Vegetarian in Japan - Ep.5 Response to GMO Concern

[greentea11]

genetically modified food isn't food that has been sprayed by anything, or have hormones. although what you are talking about is still problematic to human health, and it IS much better to eat organic for a variety of reasons, GMOs are a separate and equally disturbing problem. GMO are made by companies for different reasons, usually to be resistant to certain herbicides, or to kill pests that would eat/destroy the produce. both chemically altered food and GMO's probably should be avoided.

[GraceDemon]

Weetabix are awesome. I have them all the time when I'm visiting family in the UK. We use to get these compact bars of basically the same stuff as the cereal (only a little finer) and you put them in a bowl with milk and brake them up.

And on a random side note, I like you have a ghost, your curtain kept moving by its self during the video. XD

[Kiraina]

Even cereals like these are still processed foods. A better choice would always be rolled oats.

[LifeInShiga]

You are definitely right! However, rolled oats are much harder to come by here and are very expensive. When I can, money and availability permitting, I buy only raw foods.

Thanks for watching!

[JappaPie]

I really enjoy all of your videos! I agree with your view on these topics and I am also vegetarian(and love japan!), so these videos are really helpful! I was wondering if you've seen any almond milk in Japan?

[LifeInShiga]

Thank you!

I have not seen any almond at the regular supermarkets, but I'm sure it is available at a foreign food store in Kyoto, Osaka, etc. I will keep an eye open for it. I just found soy yogurt and it is fantastic!

[ChillNAndy]

yea really these days its hard to feed yourself the right stuff but iam sure there are specific stores in japan that sell teh good stuff for a good price hopefully.. like local farm markets?

Hey brotha thanks for all the cool recent vids!

just wanted to ask.. on how are you keeping fit? i work out 3 times a week with free weights to stay in shape. Are you signed up to a gym or do you just go for like a run outside?

[LifeInShiga]

There are a few farmer's markets here and they do have great prices. Even the local super markets have great quality produce for decent prices. I hope to do a video on the farmer's markets soon.

Believe it or not, I haven't really ever worked out. I have gone to the gym in the past, but it never lasted more than a couple weeks. I am pretty active, I cycle and walk a lot. My diet has kept the body fat off for years and my cholesterol down too. There are gyms here though, even Gold's.

[e30bimmwha]

Organic is a big farce as well. Many big US companies simply pay to have the USDA ORGANIC badge put on. Think about companies like heinz ketchup claiming to be organic, or Dole. Its better to get local foods if possible. the label has become a brand logo. its all propaganda. its like when people buy organic eggs that claim to be cage free. it doesn't matter so much if they are cage free. look at what they eat. if the yoke is any color other than deep orange like yellow, it was fed junk.

[LifeInShiga]

Sad, but true, you are absolutely right! As I mentioned, these companies are in the business to make money and not produce healthy products.

Here it's a different story, nearly every grocery store offers locally grown produce. Now, of course, they do import things that aren't grown in Japan, but they are really picky about it and only get the best stuff.

Oh, and eggs, I could never dream of eggs fresher than what is sold here.

Thanks for the comment... I could talk for months about this!

[RisuMiso]

Japanese people live forever (and remain quite active in old age). That should be proof enough that food here is generally quite healthy.

[LifeInShiga]

Yes indeed. Even though they don't label their produce as being organic, I see the farmers and I'm pretty sure it would pass the U.S. laws for organic produce.

[Doomdauk]

I live in the UK and Weetabix is very popular here, a lot of people eat it, it's healthy, there's advertisements for it everywhere etc.

[LifeInShiga]

I agree. I never heard of it until I moved to Japan, but I am a huge fan of it now!

[worldgenius]

i wish u would make a video showing us different cutting techniques, because you were literally the first person to see the spoon trick with the bannana. i would appreciate it if you would make a video explaining the technique.

[LifeInShiga]

okay, i will do a cutting video. :)

[LifeInShiga]

Well, yes, everything has a benefit and a side-effect, everything. What you need to decide is that, are they benefits (for you) better than the side-effects and then choose based on that.

As for soy, there are arguments for and against it's health benefits, equally for both sides.

In my opinion (I'm no expert) I choose soy over cow milk any day.

Also,fermented soy products (miso, natto, soy sauce) are way healthier than non-fermented soy products (soy milk, tofu).

[sakuraevolution]

As the world's population grows ever larger, I can't imagine that organic will be a choice for everyone as we come to rely even more heavily on intensive agriculture involving fertilizers and pesticides... unless perhaps we commit ourselves to reducing our consumption of meat (especially beef) so that resources necessary for that industry (water, feed crops, etc.) can be diverted to crops that people can instead directly consume.

[LifeInShiga]

You absolutely hit the nail on the head! I agree 100%!!

Besides eating up resources (literally), feedlots contribute to more greenhouse gases than do cars!

[YellowMarmalade]

I'm eating mini weetabix as I'm watching this : D

[LifeInShiga]

I bet they are really delicious! Do you live in the U.K.?

[YellowMarmalade]

yes I do and yes they are :)

[e30bimmwha]

Soy mimics estrogen. they feed it to prisoners to lower violence in jails.

[LifeInShiga]

Very interesting...

[TheCurrahee101st]

Good vid. I'm glad you brought this issue to the table, and that you do understand how it effects the ways of life. If everyone knew whats going on, this world would be changing in alot of ways real fast. That cereal is good. Alot of cereals are really bad. I have a few organic stores here that really have some good products. Thank you for this vid.

[LifeInShiga]

You are welcome and yes it is a serious issue, one I try very hard to address and understand in my daily life.

Before long, it will become very difficult to find organic foods.

[kansaiPJ]

Not sure how I come out on the issue of GM foods, but I found your discussion of it very thoughtful. Thanks for that.

[LifeInShiga]

Anytime, I'm just glad I can help.