Curbing hunger — and excess

I am glad for the work of Danielle Nierenberg and Amanda Strickler and their Nourishing the Planet project ("Shortening the food chain," Aug. 23). However, there was no mention in their recent opinion piece of the fact that there is already 3,600 calories per person per day available in the U.S., twice what is needed.

Good food does not satisfy, although it fills you up. I recommend two cups of water four times a day which amounts to zero calories. Then have one pound of true vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce or celery. I weigh these last two on a scale and throw them through the blender. Then have a pound of low calorie fruit (tomatoes, okra, eggplant, peppers, cucumber) and two cups of yogurt for calcium as well as 50 grams of protein such as a can of tuna.

The problem comes when we don't limit carbs or protein. We are capable of overeating fourfold. We should stick to 1,800 calories a day and forget the burger, regular soda and fries that are killing so many.

Theodore Carl Houk, Lutherville