I’ve seen people get into heated debates over a wide range of topics, running the gamut from the rules for hopscotch to whether we should abandon the electoral college concept.
Let me clarify right up front. The thing about hopscotch came from one of those alcohol/poolroom related incidents. As far as I know, they didn’t debate whether the electoral college had a football team.
Today in my emails, the subject line on one entry stated, “Why your salad has bad side effects.” Another said, “8 healthy foods that are deadly.”
Wow! Anyone who is not internet savvy might curl up in the fetal position on those positions and just assume that seeking world peace is now a moot point.
And speaking of world peace, apparently all of those beauty pageant contestants embraced other pursuits once the spotlights dimmed.
These emails opened with scary statements and then were followed by blogs which included  some pretty nasty name calling, interspersed occasionally with what might have passed for actual dietary knowledge. I guess you could call these debates.
The very first commentary debunked the baked potato as a healthy vegetable. The alleged expert cited the heavy starch that immediately turns to sugar once eaten and capped that off with all the condiments that typically are put on this little delight such as bacon bits, cheese, sour cream, salt and butter. He made it sound like a loaded gun instead of a “loaded potato.”
With much intense retort — the kind one might expect in high church if it was suggested that communion be served in Dixie cups — a respondent noted that the potato is rich in potassium, fiber and vitamin C.
Of course a burlap bag is rich in fiber but it doesn’t go well with a T-bone steak.
I mean the language got really nasty in these forums ... lots of four letter words, though spelled correctly.
I don’t remember ever debating food values ... at least not to the extent that I would have drawn analogies to one’s mama.  I’ve always tried to apply moderation to this issue.
I know that lettuce has no real nutritional value outside of roughage, and I know that if I bathe it in blue cheese dressing then I should be listening for my left ventricle to start wheezing.
Then the alleged expert got on diet soda and its chemical construction. Then came rice, again noting how quickly it converts to sugar once eaten. He followed up with juice, saying unless its freshly squeezed, then it’s just sugar water.
Here’s what he said about energy bars: “Energy bars are the hugest scam ever. I really wish that I thought of them first. Here’s a recipe for making an energy bar : take a candy bar, flatten it, and then stick some granola on it. You can also add some protein powder to it if you want it to have some merit, but that’s optional.”
He made an exception for organic fiber bars. Well I tried one of those. It’s a stick. You can throw it, and it will be a boomerang that won’t come back.
One responder used less caustic language and offered an opinion that I tend to agree with.
 He said in many cases it’s about the lesser of two evils, noting that a baked potato is less harmful than French fries. He also explained that volume and physical activity play into these issues.
Along those lines, I typically note that a slice of apple pie is nutritionally good for me. Instead of having two slices, I just have one. That way I’ve cut my calorie intake in half. And I see that as progress.

You can contact Walden at 985-4545, email: dwain.walden@gaflnews.com