My peanut butter article
Posted by anisa on Sep 14, 2007 · Member since Apr 2007 · 24 posts
Hey everyone,
I wrote this article for my school paper, let me know what you think :)
http://www.unlvrebelyell.com/article/2007/09/13/rebel-nutrition-benefiting-from-peanut-butter/
That IS a great article, very well written. Is the protein in peanuts a complete protein? You mentioned that they moved peanut butter to the "meat" section of the food pyramid because of it's high amounts of good oil. This has me thinking, why is meat in the "meat" section of the food pyramid, there arn't any good oils in that? In my opinion meat should be at the top with sweets and oils.
For it to be a complete protein, one would need to combine it with either grains, nuts or seeds. Also, peanut butter was moved bumped up to the meat section because of its high protein. I agree though, meat should be at the top. Food pyramids from other countries are far different from ours:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.neac.eat-online.net/images/resources/italy/pyramid_med.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.neac.eat-online.net/resources/italy/mediterranean_diet.htm&h=866&w=800&sz=100&tbnid=pvb3LYGFOErrFM:&tbnh=145&tbnw=134&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmediterranean%2Bfood%2Bpyramid%26um%3D1&start=2&sa=X&oi=images&ct=image&cd=2
oh man, that article just made me feel bad about my love of Skippy. I know it's sooo bad for the body, but there's something about Skippy that really does it for me... maybe it's the density of carcinogens/tasty-awesomeness?
Anisa,
Your article on peanut butter was interesting and informative, covering a topic that would be read by so many, regardless of whether the readers are omnivorous or vegan, diet-consciuos or not. So many of us just love peanut butter but are unaware of the effects of, or differences between, the natural and commercial brands.
Your news story was well-researched. I could tell you did your homework. I thought you explained well what "hydrogenated" means as so many foods, not just peanut butter are made with it. Also helpful was the information on storing peanuts and peanut butter, that part about storing the peanut butter upside-down. Great tip.
One criticism. It might have also been a good idea to explain what LDL stands for. Although many smart vegwebbers here know what it is, others might not know that LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein, the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. If too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the artery walls that feed the heart and brain. Arteriosclerosis. Heart disease.
Overall though, your article was also well-written and edited. It was a concise story that kept my interest from the very beginning with your tight lead, followed by a succinct series of sentences that seamlessly flow with graceful transitions.
Anisa, I wish I could read more stories like yours not just in the university newspapers but also in the more widely-circulated dailes. I have seen so many poorly written, edited stories make it to print. Yours fortunately was not. Your article demonstrated excellent reporting, writing, objectivity and enterprise.
Saskia
Saskia,
Thank you very much for the kind words, my editor is great too :) Thanks for the advice as well, that is an important fact. My paper lets me write a nutrition related story twice a month so I try to make it count. I am thinking about doing a story on fast food next. During the spring semester I wrote about how bad all the fast food on campus is and how to make good choices while eating on campus. If you would like to read more of my articles just click on my name and it will take you to them.
Thanks Again,
Anisa
Saskia,
Thank you very much for the kind words, my editor is great too :) Thanks for the advice as well, that is an important fact. My paper lets me write a nutrition related story twice a month so I try to make it count. I am thinking about doing a story on fast food next. During the spring semester I wrote about how bad all the fast food on campus is and how to make good choices while eating on campus. If you would like to read more of my articles just click on my name and it will take you to them.
Thanks Again,
Anisa
You're welcome, Anisa. I was a journalism professor and so I especially enjoyed reading it. I look forward to reading more of your columns.
I'm currently sitting here eating an apple with peanut butter (and some peanut butter by itself ;)) I'll have to read you're article
oh man, that article just made me feel bad about my love of Skippy. I know it's sooo bad for the body, but there's something about Skippy that really does it for me... maybe it's the density of carcinogens/tasty-awesomeness?
fret not! try skippy natural - it has the exact same texture of skippy and jif but has waaaaaaaay less ingredients. so good.