You’re not going to eat that are you?

November 13, 2010 14 Comments

grocery marketing messages

Think about all the things you like to eat, and then think about all the things that you hate to eat. Is your body telling you what you need to eat, or is somebody else telling you what you like to eat?

Every time I walk into a grocery store, I wonder how other people make their dietary choices. I have food sensitivities and a variety of other dietary issues that make it rather difficult for me when I’m looking for something to eat. With my sensitivities, my body tells what I can and can’t eat. When I eat certain foods, I can react so poorly that I can’t function.

When I go grocery shopping I feel overwhelmed by advertising and marketing messages. Messages that tell me that I should eat something because its low fat, has a new flavor, contains more vitamins, contains antioxidants, is fortified, enriched, new and improved… and so on.

I can get hooked into thinking that something is really ok for me, all because of something on the label. My dietary considerations are drowned out by some marketing voice that says “Eat me, there’s something in here that you really want!”

My body however can read labels better than my brain does. It often speaks loud and clear with examples of poor food choices. Brain fog, sore throat, runny nose, stuffed sinuses, eczema, bad breath… and more.

Fruit SaladChoosing between good and bad food is always a struggle for me. Just because I know the difference doesn’t mean I’m immune to making bad food choices. It’s a constant battle. If I fail to make personal good food choices, the impact on my system is severe. Illness, depression and stress.

In order to get past all the grocery marketing hype and into a healthier body, I’ve studied for years about nutrition and diet. The most effective method to manage my diet challenges has been a simplistic solution. My diet consists of plant based foods, in their whole form.

What’s that look like? Breakfast for me today was 3 figs, 2 apples, 2 bananas, and a grapefruit. Whole fruit with lots of fuel and fiber to jump start my day. This has made me feel vibrant, energetic and alive during the day.

So, what do you eat for breakfast?

Lifestyle
  • http://www.paulholmes.ca/ Paul Holmes

    I eat pop rocks and coke for breakfast (but only on Thursdays).

  • Sher

    I eat organic oatmeal, blueberries and mung beans

  • http://oceanaria.blogspot.com/ Krista

    If I’m lucky I eat an apple and a bagel, if not then this meal is sadly skipped. A habit I know I should break.

  • Ellen

    I’m reading “In Defense of Food” a fascinating look at how the science of nutritionism has really messed up the western diet. The bottom line is that to be healthy, we should eat whole foods, primarily plants. That’s it. Never mind all the marketing claims, eat those foods that have no marketing budget. You are on the right track and it’s clearly working for your body. Congratulations for listening to what your body needs.

  • http://twitter.com/truthaboutfood Anthony Sanna

    Well there’s gotta be nutrition in there somewhere. Pop rocks have fiber right? And coke is made from High Fructose Corn Syrup. Corn’s good. nGreat Job!

  • http://twitter.com/truthaboutfood Anthony Sanna

    Hi Sher. You’re the 2nd person in as many days who has said they eat mung bean for breakfast. Sprouts? Tell me more, please!

  • http://twitter.com/truthaboutfood Anthony Sanna

    Hey Krista. I have a few food “shoulds” too. I shouldn’t drink coffee. Sometimes I win the argument. Sometimes I don’t. Either way, I loose…

  • http://twitter.com/truthaboutfood Anthony Sanna

    Hi Ellen. I’m a huge fan of Michel Pollan. I’ve listened to all of his books, except the newest of which I can’t remember the title. He is one of the authors that has inspired me most. There are other authors who inspire me too. For example, after reading The World Peace Diet by Dr Will Tuttle, I now see that my dietary choices aren’t just for my health. I consider health of the Earth too. That’s another blog post though…

  • Jodi

    Plain yogurt with frozen local fruit and granola. A real hit with my 4 year old too!

  • http://twitter.com/truthaboutfood Anthony Sanna

    Frozen local fruit? They wouldn’t happen to be figs would they? Thanks to you Jodi, I’ve got figs on my breakfast menu!

  • Ssnow

    Hi Anthony… when I changed my eating habits to what I call conscious eating I switched to oatmeal for breakfast. I really missed the ‘crunch’, so I precook mung beans (3/4 cook) then when I am letting the oatmeal rest I put in about 3 tbs of mung beans. Lately I have tried Quinoa, the same way. Both add the crunch I enjoy and the protein I need!

  • http://twitter.com/truthaboutfood Anthony Sanna

    I love hearing of new foodie ideas. Thanks for sharing this tip!

  • Larysarv

    Interesting how we, consumers, can move from our personal interest in food to the issues of the planet and environment, that is understanding eating healthy as eco-friendly eating. I bet that people with food restrictions have a good potential for making a difference in imroving the Earth’s health just because they have to watch what they eat. so shall we say that having multiple food intolerances is beneficial for the planet? I would like to think so at least to justify my diet (gluten-, dairy-, egg-, rice-, soy-, corn-, coconut-,nut-, cinnamon- free diet).

  • http://twitter.com/truthaboutfood Anthony Sanna

    I can’t really imagine what it’s like to be unaware of the food I eat and its impact on my personal health. I believe that by having food intolerance it allows me the opportunity to be very aware of the impact I have on my physical environment. Looks like I’m not the only one…