Fat people and education

At an informal gathering, I participated in a discussion about a proposed sugar tax in New Zealand. The conversation centered on the taxation of food, government over-intervention, and ways to encourage healthier eating. Everyone felt a moral obligation to improve people’s eating habits. However, we agreed that food has varying levels of usefulness and nutritional value for each person and has no inherent moral value.

A repeated suggestion was to educate people about food and its origins, especially the poor. But wealthy investors want to continue using any means to increase the profits of their genetically modified foods, including slave labor and abuse. People already understand food. Let me give you an example.

As I drive to work each morning, I pass a Domino’s pizza franchise. The other day, I noticed a poster for a meat-lovers pizza in their window. The calorie count was twice the size of the price, taking up a third of the page. It’s more important to tell people how many calories are in a pizza than its price. Who thinks that anyone buying a meat-lover pizza is ignorant or cares about calories? You’re either buying it cheap to feed a hungry family, or you want a greasy pizza and care about calories. You could put the calories in a big, scary font with flames, and people would still buy it because they want it or have no other option.

I have a problem with educating people about food, primarily when it’s aimed at poor people, who are the biggest consumers of fast/processed food. Fast/processed food is cheap, and the attitude that poor people need to be educated about food is classism, usually coming from the wealthy.

A person from a lower socioeconomic background knows more about food and its value than any affluent person. As someone who has lived through poverty, I can tell you we know everything about the food we spend our little money on. I would spend more time looking at the price than the nutritional value. I wanted the most filling, calorie-loaded food that would last the longest for the least amount of money. Poor people aren’t ignorant; they’re poor. They don’t choose fast food because they don’t know any better; they prefer it because it’s cheap, easy, filling, and available.

Fat people are often misunderstood as ignorant about food. However, I’ve been educated about food since childhood and am now 52. I’ve spent decades calculating food facts due to dieting and disordered eating habits. I’m not alone in this experience. Fat people are the least ignorant about food’s nutritional information. Poor people are often the least aware of it, too.

To help people eat more nutritious food, we must make it affordable. A living wage for fast food workers would make healthy food as expensive as fast food. Imagine working a long day to cover expenses and having little time to shop for and prepare vegetables. You need something quick, hot, and filling, which is why fast food workers often work long hours.

Enough ranting. I’m concerned about the addictive chemicals in low-cost food that keep me coming back for more. Withdrawal symptoms are here!

All you quiet dreamers, carry on!

Comments from my original blog - I merged the blogs.

SteveQ

Having been in a grocery store and thinking "I need more Vitamins A and D and I only have $3; I'll buy milk," I can attest that poverty makes one keenly aware of nutrition. Occasional junk food is about the only luxury the poor can afford.  Sunday, March 1, 2015 at 1:26:33 PM CST

Valentines day 2015

I’ve never been much of a celebrator of special days. Birthdays, holidays, and other events have always been just another day, a trait I inherited from my upbringing and passed on to my son. I regret not teaching my son to appreciate and cherish these days more.

This is the first year I have had no choice but to ignore this special day. Yesterday, I fell ill, the worst flu / cold I have ever experienced. I had severe breathing difficulties, struggled to stand, and experienced rapid digestion. It could be a better way to avoid the required/desired Valentine's Day activities, but this year, I unintentionally escaped the mad rush to celebrate a special day.

Every day should be Valentine’s Day. Had I been patient and loving, my life would’ve been different. I’d’ve made each day special and carried that effort forward. Oh well, just another regret?

I need to rush to the restroom!

Carry on, my friends!

Wheat Belly

Wheat Belly, a captivating book, intrigued me after years of frustration with weight gain despite eating a relatively low-calorie diet. I’ve also explored the link between weight gain, obesity, and depression. Clinical studies show obesity and depression often co-occur without a cause-and-effect relationship. Scientists seek to understand their connection: does obesity cause depression, or vice versa? Could a third factor drive both? These questions guide research and treatment.

Our modern Western diet often drives obesity and depression. Excessive fructose, primarily from sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, contributes to insulin resistance and central obesity. Insulin resistance requires more insulin to drive glucose into cells, trapping fat inside cells that can’t be used for energy. Recent evidence suggests that excessive fructose intake alters gut bacterial flora, contributing to the development of metabolic syndrome and obesity.

Rapidly absorbed carbohydrates, especially from grains, cause unstable glucose levels and magnified glucose spikes. Over time, these spikes damage nerve cells because neurons lack an insulin gate, leading to loss of nerve function and neuropathy before other organs are affected.

