04/11/2020
We like to idolize and demonize most things. We crave affirmation that what we believe in is universally correct. An example can easily be found in those idolizing their favourite sports team, whilst demonizing that team’s bitter rival. Yet, if put into non-emotional, neutral context, both teams are merely trying to beat each other by the same means.
We idolize some foods because we believe them to be ‘better’ for us - we want affirmation that our consumption is correct. We demonize other foods because we believe they are ‘worse’ for us - we want affirmation that consuming these foods is incorrect. But in isolation, no food is correct or incorrect, it’s just different.
In this example we have avocado on brown bread and Nutella on white bread. The former is often idolized, whilst the latter is usually demonised or associated with guilt. Yet in this example, consumption of the former means enjoyment, more nutrients and fibre, but also more calories. Whereas consumption of the latter means enjoyment, less nutrients and fibre, but in this example, significantly fewer calories.
Therefore the avocado toast may be a good idea if the goal is to consume more nutrients and potentially enhance satiety, but the Nutella toast may support calorie reduction as it is fewer in calories. These outcomes ultimately depend on overall dietary intake.
Sometimes our unwillingness to consider what we don’t believe in (known as confirmation bias) take us away from what is actually true. Believing foods to be good or bad without inserting overall context is to digress from what matters most. Eating any food should be an enjoyable process. But it should be done in a place where feelings of ‘good or bad’ are replaced with context, reality and ease.
When a sports team scores a goal against our team, the other supporters celebrate whilst we despair. But the neutral supporter appreciates the goal for its non-emotional worth. Our beliefs in food should be no different. 🙏
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