e-you’re right
most food cans are steel/tin etc.
but some are aluminum and so is food wrap and beverage containers. This is not a thread on aluminum.
I’ve just noiticed how much of a chunk “eating out” has taken out of my moneybags. I just can’t believe it sometimes.
Being a cook and columnist on similar subjects, I really pay attention and am soooooo bummmed out, almost every single time I eat out, because of the lack of quality in the meal, and the price it cost me. Convenience, I know, but frankly, I’d rather do dishes all night than spend a bunch o dough on something that is hardly satisfying and completely adulterated.
I can buy 4 bags of groceries or more on what a Minneapolis restaurant, cafe, diner etc. charges me for a single (usually unsatisfyingly gross) meal.
True, most people don’t cook, but I’m simply pointing out the benefits of doing so. I purchase my food in bulk, (dried beans, grains, nuts, oils) fresh produce (I’m lucky to be close to a Coop that has the best selection of predominatly organic stuff)and meats (same place, that advocates farm and free-range instead of factory farmed antibiotic pumped meat)ok, and I cook…I’m lucky, I know. I’m not preaching…just healthier
Well now, we can’t really judge how healthy you are until you disclose all of your daily habits.
TEE HEEE…Thats a bit priveleged information I’m afraid.
good try though…
TEEE HEEE…Then don’t claim to be healthier…
Gwyllian,
You seem to be committed and passionate, which makes you a good Doper. A slightly belated welcome to the boards.
However, you need to formulate your positions better. You started out talking about the cost of eating out, and veered off into some highly suspect and debatable assertions about food quality.
First off, in 1900, the average American typically ate home-cooked meals, prepared with “fresh whole foods instead of preservative laden processed ones” – and the average life expectancy was 47 years old. Today it’s about 77. If our foods are poisoning us, they’re sure taking a long time to do it.
Secondly, the problems with eating out are portion size, fat and salt – all of which can be easily solved by the eater simply by choosing better items from the menu, or eating at a restaurant that puts a little more effort into its recipes. Big buisiness does not yet rule our lives so completely that there is a law that says we have to eat at (name your least favorite fast food joint.)
Thirdly, as noted in previous posts, packaging and utensils of various types have been around for years, and there’s no hard evidence of any link to disease, death, etc. As asked before, why does the industry want to kill its customers. I can buy aluminum foil, wax paper or plastic wrap from the same company. Since the money from any of them goes to the same place, what would be their reason for deliberately selling something that will kill me before my natural span of being a consumer ends?
Finally, please get your facts straight on terminator seeds. They were developed by a state university (not “the government”) but NO ONE is distributing them – not any kind of side, not anywhere, not for any reason. The big corporation (Monsanto) that currently has the rights to the technology has said repeatedly that they have no plans to develop it.
As to your original point, there are five people in my family. Three of them are students with highly irregular schedules, the other two of us work and are lucky to be home by 6:30. We manage to cook from scratch about 3 or 4 times a week. But we don’t really have the time to “do dishes all night” every night. So please don’t be so judgmental.
LOL
Welcome to the SDMB, Gwyllian.
I believe the biggest danger from dented cans is that they might actually be punctured, allowing the entrance of bacteria. Old-fashioned, 100% organic E. Coli and botulism. 
I think the best argument for eating fresh veggies vs. canned is that the fresh stuff is more nutritious and tastes better. The canning process actually cooks food longer than you would if you were going to serve it immediately. (Someone posted that here on the boards - maybe Chef Troy?)
Sorry, I can’t agree that the purpose of food additives is to help out the health industry. That sounds a little paranoid to me.
I did learn about terminator seeds. Thanks for that, Gwyllian and pldennison.
Some vitamin deficiencies can cause disjointed and rambling statements, as well as paranoia.
paranoid? again, I LOL…
I’m not so paranoid…
and I’m not limiting the discussion to anything in particular on this thread.
thanks NURSE CARMEN- such an intelligent statement, I’ll keep that in mind LOLOLOL
I think you all are missing something vitally important. Aluminum cans can be extremely dangerous, cut that thing in have and you have a potent weapon.
Gwyllian-Um…A thread is limited in it’s very nature…
I don’t know why you are all being so harsh with Gwyllian. When I was in the US I was surprised by the amount of times that people ate out and how bland and processed the food was. I was surprised when my friends went on about making a homemade pie and then proceeded to use canned fruit filling and ready-made pastry! That’s assembled not homemade.
I guess if you are going to a restaurant that serves fresh vegetables/salads and quality fish/meat then health is not the issue, however my guess is that people are more likely to go for cheaper fastfood and so health is an issue. Also if families are not spending quality time together at meals, communicating and interacting, that’s not good for family relations and personal growth etc.
The supermarket aisles in the states totally amazed me, I have never seen so much processed food before - I guess people must buy it or it wouldn’t be there? I was fooled into buying some of it and it was too gross.
And we all know that America has the most overweight people in the world, followed by Australia. So I think Gwyllian has a point, are you all just being defensive?
MelCthefirst-
thanks for your post, I have been home working for a couple days and I must admit, even when I’m not in front of the computer, I 've been thinking about how defensive most people have been on my thread. I’m new here on this MB and luckily, have enough confidence to not be "too offended " but man o man
Could it be that most (American) people eat out and buy processed food so much that they are just full of anger, bouncing off the walls, bashing me for my opinion, knowledge and caring intellect?
hahahaahaha
I think the problem is how Gwyllian structured her arguement. It put people on the defensive from the get go.
I think the reason America has the most overweight people is not necessarily because of the types of foods sold in stores. In my opinion it has more to do with our consumer culture than anything else.
Gwyllian-the problem with your posts is that you come off as arrogant. This is the problem, not processed foods.
Fairychatmom-
oh yeah, BTW I was talking about synthetic vitamins, not organic vitamins
Gwyllian, I believe everyone concedes your point that there are far too many over processed foods in the U.S. What we also will concede is that your Original Post was disjointed and incoherent. That won’t go unnoticed here.
Looking back at the first replies to your post, the commentary was more along the lines of “what the hell does this mean” than “heck no, there aren’t enough processed foods”. Your defensive and sometimes cryptic replies have not helped solidify your position. The mission of the SDMB is to fight ignorance, and the best way to complete that mission is with a clear dialogue. Please restate your position in a clear manner, and I assure you a respectful discussion. Until then, all I can say to your insightful rebuttal is: Nanny-nanny-boo-boo-stick-your-head-in-poo-poo.