Introduction: The Food Industry and "Eat More"

Prior to reading the "introduction" of Nestle's Food Politics, I lacked awareness of the influences of the food industry on what I (or we) eat. I thought I had complete control over my food habits. Isn't it true that I wake up every morning and eat a bowl of granola and yogurt because I make that choice? I go to the grocery store and buy the foods I want for the week. Amidst the many options, I get to "choose" what I want to buy. Right?!

In hindsight, I recognize the naivety of my former outlook. The food industry does influence what I eat...perhaps in a subtle manner, but even so, the industry's influence is apparent in the food options available at stores, the perceptions we currently maintain about food, and much more.

Nestle excellently illustrates the food industry's influence in our lives in her introduction. (I will address one particular influence -- the "eat more" mentality.) She notes she has become "increasing convinced that many of the nutritional problems of Americans--not the least of them obesity--can be traced to the food industry's imperative to encourage people to eat more in order to generate sales and increase income in a highly competitive marketplace." This concept is hard for me to grasp. I think it so clearly illustrates the apathetic nature of the food industry regarding the nation's health when money and fame are a priority. It frustrates me to see sales and income desired over individuals' health statuses. Money versus a life. Where is the integrity of the food industry?

The concept of "eat more" is a persistent theme in the Introduction. Just a few shocking statistics: Fat in the food supply increased by 25% from 1970 to the late 1990s; the calories provided by the U.S. food supply increased from 3,200 per capita in 1970 to 3,900 in the late 1990s; producers of eggs, beef, and chicken receive 50% to 60% of retail cost, whereas producers of vegetables receive as little as 5%; from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, the prevalence of overweight nearly doubled.

It is frightening to see some of these statistics. Knowing the numbers brings the "eat more" risks to light. The health of our nation has declined over the last several decades. I wonder how long it will take to simply return to where we were thirty years ago. Is it even possible to backtrack?

So, you might be asking, how does the food industry press the "eat more" mentality? In many ways. Here are a few: New product introductions have increased greatly over the years which candy, gum and snacks being at the top of the list in 1998 with 2,065 new products; larger portions -- from an industry standpoint, larger portions "make good marketing sense"; adding value to foods through processing...

Finally, I want to comment on an intriguing statement of Nestle's: "Humans do not innately know how to select a nutritious diet; we survived in evolution because nutritious foods were readily available for us to hunt and gather." I find this claim difficult to unquestionably accept. I think there is a part of us, or at least some of us, that desires a nutritious diet. Now, whether or not the desire is influenced by the environment in which we are raised or the body we strive to achieve/maintain remains up for debate. Even so, I would like to believe I have an innate desire for nutritious foods. There are days I crave fruit or a salad or whole grain bread. No questions asked. (I do have my dark chocolate cravings as well though...) Although I agree with Nestle in that the foods once available ensured our survival form an evolutionary standpoint; however, I think it is a harsh generalization to apply to humanity a claim arguing we do not innately crave a nutritious diet. I would like to think and believe otherwise...