The Four Fat Groups

Some of our discussions lately have focused on food and nutrition. We've discussed the new requirements for chains to post nutrition information on their billboards and menus, and we've talked about who is responsible for the health choices we make (the restaurants, the government, the advertisers, individuals, etc.) The result of these discussions: pure awesomeness. It seems that none of us approaches food and nutrition in the same way. While one person nearly always looks at nutrition information when purchasing soda, or dressing, or a microwavable meal, another doesn't even notice their existence. While one person feels that no information should be kept for consumers (that people have the right to know), another feels it unnecessary and even unfair to certain restaurants.

Today, The United Notions was not in session, but its members did have a few noteworthy things to say over email in regard to a related article, "End the War on Fat: It Could be Making Us Sicker."  Here are my thoughts:

It is interesting how we seem to revise what we “know” about nutrition every decade or so.  When I was a kid, we had the four food groups, and we were told that we had a balanced diet if each meal contained items from at least three (but ideally all four) food groups.  Then, when I was in high school (I think), we were told about the food pyramid, which placed grains on the bottom (6-11 servings per day), and proteins like meats and eggs at the top (with only 2-3 servings per day).   Then, when I was in college, I heard about how “bad” carbs are for me, and I was encouraged (mostly by Dr. Atkins and his skinny followers) to ditch carbs altogether and eat lots of protein (sausage, bacon, and butter were okay, but bread and tomatoes were not).  And now we are told about saturated and unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and how there are “good carbs” and “bad fats” that we were all supposed to somehow keep track of (like fats from avocados were good, fats from certain kinds of oils were good, but fats from other stuff were “bad”).  (Is your head spinning yet?)

I guess what I am saying with all of this is that it is no wonder that people are confused about what they can eat (without guilt and a larger waistline) and what they shouldn’t.  With each decade and new research study, the issue of nutrition seems to get more complicated (from 4 food groups to whatever the heck we have now).  And with advertising like it is (where unhealthy foods are advertised as healthy and “low-fat”, and where unhealthy foods are cheaper than healthy ones), I just don’t see this “problem” having any quick and easy resolutions.

I am a believer in counting calories (or at least keeping them under control), basically eating right, and exercising regularly, but even my method doesn’t address cholesterol and other diet aspects that lead to heart disease.  I hope that by the time I really HAVE to understand nutrition, “they” have found a simpler way to break down food choices for me.  I hear the Michael Pollan argues that people need to use simpler, more honest language to discuss food (so that people actually understand what it seems to have “NO TRANS FATS”).  I think that it is a good idea, but I also have to admit that I’d like to return to the days of the four food groups.