tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post5604404460425713721..comments2024-03-15T05:45:01.402-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Would vegetarian prison meals reduce violence?Gritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-61462766577241144482015-07-12T22:14:21.754-05:002015-07-12T22:14:21.754-05:00To save money, many private and State run prisons ...To save money, many private and State run prisons use soy to stretch their dollars. While this may seem harmless, it isn't. This is not the same soy food eaten in Asia. It is a toxic form of soy that does permanent health damage. Those who are released after years of incarceration on this diet are, basically, permanently disabled. Recidivism becomes higher.<br /><br />Washington, DC, June 26, 2012 — Plaintiffs in the lawsuit Harris et al. v. Brown, et al., Case No. 3:07-cv-03225 have submitted testimony of four qualified experts confirming the claim that large amounts of soy in the prison diet can cause serious health problems. In 2004, the state of Illinois began using large amounts of soy in prison menus to save money and use less meat.<br /><br />Sponsored by the Weston A. Price Foundation, a nutrition education non-profit foundation, the lawsuit claims that the soy being fed to the plaintiffs, in the amounts being fed to them, constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the eighth amendment to the Constitution, as well as a denial of plaintiffs’ liberty in violation of their due process rights under the fourteenth amendment to the Constitution.<br /><br />Plaintiff health complaints include chronic and painful constipation alternating with debilitating diarrhea, vomiting after eating, sharp pains in the digestive tract, especially after consuming soy, passing out, heart palpitations, rashes, acne, insomnia, panic attacks, depression and symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as low body temperature (feeling cold all the time), brain fog, fatigue, weight gain, frequent infections and thyroid disease<br /><br />Public Health Expert Sylvia P. Onusic, PhD, submitted an analysis of prison menus showing that soy protein in prison meals approaches 100 grams per day, four times greater than the amount recommended by the Food and Drug Administration. Soy protein is added in large amounts to meat patties, meat mixes and sauces, and in smaller amounts to almost all baked goods. The soy in the prison food is a deliberate artificial manipulation using processed soy products, manufactured using highly technical process and toxic chemicals<br /><br />Toxicologist Mike Fitzpatrick, PhD, provided evidence that even 50 grams of soy can cause thyroid problems, including thyroid cancer. Soy contains compounds called phytoestrogens, which depress thyroid function and cause endocrine disruption.<br /><br /><br />https://asolitarytorture.wordpress.com/prison-diet-danger-soy/https://asolitarytorture.wordpress.com/prison-diet-danger-soy/<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-38060730949624180332015-02-17T09:01:56.391-06:002015-02-17T09:01:56.391-06:00Hitler was not a vegetarian. That is a commonly he...Hitler was not a vegetarian. That is a commonly held misconception.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-45483515822750229162011-08-21T20:27:52.977-05:002011-08-21T20:27:52.977-05:00To many eggs? yes it can raise cholesterol if you ...To many eggs? yes it can raise cholesterol if you have that genetic marker but it's a good source of protein. I'd rather see them serve eggs than pork, pork, pork for protein. On the units I've been on the eggs are mostly boiled or scrambled every once in a while fried. Fried eggs take a lot more time and effort to cook and keep warm without making the rubbery. Sack lunches almost always have at least one boiled egg in it. I had mentioned they must have a surplus of eggs as of late because we've been having a lot of them. We see whole wheat bread along with white but it really depends on what is available, in the odr we have to ask for whole wheat if they have it. They make lots of cornbread.<br /><br />I agree more fresh veggies would be better and if grown by their own unit it would give the inmates who work outside more pride in their work and desire to eat veggies they may have never eaten before without all the salt and butter too. You can actually taste what something taste like w/o added salt.<br /><br />I agree they will riot over food! Have rioted over food! Sued over Blue Bell! There is usually at least one fight on chicken day! They don't get chicken legs and thighs that often maybe twice per month. Ground meat is used in casseroles mostly, meatloaf on occasion. They have pork roll, pork chops (low quality) but meat just the same, ground pork, pork sausage, pork ribs, lots of pork. LOL that could be made into a joke.<br /><br />Yes, food plays a big part in morale even with the food from the prison store, there are many inmates who don't recieve money from loved ones or if they do they choose to spend it on other things than food stuff.