It's time to have a whinge.
Shopping at a supermarket today, I realised that my need to buy items from the shelves of our major chains is becoming increasingly less as my knowledge of food and cooking gets stronger.
Only a year or so ago, the supermarket was the FIRST place I would head when I needed to buy food or food like items. We are born into a civilised world of major businesses and packaged foods as a staple and it becomes hard to see any other way. After all...if we want to live, we need to it. Nowadays, I look to local farmers markets and health food stores and supermarkets have been bumped down the list.
Eating SHOULD NOT be something we need to think outside the box for, or actually have to TRY to accomplish. Unfortunately the typical westernised style of shopping and eating has made it increasingly difficult to simply eat FOOD.
When I say 'food' i'm talking about things that grow in the ground, on trees and things that will rot and die when picked or farmed. Things that don't contain more than one ingredient that is themselves and things that don't require a "shelf-life" as a guide to its freshness. I understand that its hard, I struggle trying to fit uni, living out of home, playing in a band AND feeding myself so my aim here is not to tell people how they SHOULD be purchasing or eating...but more to challenge peoples methods and thoughts about acquiring food.
I have slowly realised that eating well is SIMPLE. It only seems confusing because of all the marketing and boxed products that huge companies are pumping out to make a dollar. So when you next hit the shops, think about the following:
1. Companies DO NOT have our best health in mind. As much as i'd love to believe the opposite, unfortunately making a dollar will always come first. We can all relate to this. The ingredients inside those boxes and flavoured items may or may not be hurting us (some proven, some aren't) but the simple fact is this: If there is no nutritional requirement for a substance, it has no place in your body.
2. Shop the EDGES. Author Michael Pollan taught me this one. When you hit the supermarket next...do a quick lap around the outside edge of the shop. 9 times out of 10 you will find Fruit, Veg, Dairy & Meat. By all means venture in to get rice, pasta, herbs & spices etc. but take note...the edges is where the real food is.
3. You DON'T HAVE TO BE THERE. I know its massive in Australia, America, the UK etc...but many traditional cultures still obtain the majority of their food from markets. Not only are you most likely meeting the people who grew this food but you're also avoiding the ridiculous amount of hands, kilometers and who knows what else they supermarket produce has been through. Its easy, you can get everything from other places.
Only a few simple points, but I firmly believe that an important step on the journey to health is just to start THINKING. Do I have to get this product here or not? Ask yourself that question and chances are the answer is no.
