| I think it would be safe to assume that most people | | | | basic nutrition, food processing, food marketing, food |
| understand the importance of exercise and eating | | | | manufacturing, and the worst of all, government |
| some sort of healthy diet to maintain their overall | | | | regulation of food. This is an impossible task for most, |
| health. I highly doubt anyone would argue that eating | | | | leaving you at the mercy of those who control each |
| fast food, junk food, and sitting on the couch is actually | | | | of these industries. |
| the best way to stay healthy. If this is truly the case, | | | | So where do you turn to for advice about what to |
| then why is it so difficult for people to get in shape and | | | | eat? Certainly not the food industry, as their main goal |
| stay in shape? What is so strong to pull the majority of | | | | is profit, not your health. The government? Nope, their |
| the population the wrong way? And why isn't it the | | | | hopelessly being lobbied and persuaded by industry to |
| other way around? | | | | keep the profit mill churning along. At best you will get |
| Imagine if everyone had a natural tendency to | | | | a cryptic message that never takes a stand one way |
| exercise and eat healthy foods, and the less they paid | | | | or the other and ends up leaving the decision making |
| attention to exercise and diet the more they exercised, | | | | and responsibility for your health squarely on your |
| and the healthier their diets got? I see no reason why | | | | shoulders. All the while allowing the food industry to |
| this couldn't be the case if our society were structured | | | | poke at you, and tease you and persuade you as |
| differently. What if you were given tax breaks for | | | | much as possible to eat more of their greatest new |
| keeping your blood cholesterol in a healthy range. | | | | products. |
| What if you were given some sort of bonus for eating | | | | How about the academic community, surely they must |
| all your fruits and vegetables in a given week. And | | | | have some answers with their high priced educations. |
| what if there was some sort of health savings plan | | | | Dieticians and nutritionists must have the answers then. |
| that rewarded you for every 30 minutes of exercise | | | | Well these people will understand some of the basics |
| you did. This could get the whole population healthy in a | | | | about nutrition but the marketing, health claims, |
| hurry. It would seem that the only real way to get | | | | manufacturing and processing of most foods are not |
| people to take action always come down to the | | | | taught to nutrition students. They would need to do just |
| bottom line, money. | | | | as much fact finding as you would to get to the real |
| This obviously isn't the case so we need to deal with | | | | answer about what gets a product on the shelf and |
| the society we are currently living in. And make no | | | | what has happened to it along the way before it ends |
| mistake; this society is not designed to help you out at | | | | up on your plate. So the picture just keeps getting |
| all when it comes to getting in shape and staying in | | | | foggier. There are a couple simple rules to follow that I |
| shape. Food marketing, food laws, a lack of financial | | | | believe will keep your diet looking healthy without |
| interest in exercising, and the quickening pace of | | | | having to become an expert in food and nutrition. |
| society make personal health and staying in shape one | | | | Rule number one. Eat more fruits and vegetables. It |
| of the biggest challenges in anyone's life. It really | | | | doesn't matter how many you already eat, there is no |
| seems like all the cards are stacked against you. Think | | | | possible way this recommendation could ever bring |
| of how often you are tempted to indulge in unhealthy | | | | you more harm than it can good. If at all possible try to |
| foods in a day, and how little you are tempted to eat | | | | purchase locally grown fresh fruits and veggies that |
| right and workout. | | | | have spent the least amount of time being shipped |
| The amount of marketing and misinformation that we | | | | from some remote corner of the globe. Also, try to |
| are exposed to in a day make it next to impossible for | | | | eat organic and pesticide free products when they are |
| most people to really understand what to eat. Even | | | | available. Every little bit counts. |
| people trained in nutrition still need to learn more than a | | | | Rule number two. Buy most foods on the outside wall |
| university degree has to offer before they can start | | | | of your grocery store. What I am getting at here is to |
| making truly informed choices about what to eat. | | | | buy as much fresh food as possible. In the grocery |
| For starters most people in North America are faced | | | | store most foods in the middle aisles packaged in |
| with hundreds of food marketing messages every | | | | boxes, cans, containers or bags have tones of |
| day. We are also faced with an unlimited number of | | | | preservatives and additives in them to keep them |
| food choices, most of which are not what I would | | | | from going bad on the shelf. If you only go around the |
| consider healthy. The situation doesn't get any better | | | | outside aisle of your typical grocery store you should |
| when you look to the government for help. Most | | | | find the produce section, deli, bakery, butcher, dairy |
| government regulated health claims, and labeling claims | | | | section, fish counter, and fresh prepared foods |
| are heavily lobbied for, and do more to confuse the | | | | counter. If you spend the majority of your time |
| end consumer than educate them. | | | | shopping on the perimeter of the store, you will mostly |
| So as far as food goes, you're basically left on your | | | | likely be buying more fresh foods than if you are |
| own to figure out what you should and shouldn't eat. | | | | roaming the middle aisles. These are two simple ways |
| To make a truly informed decision about food you | | | | to be sure most of your food is healthier without |
| would need to be educated in all of the following fields, | | | | having to become a food expert. |