What are you eating?

Alexandria Negron

Professor Ramos

3:00pm English 101

Who cares what you eat?

Many people don’t have to think twice when given a choice between bacon or salad. Food is one subject that everyone shares a part in. Whether you were raised on chicken and rice, salmon and soup, or fast food, we all eat. But what about when it comes to responsibility over the food that you eat, and how much of it you decide to eat? Should you be responsible for what you put in your body, should food industries, or should your healthcare? Your eating habits not only contribute to your own health, but also affects a larger system including marketing for food, new products, and the types of illnesses healthcare focuses on. Everyone plays a small role in how many hotdog stands are around the corner, what new kind of fried ice cream flavor comes out, and the price of medication.

One way to look after what you are eating is dieting. Picking and choosing something that seems healthier for you instead of something that might taste better, but is also unhealthy. In the community of dieters there is one man who has become famous for his distrust of processed food and focus on more natural alternatives, Michael Pollan. Who has several theories when it comes to what you eat. One stating that the “western diet” is to blame for “western diseases” because all of the unnatural factors that goes into preparing and packaging this type of food. His main evidence for this is that you do not see the numbers of certain diseases you see in the west (mainly America), that you would see in other parts of the world. And while some people try to think of ways to adjust this “western diet” to be healthier, Pollan suggests something more unique. Stop eating a western diet. His substitute for this problem includes taking more time are care into what you eat, preparing your own meals, and keeping the food as natural as possible. In other words, if it takes longer than a month to expire, you might not want to eat it. While ideally taking the time to prepare and enjoy your food might be the best way to stay healthy, not only from the food you are eating but from what it suggests about communion between friends and family. But this is also a highly impractical method for those who cannot afford organic, and who are too busy to prepare and plan meals.

Radley Balko’s essay “What You Eat Is Your Business” brings in another idea for what it means to be responsible for what you eat- healthcare. “We are becoming less responsible for our own health, and more responsible for everyone else’s” (Balko 467) What incentive do you have to stop eating the food that gives you health problems, if the cure is covered in healthcare- of no cost to yourself? He then proposed that healthcare companies should be freed” to penalize those who make poor health choices and reward those who make better choices.” Part of our problem as a society is our stubbornness and greed, we want that chocolate bar and we want in now. If the prices were to increase on unhealthier food and drop for more healthy alternatives; your choice most likely will stay the same, unless your income physically stops you. His view is that a system that has your individual goals and needs is required to motivate yourself to change the habits you might have. However even while this system may benefit, there are also some hurdles to overcome.

While penalizing those who need medication for dietary reasons, there are many pitfalls that might be missed. There are several diseases both genetic and otherwise that could lead to someone being penalized for something they had no choice in. For example, “Adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) are known to have difficulty accessing high-quality primary and secondary care, making them more vulnerable to undetected and inadequately managed health conditions than their non-disabled peers.” (Perez 639) A system that is capable of misinformation as such has the potential to devastate someone entire life by being able to penalize for medication and treatments associated with poor dieting and exercise. Perez also states that many of those with these IDs need special mealtime support, and with Bradley’s ideas of healthcare this could be fatal for those who need this kind of special support and treatment.

One good way to solve a problem is to take a wider view on the topic. Instead of just focusing on where you live or your state, take a look into how other countries are combating this issue we all face. Marije Oostindjer, conducted an experiment in Norway that seems to help and benefit everyone. Her focus was not just on individuals or healthcare, but food companies as well. Providing healthier alternatives, more health education, and clearer nutritional information had a significant effect on not only the customers but also the other stakeholders. Especially when you focus that attention and education to children and families. Understandably not everyone has this type of environment, but helping yourself doesn’t have to be much harder. Having some sort of support in either a friend or role model can help you significantly to not only change your habits to be healthier, but also help your individual contribution to your neighborhood or town.

Either looking forward, or back, one key thing should be recognized. That as children we are most susceptible to the habits that we keep as adults, and then pass onto the newer generation. No matter the class you are in financially, Jan Wright conducted an experiment that went across all financial states; the effects and solutions for obese children. “Their children were expected to eat what was prepared for them, but the mothers also talked about involving their children in food preparation and decision-making. Some cooked very traditional meals, but others followed Jamie Oliver and Master Chef recipes” (Wright 433) Not everyone had the same childhood or upbringing, some people practically raised themselves, or grew up in the system; but each class has certain struggles when it comes to what choices they should make. As Wright states,” On the other hand, they had relatively few choices in relation to food; different options at mealtime were a luxury they could not afford.” In some cases, you just have to eat what is available to you. But that doesn’t mean you will never get the change to affect the society that is around you. Every single one of us makes choices daily about what kind of food we buy, grow, or make, and that helps shape what corporate food industries, government, and our society focuses on when trying to promote the food we eat.

Whether we blame our economic status, the government, or the food companies around us; we are the ones that drives each and every one. You might not be able to afford to prepare grand meals for yourself or your family, but I bet you can switch a French fry for a salad, or start your own garden using plastic cups. The government healthcare might ream you or provide for you, but without the people to support it, it has nothing. Without customers, food companies have no reason to continue producing their goods. In the end your responsible not only for yourself, but for what you want to be continued with friends, family and in society. Everyone must eat, but what you put into your body is your choice, so do it a favor, and try to open your eyes to the eating habits you have gained, and take responsibility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

1. Balko, Radley. “What You Eat Is Your Business”. They Say I Say 3rd edition. W.W. Norton and Company, 2014. Pg. 466
2. Perez, C. M., et al. “The Incidence of Healthcare Use, Ill Health and Mortality in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Mealtime Support Needs.” Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, vol. 59, no. 7, July 2015, Pg. 638-652. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1111/jir.12167.
3. Pollan, Michael. “Escape From the Western Diet”. They Say I Say 3rd edition. W.W. Norton and Company, 2014. Pg. 420
4. Oostindjer, Marije, et al. “Getting Norway to Eat Healthier: What Are the Opportunities?.” Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, vol. 43, no. 1, Feb. 2015, pp. 66-75. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1177/1403494814557347.
5. Wright, Jan, et al. “Social Class, Anxieties and Mothers’ Foodwork.” Sociology of Health & Illness, vol. 37, no. 3, Mar. 2015, Pg. 422-436. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1111/1467-9566.12202.