Thanks for the love and emails on yesterday’s Snack Post. I’ll remember to throw fun posts like that in there between pregnancy updates and recipes- haha 🙂
I thought it would be a good day for a fun fact Friday, after I learned a crazy fact yesterday from a RD friend of mine. Prepare to be surprised…
1. The molecular structure of a trans fatty acid is only 1 molecule away from being identical to PLASTIC.
Now, I am taking her word for it as a fact, but it seems like a trustworthy source, and if keeps one more person to look twice at a label, then I’ll spread the news! As if anyone needed another reason to stay away from those partially hydrogenated oils.
2. Ice cream is a Chinese food!
When the famous explorer Marco Polo returned to his homeland of Italy, from China in 1295, he brought back a recipe (among other things). The recipe, was a Chinese recipe for a desert called “Milk Ice.” However, Europeans substituted cream for the milk, and voila…”Ice Cream.” Ice cream has been a hit ever since!
3. Fizzy drinks can lower your immunity.
The tartrazine found in fizzy drinks causes depletion of the body’s zinc levels. Zinc plays a vital role in supporting our immune systems – 15mg a day is the recommended daily amount.
4. You’re more likely to be hungry if you’re cold.
I don’t think this actually surprised me very much. Does anyone else notice that in the heat of summer, you sometimes have to remind yourself it’s lunch time? (Me neither, but I do notice a decrease in appetite ;)) Well, food gives you calories and calories keep you warm. In fact, your body even processes food more quickly when you’re cold. Food going through you more quickly, means hunger returns more quickly. Darn those cold offices!
5. It has been traditional to serve fish with a slice of lemon since the Middle Ages, when people believed that the fruit’s juice would dissolve any bones accidentally swallowed.
Now I think we do it just because it tastes delicious… but good to know incase I swallow some bones!
*BONUS*
*UNREALTED TO FOOD*
In the courts of the Roman Empire, instead of swearing an oath on a bible, men swore to the truth on their statements while holding their genitals. Hence the word ‘testify’, from ‘testicles’.
Heard any fun facts lately?
Brooke @ Veggie Table says
I don’t have any fun food facts but I love yours! Cold offices…very interesting. I’m definitely requesting a space heater next week! Happy Friday!
Autumn @ Good Eats Girl says
Now that you mention it….I am hungry less when it is summer time! Interesting! And the fact about trans fatty acids=gross!!
Donna says
Ohhh i love fun facts!
I lol about the testify one 🙂
Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans says
I am trying to reduce my intake of soda and this is another good reason to do it!!
Kelli H says
HA! Love the testify one! I’ll have to share that one…I love when you have these random tid bits.
Maria @ Oh Healthy Day says
I love that there’s a photo of Michael Scott in this post! I too find that I eat less in the summer. I crave different foods in the summer and its typically foods that are lighter than winter foods, such as, watermelon, crisp salads, turkey sandwiches, etc.
Jess @atasteofconfidence says
haha that is a great and silly fact:)
Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good says
Bahahahaha!! I will never think of testifying quite the same again.
The plastic fact is disturbing. I believe I read that some foods contain butane or something very close to it. So disturbing.
Melissa says
Partially hydrogenated equates to plastic! Wow, shocking and interesting stuff!!
Caitlyn (The Spoonful of Life) says
The fact about trans fats is scary and slightly disgusting! I wish everyone knew that!
I’m going to go tell my parents where “testifying” came from! That’s hilarious!!
Roz says
SOOO fun!! And interesting. I love fun facts!!!! Have a great day, regards to Baby D too.
Caree@Fit-Mama says
I will have to show this to the hubby as he is addicted to diet coke!! I have already shown him all the negatives (but had no idea about the immunity thing)!
Sara @ Nourish and Flourish says
Such a fun post!! I would have never guessed that the Chinese created the first form of ice cream, or that carbonated beverages deplete zinc (bummer! Do you know if that holds true for fizzy waters?). The trans fats fact is frightening. I had a dollop of Cool Whip tonight and am regretting it now. Yuck! :-p