Tips For Staying Healthy This Summer
I am in full Summer Madness mode, and also a burgeoning public health charlatan.
Like many Americans, I've been watching with growing alarm as news spreads of the ongoing outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a severe intestinal infection caused by a microscopic parasite that can latch on to certain foods. The specific source of the larger-than-usual number of cases this year hasn't been conclusively identified– you leave Taco Bell alone, okay–but these things are often linked to produce like shredded lettuce, leafy herbs, berries, green onions and the like.
It's normal to be cautious in times like these–I personally give a wide berth to anything that causes medical types to use the word "explosive"–but it's hard to know how to proceed if you're not an expert.
Frankly, there's a lot of misinformation flying around out there. Just like during the pandemic, our social media feeds are filling up with shoddy pseudoscience peddled by opportunistic attention-seekers more interested in burnishing their own personal brands than giving sound public health advice.
I want in on that grift.
With that said, the ACBN's newly-launched Public Health Division is here with some tips on foods you can eat with confidence in these uncertain times.
Dry Goods
It's normal to crave salads. Despite what the brand I've built here might lead you to believe, I eat salads almost every day. This outbreak has been primarily linked to the things salads are made of, though. Until things blow over, there's nothing wrong with swapping out that arugula for a nice plate of pasta. It's heart-healthy, plant-based, and offers essential micronutrients like iron and B-vitamins, with none of the potential contamination concerns.
Certain Vegetables
Of course, you can't live on pasta alone, right?
Actually, you can. My kids did from roughly ages five through eight. You're not ages five through eight, though, and if you are, you should just scroll to the end of this newsletter and look at the cute animal pictures. The rest of this isn't for you.
No, if you do want to keep some fresh produce in your diet, look to vegetables that require peeling–you can wash them thoroughly and discard the outer layers for an extra level of protection.
Consider, for instance, onions!
Cheese
If you're cutting out greens like kale, you're going to want to up your calcium intake elsewhere. Consider working in some dairy products–in addition to the calcium, they're high in protein and Vitamin K2, which sounds like a mountain. (That's pretty badass.)
You don't have to sit around drinking glasses of milk like some kind of race car driver, either. Instead, try topping your dish with some shredded sharp cheddar cheese!
Legumes
Okay–I see that look on your face, and I know what you're thinking.
Where am I going to get enough fiber if I'm not eating fresh vegetables?
The answer is simple. Frankly, it's so simple that I'm offended you even asked. I'm a busy public health expert, and you're wasting my time with questions like these. The answer is beans. Despite what the childhood rhymes might suggest, they are not a fruit, and thus perfectly safe to eat right now.
Don't skimp on the spices, either.
This might all sound pretty bland, but these are difficult times we're living in. Hopefully, it'll all blow over soon and we can go right back to eating shredded iceberg lettuce straight from the bag. Until then, though, we don't have to miss out on flavor. Spices are a great way to make food taste better–even the simplest meat sauce can become a culinary delight through the addition of dry seasonings like allspice, cloves, cinnamon and chili powder.
Heck, you know what? Let's just put these things all together in one meal.
The only thing explosive here is the taste.
(Honestly, if you made it this far without realizing where I was going, that's on you. You know who I am by now.)
Friends, it's Friday once again at The Action Cookbook Newsletter.
We're living in strange times, but the one thing you can always count on is the ACBN showing up Friday morning with all the good stuff you need for the weekend ahead. Below the paywall break today, I've got some non-joke food and drink uses for that suddenly-troublesome summer produce, some nostalgic indie rock, Guys Bein' Dudes in book form, BUNNY UPDATES, lots of pets, and more!
Forget the lettuce. We've only seen the tip of the iceberg.
