I started thinking about which direction I wanted to take this blog, which is why it has taken me so long to get it started. Having never written a blog before, particularly on the broad topic of Food and Nutrition, I found myself daydreaming about the endless possibilities of what to write about. How exactly to you talk about food and nutrition without realizing the systemic and comprehensive nature of this topic? How am I supposed to focus on only one aspect of an issue when it affects so many other things, directly and indirectly? That’s what makes it so interesting! Particularly in the way we, as nutrition students, have been ‘bred’ as critical thinkers here at Ryerson. For example, the old phrase came to mind, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Something this simple made about various questions and comments that demonstrate the complex nature of nutrition and food…
- What about the apple is it that keeps the doctor away? Are we talking about nutritional content and how it produces a cascade of beneficial physiological events that prevent us from getting ill?
- Is there a certain kind of apple we should be eating? Are some types of apples better than others?
- Does eating an apple every day keep the doctor away for everyone?
- But what if I don’t like apples… can I drink apple juice instead?
- How about eating apples every second day… will that still help me?
- Is the apple organic or just regular?
- Does everyone have equal access to these apples? Is an apple affordable for everyone?
- Is it a sustainable practice to prescribe an apple everyday?
- I don’t even know what an apple is…
- I don’t really identify with an apple… can I choose an orange instead?
- In my culture/cuisine we don’t eat apples… How can you expect me to eat one every day?
- There is this new diet book called, “The Upside Down Apple Diet”, where if I eat the apple upside down, I will lose 20 pounds in a month!
- I think you get the picture…
You might think of this as either being a bit overboard or as just normal for that critical thinker. I find it amazing how extensive our field is. I know I am preaching to the choir here, but I’m looking forward to writing about rather than stewing over it in my head.
An apple isn’t just an apple anymore… I’m really looking forward to hearing about your apples!
- What about the apple is it that keeps the doctor away? Are we talking about nutritional content and how it produces a cascade of beneficial physiological events that prevent us from getting ill?
- Is there a certain kind of apple we should be eating? Are some types of apples better than others?
- Does eating an apple every day keep the doctor away for everyone?
- But what if I don’t like apples… can I drink apple juice instead?
- How about eating apples every second day… will that still help me?
- Is the apple organic or just regular?
- Does everyone have equal access to these apples? Is an apple affordable for everyone?
- Is it a sustainable practice to prescribe an apple everyday?
- I don’t even know what an apple is…
- I don’t really identify with an apple… can I choose an orange instead?
- In my culture/cuisine we don’t eat apples… How can you expect me to eat one every day?
- There is this new diet book called, “The Upside Down Apple Diet”, where if I eat the apple upside down, I will lose 20 pounds in a month!
- I think you get the picture…
You might think of this as either being a bit overboard or as just normal for that critical thinker. I find it amazing how extensive our field is. I know I am preaching to the choir here, but I’m looking forward to writing about rather than stewing over it in my head.
An apple isn’t just an apple anymore… I’m really looking forward to hearing about your apples!
I agree with you! It is definitely interesting to think about all of the different nutritional claims out there. It seems anyone who considers themselves knowledgeable on a certain nutrition topic is now an expert who is fit to write a book and guide other people. The phrase "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" is one that means something different to each person and I think you showed some good examples of this!
ReplyDeleteAs someone who often takes the 'Devil's Advocate' stance, I can relate. I find nutrition frustrating sometimes because there isn't always an answer; in fact there hardly ever is an answer! With so many sociocultural issues, and varied interpretations it can be frustrating to not have 1 clear way of knowing.
ReplyDeleteAs for nutrition books, there are too many to count and while some are authored by well respected nutrition experts, others are authored by a mere famous face. I think its part of our challenge to steer people to the best available information, while maintaining a bias-free stance!