Weighing in on ‘Nonundelows’

Bravo! Loved your article (“No--Less Is Less,” May 10). [Emily Green] made a very important point about the mass creation of these fake, unappealing and unsatisfying foods with great humor.

CHARLES HUNT

Via e-mail

Your readers include thousands of persons who deal with limited food choices every day in order to manage chronic conditions or disease. Heart disorders are certainly among the most dangerous and prevalent examples.

No, they are not as satisfying as real mayonnaise, real whole eggs. They are not the food any layperson would choose, and especially not a conspicuous food snob like Ms. Green.

But they add some variety to a restricted diet. They can be the critical factor in enabling a person to stick with his diet guidelines and not falter or binge. I expect to enjoy a longer life because of them, and I am grateful that quality and availability have improved in recent years.

LELAND BARD

Los Angeles

I have never been a person who is a fanatic about NONdairy, UNsweetened, DEcaffeinated or LOWfat foods. I have always tried to eat sensibly.

In December, my husband was diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is controlled with oral medication, insulin injections, diet and exercise. We bought a life cycle, changed our eating habits and have lost over 20 pounds each by eating fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, lean meat and what you term “nonundelows.” They provide him with foods he can continue to enjoy--ice cream, cookies, muffins, cheese, chocolate, sugar.

His life is not spent without. It is spent with.

LYNDA DODGE

Via e-mail

Thank you for your excellent column today--it was absolutely correct. Americans are ignorant fools when it comes to food. Thank goodness I’m married to a French woman who detests the “nonundelows,” loves and eats good cheese and foie gras and weighs 123 pounds, the same as the day I married her.

EDWARD LIPNICK

Malibu