Today we’ll be concluding the three part essay on the state of America’s collective waistline. In part one we discussed the cost ratio between healthy versus junk food. In part two we discussed potentially what could be done by the government to provide guidance to those on a very fixed income in terms of food choices. Also on display was my not at all veiled contempt for Republican politicians currently on the campaign trail. This final piece concerns our taste buds.
Ah taste, a large reason we consume as much as we do. The sense of taste is remarkable. Like smell, it can evoke wonderful memories. This point is especially driven home when you consider the phrase we are what we eat. Looking at food from that perspective, I’m my mom’s Christmas cutouts, my dad’s meatloaf (voted world famous by a voter of one, my dad) and my grandma’s Polish sausage, all things that puts a smile on my face by reminding me of a childhood in Michigan surrounded by my boisterous family.
These items, along with nachos, pizza and wings all contribute to great memories and a love of unhealthy food, which is what makes its so difficult to choose healthier options when these are the foods I’ve come to know and love. On game day, most people don’t want to curl up with a bowl of broccoli when there are deep fried egg rolls to be had. This is the conundrum I face when attempting to select healthy foods but am drawn to items that taste much better.
I’ve been down the health food aisle of my grocery store so often that I nearly have all the items memorized. Soy patties on a low carb bun in favor of beef hamburgers on a thick bun can lack appeal. I understand why health food gets such a bad rap for being bland because a lot of it is. And for me personally, much of this food, while lowering the caloric intake, replaces much flavor with salt. Not a good choice for someone who already has a terrible problem eliminating it from their body.
I was being totally honest when I said I’m at times jealous of those who have no desire to curb their junk food eating habits. I’d love to eat an entire bag of Cheetos right now. Instead I’m steaming green beans to nosh on.
Its cheaper in the short term to eat empty calories, loaded with salt, sugar and fat than it is to try to eliminate those items in lieu of fresh vegetables and lean meats. For many, the flavors they are today savoring are worth the harm to their health. When people spend money on these foods, perhaps they should also be taking into account the unforeseen costs down the road: medical costs for doctor visits, insulin, blood pressure medication, not to mention potentially leading to heart disease, diabetes, strokes and some forms of cancer. What the real value in that value meal?
The long term benefits of healthy eating as I see it far outweigh the tastiness I get from short term indulgence. I get tired of watching my diet but I get tired of being tired from saturated fats and shortness of breath from carrying around the extra bulk. I’ve lost forty-two pounds since September 2010 and I’m proud of that. But it doesn’t make eating veggies any more fun.
Today’s lie: we will train ourselves to like veggies as much as our nachos when watching Sunday football.
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