Healthy Eating

There is so much talk these days about food, nutrition, and health. Have you been watching Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution? He makes some good points, but he also blurs the lines on other points. I will agree wholeheartedly that school lunch rooms warm-up too much already prepared food. And I will agree that our meals should be colorful and varied. However, pizza and sloppy joes alone are not bad foods.

I come from the old school of approaching everything in moderation when it comes to eating. If our plates are filled with foods from each of the food groups, have texture, and contain color, most likely we have prepared a well-balanced meal. This should not be a complicated task, but rather an enjoyable responsibility.

Do schools still teach home economic classes? Those classes provide valuable food skills and nutrition knowledge. I remember writing weekly menus in class and using the food guide to see that each food category was included. We learned portion sizes, food budgets, and table manners. And we learned to cook and clean up after ourselves.

Eating and cooking should be a fun adventure for everyone. I fear that our society might be demonizing food. Food is not evil nor is food the enemy. Food provides us with the energy we need to live.

So, rather than single out certain foods or blame food production on our bad eating habits and unhealthy lifestyles, let‘s each begin by consuming size appropriate, balanced meals and engaging in activities that get us moving.