<br />Everyone has made some very good points on this string and it has been interesting.Nurseypoohnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-27310767646485317652011-08-21T19:57:00.421-05:002011-08-21T19:57:00.421-05:00Stalin was the worst genocidal maniac in history. ...Stalin was the worst genocidal maniac in history. Must be the vodka.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-84542860176913219242011-08-21T15:15:06.053-05:002011-08-21T15:15:06.053-05:00I found this to be a very interesting piece to rea...I found this to be a very interesting piece to read. Although it seems a correlation between diet and inmate violence cannot be completely proven yet, I personally think diet and nutrient intake definitely play roles in behavior and mood. Inmates who are fed meat may be under the mindset that they have more energy and proteins and are thus more capable of fighting if the situation were to arise. The mere image of meat may also contribute to a more outspoken and violence perspective as compared to vegetables, which are generally less dominant and more peaceful. From my perspective, feeding inmates more vegetables and less meat only bears positive consequences. Hopefully, the change in diet will lower violence rates in prisons, and preparing meals with more vegetables is more cost effective for prisons as well. However, I do believe it will be hard to switch from meals that contain meat to meals with little or no meat at all in prisons where inmates are accustomed to eating meat frequently. Inmates may feel they are being cheated of their rights or that the prison is not adequately feeding them, and this may prompt them to rebel violently, the opposite of the objective. In cases like these, perhaps gradually lowering the amount of meat offered at each meal while increasing varieties of other food items is a considerable option.econhnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-41587380862910154492011-08-21T09:20:14.562-05:002011-08-21T09:20:14.562-05:00I should correct one part of my comment. We do get...I should correct one part of my comment. We do get actual chicken legs, thighs in our chow halls. Sometimes its fried, sometimes it's baked. I do like eating it, as it tastes pretty good most of the time. I'm sorry for my mistake on that part. <br /><br />Marty Ley<br />region 3Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-54356087151799985812011-08-21T09:08:20.466-05:002011-08-21T09:08:20.466-05:00This is an interesting string about the nutrition ...This is an interesting string about the nutrition in prisons. I've been eating prison food for a long time, since 1982 when I started working for them.<br /><br />When I first started the food was much better. Fresh meats, actual chicken legs, thighs, and breasts on fried chicken day, and actual pork chops. Plus, there was more fresh vegetables. Then came vita pro, and good meat disappeared. Now, the meat consists of ground meat, or pork rolls, or hot dogs, and sometimes corn dogs. Every now and then I'll see pork chops, but not often. <br /><br />Now day's the units who can have vegetable gardens, do and grow some pretty good vegetables. And, that helps a lot. I see fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, watermelons, and other melons, in the chow halls. And, our units with large gardens try to share their excess fresh produce with other units who do not, or cannot, have a vegetable garden. When the fresh stuff is not available I see the canned vegetables and beans that others have spoken of above.<br /><br />My impression of prison food, after having eaten at every unit in my region, is that a lot of the quality of the food depends on the kitchen staff in charge of the food service department. With good staff, who know what they are doing, the food preparation seems to be much better. <br /><br />One thing I would note, it's my understanding that our agriculture department sells most of what they produce, and TDCJ purchases their food at reduced cost else where. I don't work in food service, or know much about that part of it. But, that's what I understand. I think our food in prison would be much better if TDCJ would supply the units with meat, poultry, vegetables....etc that they grow, prior to selling it on the free market. <br /><br />In closing, I would say that while prison food is not going to be gourmet, it is nutritious, and when prepared properly, tastes pretty good. I would also say that a unit with food prepared properly, has a better behaved inmate population. By that I mean, decent food will prevent a lot of problems. Poor food can escalate into offenders with grievances about their food, and if not handled, can cause disturbances over the food. So, good food is essential in a prison environment. While some staff refuse to eat prison food for various reasons, I like eating it, and it's been keeping me healthy for 29yrs. <br /><br />Thanks for listening,<br /><br />Marty Ley<br />Region 3Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-56863669615789815282011-08-21T00:23:28.511-05:002011-08-21T00:23:28.511-05:00Too many eggs will raise cholesterol levels though...Too many eggs will raise cholesterol levels though, yes? And according to hubby, the eggs are mostly fried. Boiled eggs would be better.