On the Media (distributed by WNYC and NPR) had a wonderful segment today on why inflammatory anti-science, conspiracy theories regarding food and food ingredients get such traction in our culture.
Here is a link to the story:
http://www.onthemedia.org/story/what-does-body-good/
There are certainly foods and ingredients that we are better off avoiding, but black and white thinking, that certain ingredients are “killing us”, or moralizing foods is not rational, healthy or an enjoyable way to think about eating. In the end, it all comes down to the question of whether what you are putting in your body is nourishing you. Nourishing means different things, depending on the person, their health, their values, their preferences, their goals and their mood. I can be nourished equally by broccoli and ice cream, for different reasons, and both can be part of a healthy diet as long as I continue to eat mindfully and understand what I am getting out of the food compared to what I want. Do I want to taste the creamy fat and sparkle of sugar in the ice cream? That is excellent, and I will enjoy it in moderation, though I more often crave the subtle sweetness and even energy from roasted vegetables. On the other hand, if I were feeling sadness or stress and ate ice cream for 5 minutes directly from the carton, without really tasting it or enjoying it, or giving myself permission to enjoy it, then that does become a harmful food.
Some foods do contain ingredients that are harmful to our health in any quantity, and they are best to avoid, but most foods are most harmful to us by the psychological turmoil we put ourselves into because of them. Food should not have power over us because we are afraid of chemicals that might be lurking in the ingredient list, because we feel guilty about an indulgence or because we are just too confused about all of the information and misinformation out there that we don’t know what to eat at all. Please trust those of us who are scientifically trained and ethically obligated through our profession, like registered dietitians, to provide you with the truth so that you can enjoy improved health and wellness. Others out there may be shouting louder, but at best they have good intentions but are ignorant of the facts, or lack depth and perspective on the details, and at worst are charlatans looking for fame, profit, or more followers on social media!
Here is a link to the blog post by Bryn Mawn chemist Michelle Francl-Donnay, discussed on NPR today:
http://cultureofchemistry.fieldofscience.com/2015/04/food-babe-versus-science-babe-of-beaver.html?m=1
