What is it, exactly, that makes us eat the way that we do? Is it greed? Is it the lack of nutritious options? Or is it possible that we are gullible and far too easily influenced.
There was a time when, for example, coconut oil was regularly utilized for almost everything. It was the oil of choice for cooking, it was used as the go to skin care product and as well for hair health. Then came a “wonderful” -by its self-description- campaign that threw that practice in the garbage in favour of other oils, some manufactured, and others that were “scientifically” proven to be better for our health. One such oil (its name coming from the country where it was produced) comes from a plant that was created. It is now touted as the best oil for heart health. Do some research.
Then there are the campaigns, paid for by the food manufacturers, that tell us breakfast is the most important meal of the day and, like a doctor’s prescription, tells us what we should eat and when we should eat them.
In a study done probably 20 years ago, at a time when conventional wisdom had it that red wine was the best thing since sliced bread, and then it was found that a glass of beer was more beneficial than a glass of wine. However, as you drank more beer the benefits diminished. In an assessment done more recently, Healthline found much of the same. It highlighted that, consumed in moderation, beer offered “significant nutritional value” and was generally good for your health. Tell that to the people who do not drink. It also noted that while it is a widespread belief that red wine was good for the heart, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine found there was no link between resveratrol consumption and cardiovascular disease.
It is widely believed the rate of cancer deaths skyrocketed after the World War 2, coinciding with the introduction of the redesigning of the food industry especially in the United States.
The fact of the matter is plain and simple. We are being pushed and pulled and tugged in almost every direction except where we should be heading.
We are of the strong belief that what grows naturally in our environment is what is best for our health. Our “Grow what you eat” campaign has fallen flat. It should be revamped for a healthier nation and a healthier economy. While this sounds like an advertisement for the Ministry of Health it is what is most true.
We have also already recognized that the least expensive and most easily obtained foods are frequently the worst to consume.
So again, is it a lack of options. We say not. It is a choice or choices we have made in respect of how and what we eat.
Is it better to allow other countries to manufacture food for us to eat and tell us that it is good or are we willing to consume our non-GMO super foods grown on local soil.
The choice is yours. As the American celebrity chef Paul Prudhomme is quoted as saying, “You don’t need a silver fork to eat good food.”