It’s all a matter of perspective

 

 

The modern society has facilities for about any type of addicted person. Indeed, specific rehab centres can treat alcoholics, sex addicts, drug addicts, gamblers, and even Internet addicts. Some of these centres are funded by the government and some are paid by the individual. Still, it is all the same thing : people can follow different programs that focus on getting rid of unhealthy – and dangerous – habits. What we seem to forget is that these people are a very small problematic population. Another type of population (who happens to be the majority nowadays) – those who are addicted to foods or eating processed foods – are often left alone. When it comes to it, improvement of the quality of life of the majority should be serious business.

In no way I am critiquing the people who go to rehab. In my book, anybody who is willing to put the needed effort to better their life is somebody I admire. Indeed, somebody who is willing to walk the walk (instead of just talking the talk) is someone worth helping. However, the point I am trying to bring is that as long as food addiction is ignored (or not getting more attention), we won’t get any healthier.

In most cases, most people learn through two ways. The first one is done through trial and error. Once you fail, usually, you are able to look up what went wrong and address it. The second one is done through the intervention of someone else. Being coached, taught or supported by someone through the process of bettering yourself is usually the best way to make a change. This is due to the fact that it is very hard – psychologically, physically, and motivationally – to do everything without the help of anyone. We are social animals after all.

Think about it : all these people who go to rehab have something in common. They have all a dangerous – or unhealthy – behaviour that they are trying to get rid of. These behaviours destroy them psychologically (e.g. self esteem problems) and physically (e.g liver damage). Most of the time, these people also have money problems too, because all their money is spent on their addiction (drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc.). These people learn to better their lives through coaching (rehab).

The problem with this is that we only partly accept to help people that have dangerous behaviours. We are good at pointing out a problematic minority (such as drug addicts because of the possible criminal ties) but we are very bad at pointing out the majority (those who have food related problems). Why is this? Well, for one, if we were to point out the majority, you most likely would have to point out yourself too (there is a high chance that you are part of the majority). So we are probably afraid to talk. Or maybe we just refuse to admit that it is a serious problem. It’s way easier to say ”they” than say ”we”.

Here is a reality check : most of us are very unhealthy. Obesity, diabetes, insomnia, inactiveness, heart failures, cancers, etc. are all on the rise. Not only are these problems part of our daily life, they are also part of the life of our pets. Indeed, diabetes and obesity are also rising for our domesticated animals. Most of these problems are heavily linked to our dietary choices. Of course, other things factor in, but I am not going down that road today.

If I had to estimate it, I would say up to ~90% of people live on processed foods (also called junk food). By definition, these people are food junkies. These junkies are the ones eating pizza for breakfast while waiting for the bus. They are the one eating ”healthy” cereals, drinking redbull when they wake up (coffee is not enough anymore), and downing 5 cans of soda a day. It’s not that they are fat, it’s that they don’t enjoy a high quality of life.

 

 

These people are no different than the various addicts I listed above. They all have a dangerous and unhealthy behaviours. These behaviours destroy them psychologically (e.g self esteem issues) and physically (e.g lack of energy, diabetes, obesity, etc.). Sometimes, these people also have monetary problems (junk food simply does not fill them up). However, they are not coached (at least, not without bias) on how to improve their life. See, it’s all a matter of perspective.

So why don’t we help them? Obviously, they are having a hard time learning by trial and error. They have failed and it only hurt them even more. They really need coaching. They probably don’t need a rehab centre, but they need someone -or a few people- to help them walk the road of self bettering. I hear you coming : ”Different nutritionists can help them!” And you are completely right. But the facts are still the same : we are getting unhealthier. We need something bigger : we need every single person to be educated about the food they put in their body.

How can we do that? I will tell you the truth : we can’t do it perfectly. Here is why :

• Our government tried. However, it would have been better if they had not. They endorsed theories instead of facts (such as the idea that fat is evil). What’s even worse is that the governmental recommendations are based on lobbyism. This is why the food pyramid still advocates eating dangerous foods (such as grains or soy instead of meat). The more lobbyists get the government to sell their junk foods, the happier they are and the unhealthier we get. The unhealthier we get, the more money pharmacists make. Avoiding evidence and debate is definitely proof of that.
• We simply do not know enough about nutrition to make a generalized plan for everyone. As we have just seen, in the past, it simply did not work (government food pyramid). Our knowledge of nutrition and human biology is limited. The large amount of studies definitely don’t help : we are confused. We will get there in time, but, at this very moment, we can only come up with a few worthy guidelines (and, maybe that’s where the money is at).

How can we help them if on one side, some people care more about money than health, and on the other side, we simply do not have enough knowledge to be 100% sure of our recommendations?

 

 

The only answer I have for you – and I hope this message travels enough to make a positive change in our society – is that no matter what your diet looks like, if you avoid processed foods (or, in other words, avoid being a food junkie), you are on the right path. This is the only thing we can be sure of. Like I said, I believe that’s where the money is at.