A conversation on TED.com: What are we supposed to eat?

Tibor V. Varga
Malmö
Sweden

PhD student, Lund University

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What are we supposed to eat?

Are we omnivores or herbivores? Are the recommended always the better choice? What about fats, oils, butter and margarine? Who should we listen to? What is wrong with vegetarianism?

And many more...

Any comments are appreciated, feel free to scratch the surface!

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Silvia Marinova 20+
- 0
Jan 5 2012: I eat what I feel like at the moment when I'm hungry. It's important to enjoy your food.
Cooking isn't everyone's cup of tea but if you like it that helps to eat what you want.
I think your body tells you in the best way what it needs. :)
Thomas Anderson
- +1
Jan 3 2012: I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW THE ANSWER to your question! We have millions of diet experts, nutritionists, doctors, but it seems people know less about what we really need for nutritional purposes. I think nutrition should be an EXACT science.

If I have a bunch of cells repairing, and one needs an extra atom of iron, it should get it!

Thanks for letting me ramble. I can't stand all the waste, and my big waist. RDA is not specific enough. We have so much technology now, that with a complete DNA analysis, and Biochemical analysis, a professional should be able to tell me whether or not I need a banana right now, or an apple, or okra: and the EXACT amount. (Not just what I feel like eating)
- Karina Eisner 10+
  - 0
  Jan 4 2012: You just read my mind :-)
  
  I came across food combining yesterday, yet again a different recipe for the "right" way to eat, and was pulling my hair just imagining how to make sense of breakfast.
  
  Please, someone tell us the truth!
  
  No, not you, the Beef Association. Not you, Farmers Inc. Not you, Monsanto-I-own-all-the-world's-food. And certainly not you, FDA!
Tibor V. Varga
- 0
Jan 3 2012: Thanks for your comments!

I agree with you, you should eat whatever your body needs, of course with moderation... And caring about your current health status and your risks.

I prefer eating fresh foods, cooking for my own. I like to make my portions, know how much I eat and how much money do I spend on food. I like to fully control the quality of my life on many levels - on of the most basic level is what kind of foods do I eat and how.

I like to fight FOR food. Real food - as Michael Pollan wrote in his great book In Defense of Food - read it if you are interested in the topic. We should eat what our ancestors called food, we should try to avoid processed food (if we can) and we should sacrifice time for real lunches and dinners - a food is always more that it's nutrients sum. The food starts from the ingredients, but the best way to consume it is with people - not alone in your car for instance.

With few basic rules we can control our food and our lifestyle - it's no big effort.
Karina Eisner 10+
- 0
Dec 31 2011: Food for thought: gather your friends and watch documentaries... Food Inc., Super Size Me, The Future of Food, King Corn, Killer at Large, Fresh, Plastic Planet, Food Fight...

And, if you want something good for dessert, go to the Fresh website (http://www.freshthemovie.com/) and get into action. As simple as adding your name to a petition against GM food=Monsanto, and you'll feel so much better.
- Tibor V. Varga
  - +1
  Jan 3 2012: Thanks Karina for your comment!
  
  These films carry a really valuable lesson for each of us in deed.
  Although I didn't have time to watch the FRESH film, I read the synopsis and I am happy that there are people out there who care about advertising the importance of fresh food.
  
  About GM food - this is another huge debate with many controversial facts - I personally don't think that humanity can survive without the spreading of GM products. There are some really big mistakes with uncontrolled labs and products but we really need quality research concerning new GMOs - we will have a huge disaster in few years without them.
Jane Therese Losaria
- 0
Dec 30 2011: i've always wanted to switch to vegetarianism, but it is easier said than done, shame on me. i am addicted to dairy products. and like any other addiction i guess i have to go through a process that defines this addiction. I read an article that says "Meat is killing our planet", people for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) , the Humane Society and other groups, are pointing fingers at what we’re eating. They argue that the meat industry is more detrimental to our environment than any other practice we engage in. the U.N Food and Agriculture Organization issued a report stating that the livestock business generates more greenhouse gas emissions than all forms of transportation combined.
Stanna Wieclawska
- +1
Dec 30 2011: Following years of food intolerance, I have switched to a non-processed, fresh food diet (without dairy food and gluten) which although a total pain to start with has eolved into a pain free and HEALTHY lifestyle - most importantly free of cancer and with lower cholesterol. I totally agree with Jamie's sentiments about education being the key. We have been manipulated by fast food corporations and food manufacturers into an addiction that takes months and years to control (note I say control and not conquer - I still crave processed foods). Financial incentives and backing to politicians and corporate financiers is our greatest hurdle as we al know money talks. BUT we must all take responsibility for the worldwide problem of obesity. Students are only as good as their teachers. We must take an active responisibility to educate and ultimately feed our children - the next generation - with healthy, sustainable foods. Their food choices are our responsibility to teach, be we parents, teachers, friends,family, peers or work associates.
Mary Adam
- 0
Dec 30 2011: I guess the most happy things are
spend time with family and friends,
eat your favorite foods,
visit the places you love.

There's nothing wrong with eating whatever you like,
but you should just slowly phase out the really deplorable stuff, like junk food.

Good health and happy to you.
Christy Caputo
- 0
Dec 30 2011: Its actually simple...if you want it eat it. I believe it was Julia Child that said... "everything in moderation, including moderation"!

Listen to your body and if your body doesn't like what you eat then don't eat it. If your body doesn't argue then eat away!

Now saying that, if you are diabetic or have high cholesterol or heart disease...eat what you should for your health. But if you are a healthy person, moderate exercise and see your doctor on a regular basis...I say go for it! Eat whatever you crave!

Enjoy!