Wednesday April 27, 2005

Stanford’s health site for its staff is full of random tidbits: For example, a cup of what is called 2% milk on the package may contain 5 grams of fat and 120 calories. In other words, 38% of its calories come from fat. It is a peculiarity of the labeling regulations that milk has been allowed to be called 2% fat because it’s 2% fat by weight (milk being mostly water), but 38% fat by calories, the more significant way of determining percent fat. Do you think milk would sell as well if it were called 38% fat milk?

I also never really thought about how peanuts (and consequently peanut butter) contain a lot of fiber.  In fact, I think I’ve just been confused about what constitutes fiber in the first place.  I’m about to turn a quarter of a century old and I haven’t even figured that out.  Imagine that.  Sure, I know that fruits and vegetables are generally high in fiber, but for some reason,  I was also under the impression that meat, which can be stringy and sinewy in nature, also contains “fiber”.  Thanks to 10 minutes spend in online health education, I have eradicated this ridiculous misconception.  No more chicken-spinach-tomato-soup smoothies for me!  Thanks, Stanford!