Eating Ourselves to Death

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In the words of French author and social critic Francoise La Rochefoucauld, “To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art” (“Food Quotes” 1). Perhaps this is why science seems to have failed us in defining what exactly intelligent eating is. If indeed it is an art, it would be far more fruitful to ask an artist (in this case a chef or a gourmand) what constitutes a healthy diet. But this is the 21st century, and we look to dieticians and nutritionists to tell us what to eat. The problem as I see it is they can’t seem to agree on anything or make up their minds for any length of time. On the other hand, most chefs and connoisseurs would probably agree that a healthy diet begins with quality whole foods and an emphasis on ancient culinary traditions.

By following the advice of the so-called experts, Americans are now in a confused, and sorry, state of affairs. According to a recent article in Time magazine, “The U.S. is by far the fattest country in the world, with 54% of the population overweight . . . Even the nation’s children, the ones so hyperactive they need Ritalin, are pudgy; 25% of them are overweight” (Cray et al. 2-3). Furthermore, “Americans, in lieu of exercise [and a healthy diet], spend $33 billion a year on the diet industry” (Cray et al. 2-3). This is a vicious cycle that unless stopped, will become the “No. 1 preventable killer of Americans,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Nwazota 1). It would appear that in the long run, eating intelligently is just as necessary as eating itself.

In order to become informed about how to eat intellige...

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Nwazota, Kristina. “Obesity edging out smoking as No. 1 preventable killer of Americans.” Online News Hour 15 Mar. 2004. 3pp. 20 Nov. 2005. .

Piddock, Charles. “The good carb diet: the South Beach diet says one thing. Atkins says another. What does science say you should eat?” Current Health 2, a Weekly Reader publication, Jan. 2005: v31 i5 p12 (3). Expanded Academic ASAP. Thomas Gale. Los Angeles Harbor College Library, CA. 12 Nov. 2005 .

“The American Heart Association Declares War on Fad Diets.” 2pp. 14 Nov. 2005 .

Woodworth, Cameron. “Fad Diet or Healthy Nutrition? Diet Gurus Weigh In.” National Choice Directory 4pp. 14 Nov. 2005 .

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