My Apologies for the Rant...

Since I’ve decided to begin cooking again now that I’ve finished school, I went to the grocery store today. I was pretty proud of myself for getting everything we needed rather quickly. I wound up standing at the checkout for 20 minutes, though. Rather than become fixated (the way I normally do) on trashy tabloids featuring Kate Hudson’s bizarre looking “Summer’s WORST bikini bod”, I started looking at what the people in front of me were buying. It was sadder than a celebrity’s botched liposuction.

The pregnant mother at the checkout had two shopping carts worth of garbage. I certainly purchase my fair share of junk food, but I try to mix in a salad or a gallon of organic milk to ease my conscience. Growing up my mom took great care to feed us whole grain, low-fat, unsaturated meals. At that time I’d have preferred a “Lunchable” or a gallon of whole chocolate milk, but I’ve come to appreciate and emulate her food selections since then. Looking at the expectant mom unload Cookie Crisp, Frosted Flakes, Coke, Mountain Dew, Fanta, Chocolate Pop-Tarts, a huge case of Raman Noodles, Kool-Aid, breading for fried pork, Doritos, etc. almost prompted me to say something. I didn’t, of course, but watching her pile that junk in her cart made me realize we truly are what we eat. My point is not to sound judgmental (I do love chocolate cereal), but to prompt contemplation about the consequences of decisions we make, and what public policies we might initiate for society’s benefit.

How can we shift people’s purchasing habits? I don’t know, but I do have some ideas. For starters, I’ll bet documentaries like Supersize Me make an impact. Much of the junk available for purchase is cheap and takes less time to prepare than healthier options. (Obvious, I know.) However, maybe we should mandate everyone participate in an anatomy class in order to see the effects of a poor diet ? That would be popular, eh? Maybe we should tax junk food? Junk food taxes would probably be similar to tobacco and alcohol taxes in that demand for the product is pretty inelastic (thanks, MSG!), and would simply reduce the money available for a family’s other necessities. Perhaps we need tighter FDA regulation on processed foods? I acknowledge that people do have the right to eat garbage all day, everyday, but can’t we make it somehow less appealing?

Personally, I think that removing candy and coke from school cafeterias is an important step towards improving the country’s health. Starting children on healthy diets from the very beginning is even more important, however, and something we can’t necessarily legislate. Aside from paying higher wages so parents can afford better quality food and more time at home, I don’t know how to help people prioritize their own health and well-being. We are creatures of habit, though. (Have I mentioned how much I like chocolate cereal?) Starting a child off on a healthy diet may be one of the most important things we can do to ensure the overall wellbeing of the country.

For the sake of the unborn little one in line with me at the grocery store today, I hope his mom figures this out soon.