Food: the enemy?

As usual, I should be studying right now. But you know, when inspiration strikes... anyways, I've been trying to get in shape lately, and eat healthier, so I've been reading and such to find out what I should do. What everyone seems to be telling me is that food is evil and anything that tastes good should be avoided. Not only this, but it almost seems that if we do enjoy food, then we're doing something wrong, which makes me sad.

It's not food itself that's evil, it's what we do to it and how we eat it. Every food has a basis in nature, it's just that we take it and batter, fry it, and wrap it in bacon until it's unrecognizable. Somewhere along the way, man discovered that a cheap way of adding flavor was through oil and butter, and we haven't looked back. But now, we're also incredibly aware of how horrible these things are for our bodies. So when I see mozzarella sticks, my first thought is "Get in my belly", but then I think of how much exercise I'll have to do to work it off. However, fresh mozzarella in and of itself is not a bad thing to eat, in moderation of course. Most people here wouldn't even recognize fresh buffalo mozzarella though; we think of fried cheese instead. We do this with almost everything that starts out completely healthy. Zucchini turns into fried zucchini sticks, coffee beans turn into peppermint mocha frappacinos, and even salads turn into ranch, cheese, and bacon disasters.

Something I read did strike a cord with me; it's that the simpler the food is, the healthier it is. The less ingredients, the better. So many products we buy have SO MANY ingredients in them. If you look at a can of soup, it will list completely different things than if you just made the soup yourself. Not to mention that it'll taste better AND be healthier. Who would've thought healthy and yummy could be used at the same time?

One of the things I learned in Europe was to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables. There, they are so cheap and plentiful, and you felt better for eating them. I've tried to bring this habit back with me, although it's not quite as cheap here. But I for sure feel better after eating a salad (a real salad, not a cheese/ranch crapsalad) rather than a Big Mac and fries. Also, when you really enjoy your food, you'll eat slower, and therefore not as much.

This is the main point, I think. We've taken the enjoyment out of eating. We eat either out of convenience or just for survival. We don't cook, sit down, and enjoy a good dinner with good company. We're too busy, too tired, etc. I think this is really a big loss for society, as eating is one of the pleasures that God has given us. Obviously, we shouldn't be gluttonous, but we can enjoy fresh foods in moderation. We shouldn't spend our time dwelling on calories and "a moment on the lips; a lifetime on the hips".. If you're eating fresh food, it shouldn't be a big deal.

Not that you shouldn't treat yourself sometimes... that's why we're always feeling guilty, because we've put such a label on sweets, fatty foods etc. I think you should eat them sometimes. It's about mentality. I've found that since changing my diet, I feel healthier, thinner, and in a better mood. Which makes me not want to eat fatty crap, actually. It's not to say that I never crave Taco Bell or Zaxby's, and when I do, I eat it. It's not such a taboo to me anymore, which lessens my desire for it.

I'm no health expert, that's for sure. I can't even begin to lecture about exercise, because I really struggle to make myself do it. But I will say that I feel better when I do. Mostly, I just wish our mentality towards food would change. It's not the enemy, it's not trying to get you. It's tasty and meant to be enjoyed. Just enjoy responsibly.

xoxo