Do People Really Want “Healthy Foods”?
August 23rd, 2005 by Y.G.It had been a few days already that I had read this article on the Washingtonpost.com, when it got published, but I just couldn’t get it out of my head. While I’d indeed prefer blog about how to put more healthy foods into our diets, how to exercise properly and how things are perfect when we finally lose weight, I can’t feel but a tad bit disheartened at reading this:
But diners didn’t bite. So Ruby Tuesday has eliminated the Blueberry D’Lite, along with several other healthful dishes ditched after a lengthy period of slumping sales at the chain. Calorie and fat information was dropped except on the healthful items that survived and were moved to the back of the menu.
Now the chain is aggressively promoting its biggest burgers, and in the last three months, burger sales are up 3 to 4 percent. It has also restored its larger portions of french fries and pasta.
Is this really the truth? Are things so imperfect in this world that people demand “healthy foods”, then just go on eating the crappy ones as if said good foods didn’t exist? Sure, I can see that on the rare times I go to a McDonald’s here—salads really aren’t the most ordered item. It just seems so… well, yes, disheartening is the word.
It makes me feel like the majority of people just ask for healthy foods to feel good about themselves, that having it available magically reduces all risks of seeing cholesterol levels rise and fat grow on our hips. “It’s the intention that counts”, and similar witty excuses. Perhaps it’s indeed just that: we want to feel like we made the effort, without actually making it. It’s like dieting mistakes, in a way: we persuade ourselves that we’re doing “everything we need to do”, while moaning that the weight doesn’t budge, and one day we realize that during all that time, we had barely been exercising, had been snacking here and there, and not really doing things “seriously”. I know, I’ve been there, and I’m going to be there again at times.
So I’m really wondering: why are things this way?
Once again, it looks like we’re on our own in this. If we want healthy foods, we must make the effort, and probably force ourselves a little depending on the moments. We can’t count on any industry, the way they sway according to what the consumers want. Consumers want to eat crappy foods, so the vaguely healthy ones get removed. Yes, we’re really on our own here.
