The Food Cop

Today’s newspaper got my attention with a story about a nutrition professor they called the “Food Cop.” The professor, Marion Nestle, teaches a university class called “Food Politics and Policy.”

One of her complaints is with the enormous amount of money spent to market junk food to kids. No need here to go through the litany of health issues today's overweight and obese kids are likely to face as adults. We’ve heard the warnings.

Most in the food industry have no love for professor Nestle. Their goal is to sell and sell more and more. And her advice is, “Eat less, move more, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, go easy on junk foods.” Try to imagine her at a McDonald’s or Burger King franchise pep talk.

An achieved goal of successful societies is the defeat of famine; but, unfortunately, it often ends in embracing gluttony. On a personal and local level, think about people gatherings of any kind. What’s usually front and center on the conference table? Sugar and fat laden “treats.”

It’s your body. Be strong and say, “No thank you.”