I waited impatiently on the front steps of my dance studio for my dad, who had promised to pick me up after my lesson. He pulled up, a little late, and I hopped in. We were stopped at a red light when a shiny black Mercedes, similar to ours, pulled up beside us. After admiring the car, I glanced to the other side and noticed a homeless man slumped on the sidewalk. His clothes were tattered, his face unshaven, and with a hopeless expression he clutched a cardboard sign that read, "Please help, my family is hungry."
Homeless people are not uncommon in big cities, and this was not the first time I had seen one, but for some reason this man, with his ragged little sign, upset me. "You know, Dad," I said, "if the guy beside us didn't have such a nice car, that man could have some food." My dad just glanced at me, then back to the road as the light turned green. I persisted, though. "If we didn't have such a nice car, he could have food."
That night we sat down as a family to discuss it. A few months later, we had sold our house – my beautiful house with a pool and an elevator – and bought a home that cost half as much. The remaining money, $800,000, we gave to organizations that helped the poor. And amazingly, we've discovered that we spend a lot more time together in our new, smaller, house. We're happier now, and with much less than we thought we needed.
(Paraphrased from an interview aired on CBC Radio on August 9, 2010)
The sad reality is that the majority of the world's population faces a lifetime of poverty and hunger, waking every morning wondering what they will eat for breakfast. Or lunch. Maybe even dinner. For those of us lucky enough not to be consigned to that fate, however, other problems exist. Unfortunately, some of those problems are of our own making.
Over the past century, diseases have been popping up that were previously either unheard of or rare. Because they share one commonality, physicians have grouped them into a single category – Diseases of Affluence. Too much sugar, too much fat, too much meat, too much food, too little movement. Our high-pressure, fast-paced, eat-on-the-run lives are taking a toll. What are these diseases? Heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, obesity (yes, it is a disease), gout, and so many more…This is not to say that these disease are by any means caused exclusively by poor diet and lifestyle choices. But they are absolutely a contributing factor.
Investigative journalist Eric Schlosser, in his book Fast Food Nation, observed that "Americans now spend more money on fast food than on higher education, personal computers, computer software, or new cars. They spend more on fast food than on movies, books, magazines, newspapers, videos, and recorded music – combined!" But while fast food is a heavy contributor to our ever-expanding waistlines, it is by no means the only culprit. Over the last century, the average American diet has almost doubled in meat consumption. Similarly, cheese consumption over the last hundred years has increased from 4 to 33 pounds per person per year. And, in the last 30 years alone, the average North American's consumption of sugar has skyrocketed by a staggering 20 pounds per year. And according to Statistics Canada, 48% of Canadians claim that they are completely inactive.
Ironically, in a continent renowned for prosperity and medical advances, we are being outlived by people in much poorer countries. We are literally eating, sitting, and sleep-depriving ourselves to death!
And that should be fantastic news to everyone.
For example, if diabetes was exclusively genetic, that would be tragic. You would grow up knowing that, should one or more of your family members have diabetes, you would be doomed to the same fate. Checking your blood sugar daily. Injecting yourself with insulin. Day after day after day. But that is not the case. The choices you make -- what foods you eat, whether or not you exercise, whether you drink enough water and sleep enough – can significantly decrease your risk of developing the disease, or reduce its impact if you already have it. The same applies to cancer, heart disease, stroke, obesity, gout, and so many more diseases.
So what can you do about it?
Eat more fruits and vegetables. Plant foods provide us with vitamins and minerals, which help your cells function and repair. The fibre they contain decreases LDL (bad) cholesterol, maintains intestinal health, stabilizes blood sugar, and moves waste through your intestines, reducing your risk of colon cancer. (Fibre supplements such as Benefiber and Metamucil will keep you regular, but that's about all they'll do for you.) Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables help repair cellular damage, called oxidation, and thereby help prevent cancer. Finally, fruits and vegetables also provide your body with calcium, iron, and a small amount of protein.
Focus on whole grains. Whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat couscous provide your body with protein, healthy carbohydrates, and fibre. As a side note, just be aware that a diet that asks you to cut out a macronutrient (protein, carbohydrates, or fat) -- Atkins, anyone? -- should be approached with extreme caution. The only reason the Atkins diet causes weight loss is that, with the drastic reduction in carbohydrate consumption, your body becomes desperate for an energy source, and therefore breaks down your own muscle tissue (which weighs more than fat) to provide that energy.
Incorporate legumes into your diet. Beans, peas and lentils are loaded with protein, fibre, calcium, and iron. To top it off, these guys are even cheap! If your body isn't used to the amount of fibre legumes provide, introduce them into your diet slowly, adding a few more dishes every week. And if you've really never ventured into the world of beans, you may want to consider attempting your first dish on the weekend…or on your week off. You'll be pleased to know, however, that all of their musical qualities wear off after the first week or two.
Cut down on your meat and dairy consumption. Yes, I know, some of you are cringing at this one. I'm not telling you to suddenly cut meat out of your diet, just reduce your intake. The reality is that almost 50% of the fat from animal products is saturated fat…artery clogging fat. In a recent study, the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, researchers found that individuals who consumed the most meat and dairy in their diet were also the heaviest, with the highest cholesterol, blood pressure, and body fat percentages. Until the 20th century, people couldn't afford to have meat at every dinner, let alone three times a day! It was a treat reserved for special occasions, like weddings, holidays, and, for the wealthy, Sunday dinners. It was eaten as frequently as we now eat cake. Or as frequently as we should eat cake…
Finally, slow down and cut down! Average portion sizes have increased by more than 25% over the last half century, and people no longer take the time to sit down and enjoy a meal. Food is scarfed down in front of the television, in the car, or at a desk. It takes approximately 20 minutes for your brain to register that you are full, so if you're inhaling a super-sized meal in a hurry, you're most likely going to eat way more than you need to. Whether you're eating a cucumber or a cheeseburger, be thankful that you have food in front of you, and then enjoy the experience!
For most of you, selling your house is likely not an option, nor is donating half of the proceeds of said sale. But remember that just because you can afford to buy ice cream every day doesn't mean that you should. Be thankful that you have access to healthy food and clean water; that you have access to foods that will not only help you to survive, but to thrive. And if you feel like you need a reminder, volunteer at your local soup kitchen for a day. Or donate the money you saved on groceries this week by eating a little less. Your body will thank you.
- Bethany
