What comes to mind if I ask you to think about the last meal you ate? The answer is that it was most likely a reheated plate of fast food, a bowl of fresh fruit, or something in between. These foods would have been unimaginable a century ago.
Because over the past 100 years, the way we eat has been dramatically transformed, driven by changes in how food is manufactured, marketed, and consumed. But this age of abundance has undoubtedly led to unintended consequences. While we now have access to more food options than ever before, these options often have less to do with nutrition and more to do with convenience.
The result has been a growing public health crisis, which is born from the very thing that is supposed to sustain us.
A Historic Shift: From Farms to Factories
In the early days, and for much of human history, food was unnatural and did not involve any processing. People prepared dishes only at home and with natural and fresh ingredients, then passed on these recipes and cooking techniques in written or oral form to future generations.
But as societies evolved and their agricultural-based economies became industrialized, our relationship with food changed radically.
Two clear examples of this were:
- The Industrial Revolution: Food processing was inaugurated and accelerated to prolong food’s shelf life and guarantee long-term food security, but its lucrative potential was quickly realized.
- Prepared meals after World War II: With the arrival of World War II, urbanization and dual-income households were promoted; this incredibly boosted the demand for prepackaged meals that were easy to prepare or heat. While this represented progress for some, it also meant the loss of traditional cooking skills.
Today, we can still see these foods crowding supermarket shelves, a far cry from what previous generations consumed. The downside is that these products often contain higher levels of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats while offering fewer essential nutrients.
How the Cigarette Industry Influenced Food
A strong parallel has emerged between the tobacco and food industries, as both have leveraged advances in science and psychology to keep consumers hooked.
One of the most worrying strategies is engineering food to achieve maximum appetite. This concept, known as the “bliss point,” refers to the precise combination of sugar, fat, and salt that makes food irresistible and almost obsessive. Like nicotine, these combinations were designed to activate the brain’s pleasure centers, creating super-addictive eating patterns.
We speak of influence as the food industry borrows strategies from tobacco companies, such as funding research that downplays its role in health problems, marketing to children, and lobbying against regulations. The result is the creation of an environment in which unhealthy choices are not only normalized but encouraged.
Consequences of Processed Diets
After this first introduction, it is not surprising that this shift from whole, nutrient-rich foods to highly processed alternatives has brought dire consequences for our health:
- Rising obesity rates: The abundance of these types of calorie-laden foods has contributed to skyrocketing obesity rates.
- Chronic diseases: These diets rich in processed foods are directly linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.
- Addictive eating patterns: As mentioned, foods designed for bliss can override natural hunger cues, leading to overeating without feeling satiated.
Not All Bad News
While these trends are alarming, it’s important to acknowledge progress. Life expectancy has improved, and certain health outcomes, like coronary heart disease deaths, have declined. Additionally, awareness about healthy eating is growing, and more people are questioning the role of processed foods in their diets.
But Hey, It’s Not All Bad News.
While these trends are very alarming, it’s essential to recognize that there are multiple advances within them all. For example, life expectancy has improved, and certain health consequences, such as deaths from coronary heart disease, have decreased. In addition, as the harmful aspects of these processed foods become more and more known, so does awareness about healthy eating and people questioning the role of processed foods in their diets.
Getting Healthy
It can be tricky to break free from the cycle of addiction that leads to poor health, and to do so; you need to understand how food affects your body. So here are some tips to get your precious health back:
1. Prioritize Whole, Nutrient-Dense Foods
Focus on eating foods as close to their natural state as possible, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. Incorporate traditional staples, such as legumes, which are nutrient-dense and versatile.
2. Cook At Home
Home-cooked food allows you to control what you eat and reconnects you with the tradition of preparing food from scratch, which many families have lost.
3. Read Labels
Black labels have made detecting hidden sugars, unhealthy fats, and chemical additives in foods much more manageable. And the fewer of these ingredients there are, the better.
4. Limit Processed Foods
Once you’ve identified these, limit your consumption of processed foods, especially those high in sugar, salt, and artificial ingredients. This includes sugary drinks, snacks, and ready-made meals.
5. Stay Informed
Keeping up to date on the latest developments in the food industry and its impact on public health will go a long way toward maintaining optimal health.
The Next Frontier in Food
But it doesn’t stop there. The food industry continues to evolve, with trends pointing towards sustainable and efficient protein sources, plant-based diets, and better food production methods.
But real change will require a collective effort, such as:
- For Individuals: making conscious choices and supporting companies prioritizing health and sustainability.
- For Communities: advocating for policies that promote access to healthy and affordable food for all.
- For Industry Leaders: moving from profit-driven models to those prioritizing public health.
Powering a Healthier Future
The silver lining is that the silent health crisis caused by the food industry doesn’t have to define our future. By prioritizing whole, nutrient-dense foods and staying informed, we can regain control of our diets and health.
Imagine a world where food nourishes rather than harms, meals are prepared with care, and the next generation grows up with a healthy relationship with what’s on their plates while they enjoy it.
At Born Super Human, we believe in empowering people through this knowledge to break free from harmful cycles and regain their vitality by making informed choices and sustainable habits. We can create a healthier, stronger future for ourselves and our communities.
Transformation starts with each of us.
