Sunday, 9 March 2014

HEALTH WARNING

As a child growing up during World War 11, I was lucky that my parents were able to put food on the table. OK, sometimes it wasn’t very much as we had to endure food rationing, but they did the best they could under the circumstances. As I grew older, the situation improved and the quality and often the quantity of what was available became better, and with more variety as global trade became stronger.

Today, there is hardly ever a day when our newspapers do not shout loud about some “new” food hazard. A few days ago, it was about a high-protein diet that was extremely bad; today it’s sugar that is getting the same treatment (even though fruit has a high sugar content, but we are urged to eat it) and last month a scare about drinking too much red wine! It seems to me that the UK medical and scientific communities seem determined on extending human life – either by diet, medication or genetic manipulation. The world already suffers from over-population, and I wonder what Malthus thinks whilst lying in his grave?

Should we stop eating altogether? No harmful fats, no sugar, no high-protein….I am totally confused, so surely moderation in everything is the key?

Not having been a life-long non-smoking, teetotal vegan, I wonder how many years I have lost…


Until next time (and probably doing all the wrong things – but enjoying life),


Peripatetic Scribe 

6 comments:

  1. Another fine post, PS. Like you, I am also confused by all the "scares" we read about....and yes, I too am sure I'm doing all the wrong things, but having a great life!!
    Mark NZ

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  2. I agree. Adding to your list of "bad" things, I remember coffee was "bad" a short time ago. I wonder if newspapers print this stuff just to fill up space??
    Anton, Bonn, Germany

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  3. Mark, thank you. Delighted to know you are of the same mind as I am!!

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  4. Anton, thank you. You make an interesting point - but surely the can't be short of more interesting stuff? Or perhaps they aim at a lower-level audience?

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  5. Unfortunately, the newspapers are increasingly aiming at lower-level audience and also to revive the intellectual decay of the readership for obvious reasons. Moderation and reliable sources on healthy food and health are probably the wisest option, yet one has to enjoy life at least occasionally. Thank you! Lucana

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  6. Thanks, Lucana. I agree that the press is dumbing-down what it prints but I guess this is a function of trying to raise falling circulation!

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