I agree we are entitled to our own opinions and choices, but we have to be very in tune from where our nutritional information is being derived. My vegan feathers got ruffled last evening while lifting weights with the TV on for distraction. The Five, a Fox News channel show, had a segment reporting on an Italian study that stated women were more attracted to men who ate meat. They went around the table giving their supporting opinions while they ate their favorite “protein” derived from dead animals. Supporting arguments included Dana Perino having been told on a safari that animals, like humans with their eyes in the front, were hunters and those on the side were weaker grazers. She also bragged about being from a family of cattle ranchers in Wyoming. No bias towards eating animals there! Another arrogant comment came from the less than manly Greg Gutfield who stated eating cow ribs was like being a cannibal to those watching from other planets, making humans something to be feared from potential predators. Jesse Watters, who probably would not tolerate going without air-conditioning, let alone hunting down his own food, suggested that eating meat was a sign of strength and manliness that attracted women. I am not sure how manly hunting meat on a menu is, given that he probably gets most of his animal protein delivered to him at restaurants, like the steak covered in a cheese sauce he proudly ate during his comments. And then there was Juan Williams, the token liberal, said he was trying to cut back only eating non meat items like chicken and fish because of his brush with prostate cancer. I guess flying and swimming animals are not animals and cutting back is a punishment for being stricken with cancer.
How is it that political journalists become experts in all fields including health and nutrition? At least Dana confessed to her support from the cattle industry. Juan perhaps knew better but sought sympathy for his bad choices from those with similar illnesses. Greg and Jesse portray bad boys that use sarcastic humor to feel good about their bad habits. It is your choice boys, just don’t try to take others down with you. They would be less coy if a vegan powerlifter walked out on the stage to question their manliness. The bottom line is that they are there to support the sponsors and their well studied viewer demographics. When most populations are asked what is most important, they universally site health. Yet industry vows to disconnect nutritional choices from health seeking support from anywhere they can.
The important lesson is to be aware of the biases of the presenters and question their sources. Hearing good things about your bad habits does not justify continuing down a path that leads to poor health and lifestyle diseases. Being supported by industy sponsors does lead to bias. There have been many studies showing the herd effect on generating biases and opinions. I am intolerant of hecklers in my nutrition classes because of this very reason. Even though there is no malice intended, there is an underlying desire to attract like thinkers to support old behaviors, and hang onto the very choices that caused ill health in the first place.
Our goal is to present the most accurate data available on preventing and reversing lifestyle diseases without attachment to industries promoting quick fixes and unproven health benefits. Eat plants as close to their original form as possible, and move your body daily. Let us help you achieve the healthiest version of you.
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