It seems that at any given time what one part of the population is fighting for, another part is fighting against.
Take food labels and nutritional information for example. For a long time those of us who are concerned about the health of our nation and our families have supported the fact that this information be made public so we can all make informed decisions. This is especially true for those not-so-healthy places that like to hide their nutrition info a bit.
Well this article originally posted in the Harvard Crimson tells the other side of the story.
By the way, how cool would it to be to write for a college newspaper and have CNN pick it up. Well, then again, she goes to Harvard so maybe it isn’t such a big deal. She’s probably already used to a lot of success and exposure!
The article talks about how parents have requested that nutrition information for dining hall foods be taken down from the hallways and dining rooms.
The reason? It contributes to the struggle of those with eating disorders.
I like to know what is in my food, but I have thought about this issue a lot. First, I think it is great that the school made the effort to supply the info. However, now I can definitely see how this is a concern for people who struggle with eating disorders especially in an atmosphere where the rates of such conditions are so high.
Those disorders aside, sometimes I think they can even have an influence on those of us who try to be healthy in general. It is so easy to become obsessed with food whether it is in a manner where you eat a lot of unhealthy stuff or if you are to the point where you are overly concerned with the nutritional benefit.
I consider thinking about food all the time to be a bit unhealthy. Enjoy food, yes, but constantly thinking about its benefit, burning the calories off, what will hurt and won’t hurt me can be considered a somewhat unhealthy relationship.
Well, and let’s be honest. Sometimes you just want to indulge a bit. In those cases, when it comes to nutrition information, I don’t wanna know!
So how do you feel about posting nutrition information and its influence on our relationships with food?
I would like to know what I am eating…definitely!
I definitely feel that the nutritional information is vital.
For the most part, I want to have access to the information. I also think that there have been times in my life that I have been overly concerned about it to the point where it is unhealthy though.
It seems to me that if you’re going to eat unhealthily, you’ll be able to do that whether or not you have a calorie breakdown in front of you. I mean, I know lettuce has fewer calories than pizza, and I can always look things up on the internet. So the benefits of informing the majority seem to outweigh the perceived dangers of “protecting” a minority.
I think that generally it’s better to be informed than not (especially if you’re trying to eat healthy and something benign like a salad sounds healthy but its dressing is off the charts and your efforts totally get highjacked — that’s the worst!), but it doesn’t have to be in your face. Just an easily accessible pamphlet or sign is good.
Emily, that is an interesting point about the benefits and dangers.
Jenn, that is kind of how I feel. I think in the article they mentioned that it was still accessible at the internet kiosks. I think that is still a good move.
I like to know what is in my food, but I also believe in the “all things in moderation” rule, and I am trying to use that to create a more healthy relationship with food for myself.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love yours and will be adding you to my blogroll.
Thanks meg. I’ve been checking out your blog via foodbuzz. I had to comment when I saw the pumpkin ravioli! 🙂
Well, it doesn’t have to be printed poster-size and placed on every wall, but having the info available is definitely a plus.
Accessibility is definitely the important part.
I definintely agree with “everything in moderation” and I feel like having the nutritional facts will prevent this for some people. I deal with an eating disorder myself and often it consumes all my thinking. When the numbers are available it just leads to more counting and time spent on food. I feel that you can eat healthy without knowing the exact nutritional facts–obviously chicken breast is going to be healthier than a burger, I don’t need the numbers to tell me.
On the other side of the coin, its nice to know when something you thought was healthy isn’t, or sometimes vice versa. I guess I don’t really have an opinion as my rational side says “no” to the nutrition posting while my obsessive eating disorder side says “yes.”
Hi Chuck – Thanks for stopping by with your comment. I appreciate your input and perspective.