I was reading an article in the New York Times November 28,
2010 edition tonight and found a catchy title that obviously had me at ‘Junking.’  The title, “Junking Junk Food” did not
prepare me, however, for the subject matter- 
should politicians be involved with the food choices that Americans make.   As you might know, the Obamas have
prioritized increasing awareness about the potential perils of the Standard
American Diet (known as ‘SAD’ in Integrative Medicine).  Research shows that there is an alarming
increase in diseases of poor lifestyle- meaning diseases that could be
prevented AND treated by just changing the way a person eats, exercises or
manages stress.   With over 66% of Americans overweight or obese
and heart disease killing hundreds of Americans daily, I was shocked there
could be a counter movement to the cure for it all. 

America used to be the magical ‘Land of Lots’ several
decades ago and mostly to those who don’t enjoy the simple comforts of
modernization.  But if you know any
friends or family in a faraway land, you may have already been clued into what
they think of us now… lack of discipline and limits.  We want it all!  In this article, the author describes Sarah
Palin as she leads a media-laden parade promoting a ‘cookie showdown.’   Her mission was to be the sweet voice of American
youth, the ones that were being denied their inalienable right to a high fat,
sugary cookie at school.   She states
that the featured Christian academy had no right to deny a child his/her
‘pursuit of happiness.’   What??? 
Do we really think that is what the school was trying to do when it
worked to improve nutrition amongst its students?  Isn’t it the responsibility of our school
system to teach boundaries, discipline, and the big one… health education?  Why shouldn’t a school work to practice what
it preaches?  Wouldn’t you be more likely
adopt healthy behaviors if all of the teachers you had ever come in contact
with were working on making better life decisions in matters of body, mind and
spirit every day?  Don’t all parents know
that school culture is a major, undeniable influence on children’s behaviors-
good and bad?

(Here I must admit I couldn’t pick between 2 ending
paragraphs to this post…so here’s both!)

OPTION 1:

Why would someone confuse innocent Americans from adopting
this healthier perspective on life?   I
honestly don’t care which political party gets the message out but we need to
shout out this message from the rooftops. 
Wake up America… We Are What We Eat and It is Killing Us!  It is politically irresponsible to poo-poo
the importance of healthy body and mind- and then to use the most respected of
American values, Freedom, to manipulate your audience.  Do not fall for it- do NOT equate dangerous
eating with Freedom.  If you remember my
post on “Everyday Addict,” you’ll know that statements like these do nothing
for you.  They hurt you because they promote
the denial that helps millions of unhealthy food addicted Americans continue to
eat the very foods they know will eventually lead to their disease and demise.   

 OPTION -2 ENDING OF
THE POST:

I am constantly stunned to see parents shoveling unhealthy
food into the mouths of the kids they love and then wondering why their child
doesn’t concentrate well, gets sick easily or has poor self-image about her
body shape.  I think it is wonderful that
schools might teach our kids something that they can bring home and teach their
parents.  I know that when schools and
American culture changed its acceptance of cigarette smoking to a flat out
rejection, kids were making their parents accountable for their smoking.  Health is not an issue for politicians to
decide upon; it is a decision you must make to save your own life.  Why wait until the system figures it
out?  Take responsibility and change the
way you look at your food.  It’s true…
when we start advertising the real dangers of eating junk food, we might
actually get the reality check this country desperately needs to change the
course of our failing health education report card.

Here’s the link to the article that sparked this post:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/28/magazine/28FOB-wwln-t.html?_r=1&ref=magazine