<br /><br />Hubby has never had pasta in his 7 years in TDCJ. The bread is always white, never wholegrain.sunray's wenchhttp://lookingforthecabinbythelake.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-44718221212334717792011-08-20T20:38:05.011-05:002011-08-20T20:38:05.011-05:00Sadly Sandy most of the prison population in Texas...Sadly Sandy most of the prison population in Texas does not feel the way you do.Nurseypoohnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-581455991590225332011-08-20T19:37:22.489-05:002011-08-20T19:37:22.489-05:00I don't want what I can't have. Instead, ...I don't want what I can't have. Instead, I value what I DO have.Sandynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-72826547734916386772011-08-20T19:16:59.629-05:002011-08-20T19:16:59.629-05:00Sandy I'm well aware of the points you brought...Sandy I'm well aware of the points you brought out. I was ask to give a list of the things I know of prison food 1st hand.<br /><br />My comments were made using what I know is served, available and the limits of the budgets, selections and preferences.<br /><br />The "fast junk food" I mentioned isn't really good for anyone but it helps keep the inmates from totally going without some of the comfort foods most are used too.<br /><br />We can't force anyone to eat healthy in prison or freeworld, even if your locked up and offered a very limited menu, they can still add the salt, not eat their veggies and buy whatever they want out of the commisary if they have the money.<br /><br />If you totally restrict someones choices to eat things they are accustomed to, it usually works in reverse to teach them to eat healthier, we all want what we can't have!Nurseypoohnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-21709395691686620112011-08-20T10:16:54.590-05:002011-08-20T10:16:54.590-05:00Nurseypooh, thanks for the effort but some of your...Nurseypooh, thanks for the effort but some of your positives are just not positive for nutrition. All of your #4 should go to the negative category.<br /><br />#5 is a problem, too. Two meals may be more convenient from a supervisory position but the human body needs to refuel about every 4 waking hours. Fewer smaller meals are by far healthier than a couple of big ones. The fewer and the bigger the meals are the more likely they will promote obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, indigestion, and acid reflux issues. Depression, too. That's just the top-of-my-head list of human ailments triggered by malnutrition. The complete list is shocking.<br /><br />I've studied nutrition since the 70s - in college, culinary school, and on the job as a chef who specializes in healthy foods. There's huge public misconception as to what healthy foods really are, thanks in large part to brainwashing from advertisers hired by the industrial factory food complex.<br /><br />Too many sick Americans think nutrition can be negotiated. It cannot. It's based in science and science doesn't care how convincing or well-funded the argument.Sandynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-55248312679661668562011-08-19T17:49:59.935-05:002011-08-19T17:49:59.935-05:00Grits I'd be glad too.
CHOW HALL POSITIVES
1.T...Grits I'd be glad too.<br />CHOW HALL POSITIVES<br />1.They offer a variety of generic cold cereals, bran flakes, cheerios, raisin bran, frosted flakes and corn flakes. Good fiber on the bran and cheerios.<br /><br />2.Right now there seems to be an oversurplus in eggs, so this last month or so it's a lot of eggs, egg salad etc. good source of protein.<br /><br />3.They usually offer one hot cereal, grits or oatmeal. Oatmeal is great for lowering cholesterol I eat them dry at work.<br /><br />4.They offer pre-made frozen boxed, corn dogs, chicken patties, square fish, hamburger patties about once a week to break up the monotomy a bit from the usual fare.<br /><br />5.The units that are serving brunch and supper, the portions are very large at both meals and amt. to the same amt. of calories as 3 meals per day.<br /><br />6.Depending on the talent of the cook on duty some of them can make things very tasty but that one cook can't work 24 hours per day.<br /><br />CHOW HALL NEGATIVES<br /><br />1.To much butter. (They get it free along with cheese and peanut butter from FDA commodity.)<br /><br />2.To many starchy foods.<br /><br />3.To much sodium by adding salt and using mostly canned veggies, pork, pork roll steak.<br /><br />4.To many pancakes.<br /><br />5.No fresh fruits or veggies. (except every once in a while if one farm has a bumper crop of something right now it's cantaloupes.) They don't serve them very often though, you have to have enough to fee ALL the inmates or have a riot.