Nick and I watched Food Inc. on Thanksgiving (after we ate our meals). Like we expected, the movie was fantastic and it really put things into perspective. Was it a good perspective? Not so much, but boy am I glad we watched it.
What’s scarier?
THIS
OR
THIS?
Don’t answer that please.
After watching Food Inc., my vote would have to be for A (the obese man chowing down on a fast food burger). I already knew the crap we buy at Taco Bell, McDonald’s, KFC, etc. was exactly that, CRAP. But what I didn’t know was how the animals were treated and how unsanitary and unethical the farming practices were. It’s so sad, to say the very least. And our government is actually so greedy and pathetic, they are doing nothing about these practices, in fact they are enabling them!
I’m not anti-government, but this movie really made me wonder what really goes on in here…..
Bottom line: This movie taught me that there is more than just health-related reasons to not eat fast food and many of the junk we find at grocery stores, there are also moral and political reasons not to do it, and I don’t want to pump any more money into those companies. I’m not going to promise never to eat some of those products ever again, but I am going to be more cognisant of my decisions.
The information regarding the feeding practices of the cows (Ruminants) was very interesting. I don’t know that we should assume that all grass fed animals are more safe and healthy, but they did provide an excellent argument. I’d like to read more about this. Keep in mind, however, there have been foodborne illness outbreaks in Organic foods as well (Salmonella in organic peanut butter) and also local stores that we’d assume were “safe” (Trader Joe’s beef was recalled just about a month ago).
Bottom Line: I’ll continue to buy the protein products that I buy (non grass fed) but I am not against looking into some grass fed, local protein products. I would be more willing to give it a shot now that I have learned more about the potential benefits of grass fed animal products.
The statistic that literally shocked me the most was that; “Of all the people born after the year 2000, 1 in 3 Americans will have Type II Diabetes, and 1 in 2 minorities will have Type II Diabetes”. We’ve got a serious mission to conquer here. Let’s make sure that statistic turns out to be false. Who’s with me??
One of my favorite segments was with the man who worked for Stonyfield. He said something really fantastic. Basically their initial goals for their business was to sell their products to those who weren’t necessarily interested, simply to get them to like it. After some struggles they realized that in order to “reach the masses” they needed to start marketing towards those who were already sold on the product. Building business by word of mouth is the best way to go. Eventually other people heard about their great product and started trying it for themselves. Same thing with organic products, in general. You can find them now at Walmart! Why? Word of mouth caused people to start buying them and now they are being requested!
Bottom Line: Buy organic when you can. I know it’s expensive, trust me, but if you see a sale on an organic item that you would like to try, buy it! Every purchase helps make organic foods a bigger, and cheaper business. And that’s what I do. I don’t let the high prices hold me back, I just don’t waste my money on other junk so I am able to make those purchases.
I would like to end this little review with a quote from an article in the LA Times. This article, which isn’t available online anymore, focused on how a healthy diet can have a tremendous positive effect on your immune system.
“The human body doesn’t have to be starving to suffer malnutrition. Studies show that obesity, in addition to its other health risks, may also make people more susceptible to infections like the flu. A diet heavy on processed and fast foods may be low in the vitamins and minerals important for health.”
If you didn’t read this post, I am going to be posting 5 random things I learned this year as part of every other post, from now until January. I know I skipped it last time, just pretend I didn’t….
Five Random Things I’ve Learned This Year
– Wierd is spelled Weird
– Becomming is spelled Becoming
– Buying bagged popcorn is a waste of money, the kernels last longer and are much cheaper
– My IBS actually effects my mood and my life in a negative way, therefore I am doing something about it.
– Trader Joe’s is the best grocery store ever (I just started shopping there this year!)
Thanks for reading everyone! Have a fantastic day.
