Eating Is An “Ethical Statement?”
Ideas to weigh less – to live life more.
An old friend dropped by the other day. She’s changed a lot over the years. Led a very interesting life, with more than her share of challenges along the way.
She just got back from a trip to Asia and the Middle-East. Her previous trip was to Africa.
As we gathered in the kitchen to prepare a light lunch together, and mixed up a bunch of our mutual old-time favorite snacks, she said,
“You know, the food we eat is an ethical statement. What we eat, or don’t eat. If we over-eat. How our food is packaged. Where our food comes from. Who grows it. How it is grown and prepared. These are all ethical statements.”
Now, days later, I’ve had some time to contemplate what she said. It really made me think:
“Eating is an ethical statement.” Is it? What do you think?
Would “ethically eating” make your day lighter?
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-by Boyd Jentzsch
Boyd, a recovering Attorney, turned to weight loss research 20 years ago when he lost his mother to the lifelong effects of obesity. He has spent the ensuing years searching the science, and formulating a comprehensive metabolic map of the body — the only complete map of its kind. The map reveals the causes and effects of obesity and related chronic lifestyle diseases. It shows the only proven pathways to preventing and losing excess weight. From that unique foundation, he and his team created a weight loss education program that has helped tens of thousands to lose weight and keep it off. Plus, they created innovative and fun fitness and nutrition education programs for elementary school children, proven to reduce the early bio-markers for childhood obesity. HEART PLAN is a collection of his observations over the years of the emotional impact and motivational challenges nearly everyone faces when trying to keep lost weight off permanently.
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Everything we eat or spend money on makes a statement about what we believe and who we support. It’s always worth thinking about before you make that purchase.
I definitely think before I purchase, and read what’s in it. It takes me longer when I shop now, but I’m much healthier and so is my hubby! Thanks for sharing!
I do agree that just about everything we do is an ethical statement. However, in many instances it is difficult to deal with it all.
Statement or not I just eat what I want. Life is too short to worry about what others think.
Yes, if you think about it – it is. Just that not many people would care about it as long as they eat, lol
I don’t know if it would make my day lighter–but I can see what your friend means. When someone is vegan, eats locally grown, or opts for organic, loves meat, indulges is exotic imports, or eats whatever is on sale–it a lll says something about them.
Wow, I’d never thought of eating as an ethical statement, but you’re right. When I overeat, I make an impulsive, uncontrolled impression.
Well, it certainly could be. Especially if it’s stating how very conscious you are about what you’re eating.
I usually eat whatever I feel like at the moment and most of the time I feel fine. It’s however a very interesting thought and probably very true
Very interesting, I never thought about it until now. What a great point!
I’m with everyone else. What you do in general makes an ethical statement of what type of person you are. I know, I know every ingredient that goes in my body. I’m a lot healthier now, since I read and try not to put too much process food in my body. Thanks for making us think about health in a new light.
Hmm, never thought about it like that before. Something to think about, thank you.
I agree. I don’t believe in compartmentalization – how you do anything is how you do everything!
I have heard so much about Heart Plan I think more people will be aware of it. Should be. Who wants to leave their loved ones behind? Not me!
I think that everyone has their own sets of ethics. What upsets one person may not upset the other.
Eating is absolutely ethical but we’re so detached to the process of making food and because of that, many of us are not making ethical decisions.
To tell the truth, I’ve never given thought to eating as an ethical decision, but I guess it could be considered so. thanks for sharing a different view point-got me thinking
Don’t know if I would go so far as say it is an ethical statement. But it does say a lot about us.
It takes me forever to grocery shop now that I read ALL labels and ingredients. But I don’t mind at all…it’s sure worth it. Great point you made here!!!
Anything we buy or consume has some kind of ‘ethical’ value attached to it. Up to the individual of course to place a value on it. You could be a vegan, vegetarian, locovore, etc.
Interesting topic. I don’t necessarily (ever) do anything to make a statement. 😉 I usually eat because I am hungry, not to make an ethical statement. 😉
I have horrible eating habits but I am trying so hard to improve them.
I’m honestly not really sure. I don’t think it makes any statement other than you wanting to eat it lol
Ethical? That’s an interesting way to see eating. Can’t say that has ever crossed my mind. I just love food/eating.
Eating in some point can define us and our lifestyle so sometimes I think that there are individuals who see this as an ethical statement in order to motivate weight loss. But many would say you only live once so eat and have a happy tummy!
I try to eat well most of the time. I shop at Whole Foods when my wallet allows it but I have my lazy days too when a bowl of sugary cereal hits the spot.
Everything we do has an ethics component. The problem with “ethics” is that you have to decide by whose ethics you’re going to measure. One feels it’s ethical to wear fur and another says it’s an abomination…who is right? Vegans think it’s unethical to eat any meat, etc.
Why throwing “ethics” into the mix creates better motivation for weight loss I don’t understand. Unless the idea is that it’s unethical to be overweight which opens up a whole different can of worms.