Trying to take off these ‘nutrition goggles’ I constantly wear is a real mission, especially, when it is time for the communal movie, followed by dinner at my flat.
I live with three American students and I am amazed how much they blow their brain cells out with coffee, alcohol, fat, sugar, salt, cheese and butter.
The other day, I felt sick when I saw my flatmate, (let us call him Charlie) make himself the American version of a traditional Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich.
It made me gag!
But then, who wouldn’t, taking something simple like PB&J and dousing it with fried bacon, adding four blocks of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate and seven jumbo marshmallows and then deep fry it in hydrogenated vegetable oil!
The only thing healthy in that sandwich was the Pre-doused in icing sugar and mashed banana.
We had just finished watching Michel Moore’s ‘Bowling for Columbine.’
There was an animated discussion about gun control laws.
I freaked out for a moment over what Charlie had just consumed, and I reflected whether I should say anything to him about his eating habits.
He seemed content with his ‘morning snack’ and was arguing vociferously about banning guns. It was really hard to refrain from shouting, “Charlie, you don’t need a gun and the US doesn’t need gun control laws. You are eating yourself to smithereens.”
The best part was that he did know that he was doing it.
That was the ‘fantastically crazy’ part of it all.
Big businesses and the media have convinced Charlie and others like him that junk is hunk!
I realise that in today’s world, food advertising leaves people misguided.
No portion control
How many people know how to read a food label properly?
Do they even care about portion control?
Charlie did no such thing when it came to making himself this PB &J.
I think about our ancestors and the diet we once had, free from all the additives and food colouring and processed foods and deep frying vats!
I find it amusing how ‘organic’ choices are making a comeback, a bit like leggings in today’s fashion world.
It is also strange that food, three generations ago, was organic and since that time we have been lulled, dulled and gulled into imbibing cheap repugnant addictive provisions. Now, ordinary food of yore has become expensive and unaffordable.
Piped-Pipers of food industry persuaders have been leading the gullible towards the Mountain of Obesity.
The future
Dieticians would play a major role in helping people become aware of food styles (as opposed to lifestyles).
It would be vital for me to understand, review and evaluate the food choices of my clients. It would also be important for people to understand the reasoning behind their decisions for eating the quantity and type of food.
Hopefully, we can pipe another tune that is more honest, healthy and heavenly.
Christine Rocha is an accredited Practising Dietician based in Auckland. Read her on ‘’Right diet ensures good sleep’ in this Special Report.
The true spirit of Diwali
Diwali may be the season to give and share. But is also the season during which much food is wasted, either because we cook and buy food items that are far beyond our ability to consume or because we are loaded with sweets as gifts. Neither overeating nor wasting food does anyone any good. Overeating leads to obesity and poor health – it is almost criminal to waste food in a world where millions of people are undernourished and live in hunger and poverty.
In this context the article by Christine Rocha is a timely reminder of the need to consume less and donate more, in the true spirit of Diwali.