<br /><br />CHOW HALL MENU IMPROVMENTS:<br /><br />1.Stop using butter so much, they put it in canned veggies to make it more tasty but it is overused.<br /><br />2.Cut down on starches and replace them with more green veggies or fruits.<br /><br />3.Sodium-Cut the salt in half added during cooking, if the offenders need more salt let the add it to their tray. Stop serving so much pork and eliminate the pork roll steak (Yuck) it's like spam. Serve more fish and chicken. TDCJ could grow their own fish but canned would be better than none and at least once per week tuna or salmon.<br /><br />4.Serve more of a hot cereal variety, breakfast casseroles to include eggs, cheese, onions, and potatoes. Add yogurt to combat some of the stomach and yeast ailments (female unit's mostly) but still good bacteria for anyone and a dairy product.<br /><br />5.Buy in season fresh fruits in bulk (not as costly) same with frozen veggies in bulk because I know they are more expensive and the reason we don't have them. Allow in the budget for more staff to maintain a larger unit garden and greenhouse so inmates can grow their own veggies and fruit. <br /><br />Powdered Milk-I'm not opposed to powdered milk I've used it in cereal at our unit before. I've used it with my family also and keep some on hand at home if needed. Grown adults don't really need milk anyway as long as they get other dairy products in their diet. <br /><br />I realize some of these changes are unrealistic due to the cost. I haven't seen a commisary list in a while so I will have to get back to you on that one.Nurseypoohnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-5093925838407698352011-08-19T12:51:00.753-05:002011-08-19T12:51:00.753-05:00Soronel, if they're spending 54 cents per meal...Soronel, if they're spending 54 cents per meal do you really think TDCJ is going to spring for opiates? :)<br /><br />Grits you forget the opium poppy grow in the US. The prisons could just add it to the crop list. Lets see we provide this batch to the prisoners and smuggle one out with the guards.....<br /><br />Just kidding<br /><br />Ham2mtrAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-12932684196998074862011-08-19T06:39:46.986-05:002011-08-19T06:39:46.986-05:00Nurseypooh, thanks so much for your contribution o...Nurseypooh, thanks so much for your contribution on this string. Well done. Can you tell us a little more about your impressions of nutritional shortcomings both at the cafeteria and commissary? If you could revamp both to maximize health and nutritional value, what would you change?<br /><br />Same question to you, Prison Doc, and ftm anybody else with firsthand knowledge.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-21781874452283202462011-08-18T20:17:01.741-05:002011-08-18T20:17:01.741-05:00Although I don't have a strong opinion on vege...Although I don't have a strong opinion on vegetarianism with respect to prison diets, I still feel that adding vitamins and providing good nutrition is promising. Going for the low hanging fruit is almost literally true in this instance.Chris Halkideshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14933976220776524122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-5428386140105863412011-08-18T13:45:10.654-05:002011-08-18T13:45:10.654-05:00Dewey, no vita-pro is not coming back and I'm ...Dewey, no vita-pro is not coming back and I'm certainly no mad about the blue bell. I enjoy it also.<br /><br />S.W.-you are right, I mentioned it because someone made a reference to the inmates being educated so they can implement it into their families lives when they go home. Sometimes I feel like I'm spinning my wheels when I do pt. teaching with someone who has high blood pressure because of all the sodium in the chow hall food, but the best advice I can give them is to not use the seasoning pack in the soups or just use half of it, or buy spices like onion and garlic powder to try at least try to cut down on some of their sodium intake. I'd rather they not eat the soups at all but I know it's a big staple item and a lot of them don't have a lot of money or choices and I always add if they're going home within the next year or so, "when you go home" do this or this.<br />Because we have a very high minority population in prison we have more with chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes etc. I give the advice anyway just trying to save their kidneys possibly, the Dr. don't have time to educate them very much so nurses do as much as we can if they will listen or interested.<br />I always tell them to eat the beans and greens for the fiber to promote regularity and the beans are not canned, they're dried which are soaked and cooked, still have a lot of salt and if the cook has things to season with the greens and beans are usually good.<br /><br />I eat the same food the inmates get 2-3 times per week.