"What I found, over four years of research and reporting, was a conscious effort — taking place in labs and marketing meetings and grocery-store aisles — to get people hooked on foods that are convenient and inexpensive. "
From the New York Times article The Extraordinary Science of Junk Food, written by Michael Moss.
This is a lengthy article, with many thoughtful comments. It is worth taking the time to read it, but it will not contain much new information for anyone who has read my blog for a couple of years.
However, it will very likely help you understand who is laughing all the way to the bank and has been for decades at the expense of the public's health. I hope reading it will help my readers be even more committed to growing, buying, cooking, and eating healthy foods.
I don't feel like I have anything new to add here. I wrote similar thoughts recently in two posts about 'drudgery', i.e. cooking (here and here) and back in 2010 (Junk "Food" from the Term Junk Food). I don't have a 'tag' that says 'junk food rant' ( - smile - ), but if I did, I could probably easily find a few more posts going back several years on my blog.
Here's a question for all of my readers, including all my dietitian friends and dietetic students and interns. How do you define the term 'food'? Can we agree to stop using the term 'junk food' ??!!
Cultivate your life - you are what you grow - inch by inch, row by row,
Diana Dyer, MS, RD
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1 comment:
Great idea - junk IS just that! Hmm. How to define food? I am going to have to think about this. At a recent talk, I had an audience member ask me about healthy eating (for cancer patients) when money is an issue. This brought to mind food deserts, etc. and is a real problem for many in our urban environment. How can I "judge" the junk that may be all that's available? A calorie may be the most important thing at first, without enough of those the other doesn't matter. I read the article you highlighted, forwarded on by a coworker. Not surprised. Your blogs are always so thought provoking! Thank you! (I am an Oncology Dietitian.
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