Food Addiction

Addiction: Compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance

Food: Material/substance, usually of plant or animal origin, that contains or consists of essential body nutrients to produce energy, stimulate growth, and maintain life. Something that nourishes or sustains in a way suggestive of physical nourishment: food for thought; food for the soul.

Today I walked into the deli and during my usual round of flipping on the lights, TV, radio, etc. Something caught my eye on the TV. The Today Show was airing a segment titled; "Overcoming our Addiction To Food: A National Epidemic."

Really? Our Addiction to Food? I understand all the problems with our country's unhealthy eating habits, but, addiction to food? FOOD? ALL FOOD? Shouldn't it have said, Our Addiction to Fast Food. Bad Food. Fattening Food. Fried Food. Fake Processed Monosodium Glutamate Hydrogenated Soybean Oil Trans Fat Food. I've heard all the statistics about how obese our country is, and how unhealthy the youth of America are, and how other countries can't understand how we eat. Well, do you think in Italy they call it a national epidemic when everyone starts eating more Extra Virgin Olive Oil, unblemished naturally grown Tomatoes, or fresh, non processed Cheeses. How bout in France?

The definition of food is something that consists of essential body nutrients to maintain LIFE, nourishment, both physiological, and phychological. When you put the word addiction in front of anything you make that thing sound terrible just from word-association. But if you WANT to be healthy. Live a long, happy, and satisfying life, you better have a healthy, habit-forming ADDICTION TO FOOD! Good food! All-Natural Food. The food that God intended for us to eat and enjoy! To nourish our bodies, minds, and souls with.

The media shouldn't be spending so much time/money telling people HOW NOT to eat. But should be informing them about HOW TO eat, what to eat, and where to find it.

Don't say that America is addicted to FOOD. Say some Americans (maybe a lot) are addicted to BAD FOOD.

Maybe the real problem is that America has forgotten what good food is. And I'm not talking about "bland tasting health food", I mean fresh fruits and vegetables, olives and olive oil, nuts, whole grains, fresh bread, even pasta! Beautiful red tomatoes, strawberries and blueberries. Fresh cheeses, made by hand, not processed and preserved. I could go on and on and on. But you get the point.

I love food! I love eating food! I think we don't cherish our food and take the time to not only carefully and careingly prepare our food, but also to enjoy eating it. Whether by ourselves, with a loved one, or in the joyful company of others. Food can bring a family together or allow friends to catch up and fellowship. It can be comforting, consoleing, nurturing, romantic, and fun! Plus it tastes really really good. If you eat well, you'll live well.

Don't worry about your addiction to FOOD, just make sure it's the right kind of Food!

 -William Vesper