<br /><br />One reason they don't raise as much of their food anymore is because it takes security officers to watch the offender's who work outside in the gardens. Short of staff, it takes a lot of money to maintain security of those who work in the fields. They also have temp. extreme rules now.Nurseypoohnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-52819730057788957812011-08-18T12:51:31.087-05:002011-08-18T12:51:31.087-05:00While it is true that TDCJ produces much of the me...While it is true that TDCJ produces much of the meat served, and do supply some vegetables from their fields, particularly in the south, much of the rest of the food comes from CHINA. Yes, I guess it is cheaper to buy low quality food and have it shipped across the world than to buy local. Millions of dollars are spent on Chinese packed food. What if that $$ were instead recycled through the Texas economy by buying Texas grown produce? Just a thought....Criminal Justice Reforms LLChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14103992096211980613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-12434626916582884112011-08-18T12:50:10.225-05:002011-08-18T12:50:10.225-05:00We are biologically Omnivors, our bodies are desin...We are biologically Omnivors, our bodies are desined to process both meat and Veggies. That said maybe india has it right, serve less meat and save a few dollars while providing for basic needs. <br /><br />Ham2mtrAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-88807982240446997992011-08-18T12:24:17.393-05:002011-08-18T12:24:17.393-05:00How many of you have actually incognito sat down t...How many of you have actually incognito sat down to a meal in a TDCJ unit? The commissary purchases are mainly to make their own food in "prison recipes" rather than eat the garbage that passes for meals in the chow hall.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-86637202707721177642011-08-18T11:17:24.907-05:002011-08-18T11:17:24.907-05:00Nurseypooh ~ can the inmates that are given the nu...Nurseypooh ~ can the inmates that are given the nutrition advice actually follow it though, given that they have limited choice at mealtimes (ie, eat what's offered, or not)? Or is this "nutritional advice" limited to "don't purchase these things at commissary"?<br /><br />Hubby would prefer to eat more fish, grains and vegetables along with real milk that hasn't had corn syrup added to the dried protien, but while he is in TDCJ he has to make do with the fish pouches from commissary and multi-vitamins/garlic capsules.<br /><br /><br />Scott ~ just the State Jails and intakes for now, but I'm sure it wont be long before the rest follow suit.sunray's wenchhttp://lookingforthecabinbythelake.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-25761958703371865812011-08-18T10:49:42.546-05:002011-08-18T10:49:42.546-05:00Another comment from a long time ago, in the 70&#...Another comment from a long time ago, in the 70's TDC grew their own food AND supplied the welfare system with vegetables. Packed in silver gallon buckets labeled as to what was contained, Packed by Inmates of the Texas Department of Corrections. At that time I believe Texas was sither the only or one of a few prison systems in the U.S. that turned a profit.The Homeless Cowboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004267716709384953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-16954741377699720142011-08-18T08:40:00.946-05:002011-08-18T08:40:00.946-05:00Are they trying to bring back Vita Pro???
@ Nu...Are they trying to bring back Vita Pro??? <br /> @ Nurseypoo: Having spent almost 5 tears in TDC (a looong time ago, during the summer, Blue Bell is not a luxury, but a necessity !!DEWEYnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-11939470213171028322011-08-18T07:22:33.284-05:002011-08-18T07:22:33.284-05:00Years ago TDCJ decided to stop making "Blue B...Years ago TDCJ decided to stop making "Blue Bell ice cream" available in the commisary and chose another brand. An inmate sued and won, they have had blue bell available for them to buy ever since.<br />I don't see this making a big impact, a more healthy approach would be to serve frozen or fresh in season veggies they grow themselves instead of the canned laden with salt they now serve. Stop serving so much pork, using so much butter, sodium and pancakes.<br />The inmates are provided nutritional education thru the medical dept. on diet and excercise to improve or maintain their health, usually to those already exp. high blood sugar etc. but it is available to anyone who request it.Nurseypoohnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-6997513672720278212011-08-18T04:46:38.490-05:002011-08-18T04:46:38.490-05:00True that, sw. Not a panacea. But perhaps not a ne...True that, sw. Not a panacea. But perhaps not a negligible factor, either.<br /><br />Hadn't heard about shifting to two meals per day, is that all units or just state jail and intake? If so, the $.54 is understated. At two meals per day they'd be spending $.81 per meal.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.com