I am getting very weary of reading recipes that have the worth "healthy" at the beginning of them.
I just read a recipe for "healthy" quesadillas and I think my head popped off.
Why do we have to do this? Why do we have to categorize food into healthy and unhealthy categories? And on what basis do we categorize any given food? Fat? Calories? Antioxidant properties? Where/how it was grown?
What if...now work with me here...but what if each food in and of itself is not inherently healthy or unhealthy? What if it's your lifestyle over the course of a day, week, month, year that's either healthy or not?
I mean really, if you ate nothing but raw carrots your skin would turn orange, you would get very sick and die. Are carrots unhealthy?
What purpose does it serve to label food "bad" or "good", "healthy" or "unhealthy" What if living a healthy life means eating a variety of foods, moving around some, getting enough sleep and avoiding stress? That leaves room for a piece of cheesecake now and then doesn't it? And maybe a vodka and soda?
I know, I know, this is all very counter to what we all keep reading but the truth is, as a nation we're getting fatter and fatter. We keep talking about healthy this and healthy that but adult onset diabetes has been described as an epidemic. I'd say guilt is just as bad for us as eating too much cheesecake. In fact there have been studies proving that guilt blocks the digestion process and pleasure is known to help aid digestion.
So how about this; put away those labels when you eat. Come on, you know what a healthy diet looks like. Eat your veggies. Get some whole grains in you and lean meat. Drink lots of water. Avoid food that comes with directions or that you can get at a drive through...most of the time. And enjoy your food. Slow down and focus on your meal. Take time to prepare something that's good then enjoy it with a glass of wine and your friends or family. Or just yourself and today's newspaper. Go for a walk after supper, then go to bed early.
Now that sounds healthy.
4 comments:
I like it. I remember reading a concept about eating to "nourish your body". It goes a bit beyond eating "healthy", it means considering what is nourishing for you now. Which I think could mean a good glass of red wine and some dark chocolate!
I agree, society depends too much on label, taking them at face value, like it's 'Bible true'. "If it says it's healthy/low cal/low fat, etc. I must be able to eat it as much as I want and still be healthy." People want to be parented by those willing to work at being informed.
YES!
Oooh, I liked this post very much. What you wrote is SO true, and I am guilty as charged. THanks for the perpsective, and the reminder that being healthy equals a million little choices you make each day. I would like to add that it is 8:45 pm and I am cozy in bed. With a handful of mini chocolate chips. Errrr... healthy? :) Great post!
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