Dear Dad,
Healthy living is losing a culture war.
Mainstream culture promotes unhealthy behaviors which have slowly made our eating habits robotic.
The other week I was traveling aboard a Delta Airline flight and midway the flight crew marched down the aisle offering drinks and snacks. The only snack available was a Delta Airline “cookie.”
Wrapped in a red Delta plastic package without any tasty descriptions or clever marketing to be seen, it surprisingly appeared that Delta made no effort to make the cookie look appetizing. But, to my amazement passenger after passenger elected to take the cookie, unwrap it, and eat it. Like a plane full of robots. I couldn’t help but think that the only reason to eat that cookie was if you were on the verge of starvation. And I find it hard to believe that anybody on a July 4th flight to Hilton Head was starving.
The real problem is that we have been conditioned to eat mindlessly without ever questioning whether we’re actually hungry, whether what we’re eating is actually food—providing any nutritional value other than calories—or if we are only eating because it feels like the socially appropriate thing to do. Think about it…how often do you eat and the only real reason why is because food is there. This culture of over abundant mindless eating sells more food products, medications, and diet books. All industries win. The only losers are the not-hungry people thoughtlessly eating whatever is in front of them.
Industries have engaged in a culture war to make sure that those eaters never figure out they’re the ones losing. A common strategy deployed is to normalize unhealthy behaviors under the guise of “convenience,” which is really just laziness. Think about the amount of exercise missed due to the convenience of Netflix, or the packaged food consumed instead of taking time to prepare wholesome and nutritious meals, or the extra calories eaten while sitting at your desk or in front of a television.
Today, it’s “normal” to take the Delta cookie just because it’s available, finish the chip bag because it’s open, or drink multiple cans of soda in a day. And God forbid you muster the discipline to abstain.. weirdo!
Don’t believe me? Next time you accept a dinner invite with friends order the healthiest option on the menu and wait for the ridicule. Order a salad with garbanzo beans and pecans and wait for the server to ask if you want to add any protein? (cough** beans and nuts are plenty of protein). Politely decline the next time a dessert is offered to you and observe the look of scorn. Go out with friends for drinks and only have a glass of water, or even just one drink instead of three. All these healthier habits are scoffed at as cultural forces pressure us everyday to chose unhealthier alternatives.
Until we reverse this sentiment on the mainstream level our population health is destined to decline. We live in a space where burgers and fries, steak and potatoes, or pizza and wings are made out to be more human, more macho, and more fulfilling than a delicious salad, hearty whole grains, or fresh fruits. If you want to be healthy, you can’t be afraid to be a little counter-cultural and go against the grain. Embrace being the weirdo.
You always taught me to lead even if it meant bucking the trend. You emphasized leadership so much that you never cared about grades on a report card only the comments teachers wrote and if I was leading in their classroom. Your influence was on display in 4th grade when my class was waiting to return to the classroom after recess. The teacher made it clear that our line would not move until all students settled down and became quiet, yet many of my peers continued bouncing basketballs and throwing footballs. After about 10 seconds I screamed at the top of my lungs, with a smidge of 4th grade anger, “GUYS, HOLD YOUR BALLS!”…
To win the food culture war you must not be afraid to step out and lead against the grain. Don’t fear ridicule at your next dinner party, drink night, or airplane ride. Take time to reflect on your eating habits and where they come from.
Don’t be a food robot programmed by the masses. Be mindful.
With Love,
JSR
So true! Thanks for highlighting the battle!