Food for Thought

I was listening to all the hubbub about the new food pyramid. I am going ask you a question: Did you follow the old one? Basically, I thought the old one was based on a malnourished 18-year-old male; maybe that was a folk tale I chose to believe.

As I look at what is on store shelves in the United States and see words I cannot pronounce on the box or packaging labels. I cringe thinking about what I have put into my body through the years, the food I have eaten. I believed I was being protected by my government, only to find out that learning about nutrition after my illness, our safety was very low on their minds. For example, studies show that many additives are approved without thorough testing, raising questions about industry transparency and safety.

Then, as I got older, I realized that you and I are commodities. A way for companies to make money. Food companies add additives and preservatives to extend shelf life, flavoring to make it more appealing, and additives to make us crave it so we eat the whole box or bag instead of the serving size, which is 2 cookies or chips.

Then we package it so that it attracts our eye at the store. Then, food companies buy prime aisle sales space so it is eye level. Then the media bombards us with commercials, ads, and coupons. Meats and vegetables are sprayed or injected with something to extend their shelf life or make them look more appetizing. This is all in the name of making money and providing greater convenience for shoppers, often at the expense of our health.

As we put this food into our mouths, the body must run on it. Our body takes the brunt of this. We get fat and sick, and then doctors, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies start making their money. Then, after they get done poisoning us. Then the funeral homes get their chunk of us.

You might right about now ask the question, “How do you know this?” When I was sick, the doctor told me to eat a bland diet and take these medicines. All it did was make me sicker after they told me I was going to need a colostomy bag, and then they were scheduling the surgery, and I said no. They took the medicine away that was killing me, and proceeded to tell me they would wait for my body to fail, and then scheduled the surgery.

I decided, because I had nothing to lose anyway, to eat like a farmer: meat, potatoes, vegetables, milk or milk products, fish, and eggs. Yes, I have tried different diets over the years, but this is the one I keep coming back to. So, when I look at this new food pyramid its not changing my life. However, schools, the military, nursing homes, hospitals, and everyone else are affected by it. I believe it is a step in the right direction. This is just one man's opinion.