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The Fifth Step
(Part of the 12 Step Series)
baltimore eats - June, 2008
by John Shields
W
hen we head to the supermarket most likely we aren't thinking about the food ethics- well at least not when we are in the "middle" of the market. Working our way around the perimeter of the store we may be mindful of free-range chicken versus factory farmed. We may be aware that purchasing organic milk and eggs may be better for the environment and our bodies. Or we surely know that buying free trade organic bananas will assist small farmers in South and Central America as well as keeping harmful pesticides out of the soil.
But once we find ourselves in the "middle" all bets are off. Those easy, convenient products just seem to jump into our carts almost by themselves. Which brings us to the 5th step of Processed Food Anonymous - Admitting to our higher power and to another human being how our food purchasing and eating habits are affecting our families, our communities and ourselves.
Food experts and dieticians alike advise us to stay out of the middle of the supermarket where products that are highly processed by huge industrial "food" makers fill the shelves. They are seductive little jars, bags, cans, and plastic containers all cheerfully decorated and telling us just how delicious, easy-and often, how healthy they are.
But actually, most of these products are simply vehicles to transport salt, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, saturated fat, and trans-fat, while containing virtually nothing in natural nutritional value. The purchase of these items has far reaching ramifications to. Of course this does nothing to enrich the economy of our local communities, but let's also consider the physiological results of habitually eating this type of food. Our people are suffering from an epidemic of diabetes, obesity and heart disease-just to name a few of our chronic ailments.
We grab a snack pack of chocolate cookies, or a box of mac 'n cheese, and think to ourselves that this was just a little indulgence in some comfort food, and after all, it is much easier than preparing a meal from scratch. No harm done really... but in doing this we fool ourselves.
Consider obesity. The U.S. government reports that over half of the population is overweight and a considerable number are morbidly obese. This did not happen from eating, fruits, vegetables, grilled seafood or small amounts of lean meat. It came from our obsession with fast, easy, cheap, processed foods. Being overweight puts a tremendous strain on the body-on our heart, lungs and our joints that give out from the strain of bearing the excess weight.
Some think eating whatever we like-come what may-is an just individual's right to make a choice, but when we look at how the situation is harmful to the person's family we can see that this may not be the best thought process on the matter. When we are severely overweight and can no longer get around by ourselves, or can no longer work, or we develop diabetes, our children, co-workers, spouses, and friends are directly affected. The illnesses related to obesity and poor nutrition are painful to all involved.
Even if one does not become truly obese, the silent killer of heart disease may never-the-less be slowly clogging the arteries. The medical community has been shocked to find that even very young children now have cardiovascular diseases! Young adults die suddenly, leaving a spouse in despair and children without a parent. When we persist in eating high fat, overly processed food we endanger our families, our friends, the greater community and ourselves.
This why the 5th step in our little effort to combat overly processed industrial foods is so important. We need to talk with one another about our struggles with eating poorly-get, and give, support to one another. Maybe this means shopping together to help make better choices. Or perhaps trading recipes that are more healthful-even better, try out these recipes by cooking together.
We must take the 5th Step- admit that there is something wrong with our relationship to this unhealthy "food system" and band together to help each other change. Then we will have the strength and courage to turn our lives, and ultimately, the food system, around.
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