Over time, toxic glucose spikes trigger diffuse brain dysfunction, impairing brain function. The first symptom is a craving for sweet and starchy food, leading to excessive consumption and brain damage. Mild brain dysfunction symptoms include fatigue, anxiety, mood swings, and poor sleep. At this stage, the symptoms are mild and variable, indicating the absence of a disease.

There are two types of obesity. The most common type is associated with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type II diabetes. The second type, MINE, occurs when excessive body fat develops without adverse metabolic markers. This type is seen in overfed healthy animals.

Obesity linked to sugar, HFCS, and grains isn’t due to calories or overeating. People with this type of obesity, like me, have excess body fat, especially in the abdomen.

After reading Wheat Belly, I explored the link between obesity and depression. I wanted to know about the connection between depression and people with “metabolic obesity” and those who were obese but metabolically healthy. People with metabolic issues were at a higher risk of developing depression, while those without were not.

How does this apply to me? I prefer not to be obese or depressed. If insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome are the leading causes of obesity and depression, the best strategy is to prevent or treat metabolic problems. To limit my intake of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome triggers, I should avoid sugar, HFCS, and high glycemic carbohydrates, especially from grains.

Indeed, this description accurately characterizes the majority of processed foods that constitute the foundation of the contemporary American diet. I am diligently endeavoring to adopt a diet rich in wholesome foods, encompassing meat, poultry, fish, seafood, vegetables, and fruits. While I am not particularly fond of milk due to its high sugar content, a moderate intake of cheese is acceptable. Additionally, I restrict my consumption of legumes due to their potential anti-nutrient properties. Some individuals may recognize this dietary approach as a Paleo-style approach. However, I prefer to refer to it as a healthy diet.

By adopting this dietary regimen, I anticipate making significant strides in mitigating the metabolic issues that appear to contribute to my obesity and depression.

Furthermore, I am aware that wheat is also associated with ADHD, PTSD, anxiety disorders, autism, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. I find this connection intriguing and believe there is a correlation between food and these prevalent disorders. Consider this: would I prefer to endure a lifetime of taking medication, experiencing a state of drowsiness, or modify my diet?

This pivotal study unequivocally demonstrates the correlation between the consumption of specific foods and depression. In the foreseeable future, we can expect to see an increase in research examining the impact of diet on common chronic diseases. My next reading will be Gary Taubes’ “Good Calories, Bad Calories” and “Why We Get Fat.”

I need to get a hold of this life, as the past year has been far from enjoyable.

All you quiet dreamers, carry on!

R.I.P. again

In my last post, I mentioned the passing of Steve Wilkinson. I’ve lost three friends in the first 34 days of 2015, which hasn’t been a good start.

Aaron Buffington, a fellow in my profession and a long-distance runner, lost his battle with cancer. I met him at work functions and later at the Superior 100 in 2011. We lost touch after his child was born, but I still consider him a friend.

I attended Steve Wilkinson’s visitation and funeral last weekend. It was a day of tears. What amazed me was meeting his daughters for the first time. They were shocked when I introduced myself and praised my work ethic and dedication. It was a humbling moment, as I had no idea my efforts had been recognized by someone as incredible as Steve. He was a great reader and knew I didn’t need praise to do my best.

It’s hard to believe he’s gone. Neal Halberg’s simple and authentic words at the funeral (available on YouTube) resonated deeply. Steve was an eternal optimist, and his attitude toward life is reflected in the “Psychology of Winning.” I wish I had prioritized my family over my career.

Even when faced with the world’s biggest jerk, Steve would smile, find a positive aspect, and promote good in everyone. Here’s what Neil read.        

Before Steve

• I did not know that an ego could be tamed with one prayer
• I did not realize that fear could be conquered with a smiley-faced racket
• I did not know that winning could mean losing 0-6 0-6
• Or losing could mean winning 6-0 6-0

Before Steve

• I did not know that simply saying a name could be the key to unlocking someone's soul.
• I did not know that "thank you" was as important as "I love you."
• I did not realize that having a vision meant not everyone would like you
• I did not know that silence might be the best advice a person can give 

Before Steve 

• I did not know that driving a ten-year-old car and living in the same modest house for forty years could make you rich in what matters.
• I did not know that Rol-Dri-ing a court - properly - could make one old guy so happy.
• I did not know that "I could" if I thought I could

Before Steve

• I did not know that grief could press you down onto your mattress for hours.
• And only love could make you get back up again.
• And I did not know that lifting one person up could make everyone around you fly.
• Including yourself.

Before Steve

• I did not know that the face of life and the face of death are the same: 
• A smile and a high-five

He should have mentioned Steve after him, but that’s just not possible. Everyone will eventually move on, but for this friend who’s a bit overweight, arrogant, and getting older, I’ll never forget him.

All you quiet dreamers, carry on!