A singular American health anecdote alongside all this well-researched and rich data you've mined and parsed... I grew up in the 60s and 70s in a household whose kitchen was stocked with canned vegetables and soups; Screaming Yellow Zonkers, Ho-Hos, and Ding-Dongs; jello "salads"; and the emerging modern convenience of packaged quick meals like Hamburger Helper. Iceberg lettuce was our primary fresh food. From the time I started learning to cook at 7, I innately knew this was wrong, and was drawn to real, whole foods. I spent my babysitting money on fresh vegetables and fruit. Fortunately, by the time I was a teen I was allowed to cook most of our meals-- whatever I wanted if I provided a grocery list. Fast forward 50 years-- no blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or cholesterol pharmaceuticals. I've consistently maintained my high school weight. Most importantly, I feel about the same as I did when I was in my early forties. Essentially, I live like my grandparents did regarding diet, and it has mattered. These habits have successfully been transferred to my three children, who in their late 30s- mid 40s are quite healthy, too, and now down to grandchildren who cook alongside their mama.
I’m a child of the 60’s. I was there for the invention of the ‘TV Dinner’ - a complete mean on a metal tray you threw into the oven. Fortunately, my mother would never dare serve something to her children that came in a box. But many of my generation weren’t so luck. Hence, the significant chronic conditions today. Thanks for being here Pam and thank you for being an active reader.
A very interesting read and the logic of ‘compared to what’ is excellent. Something I’ve only realised recently and hit home particularly when looking at health was the line ‘the books were written to sell books. But the studies were written to find out.’
One of the most significant barriers to a ‘good’ retirement, is the prevelance of chronic health conditions hitting my generation, from decades of processed foods which arrived in the 50s and 60’s. I’m so glad my parents refused to go for ‘convenience’.
A singular American health anecdote alongside all this well-researched and rich data you've mined and parsed... I grew up in the 60s and 70s in a household whose kitchen was stocked with canned vegetables and soups; Screaming Yellow Zonkers, Ho-Hos, and Ding-Dongs; jello "salads"; and the emerging modern convenience of packaged quick meals like Hamburger Helper. Iceberg lettuce was our primary fresh food. From the time I started learning to cook at 7, I innately knew this was wrong, and was drawn to real, whole foods. I spent my babysitting money on fresh vegetables and fruit. Fortunately, by the time I was a teen I was allowed to cook most of our meals-- whatever I wanted if I provided a grocery list. Fast forward 50 years-- no blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or cholesterol pharmaceuticals. I've consistently maintained my high school weight. Most importantly, I feel about the same as I did when I was in my early forties. Essentially, I live like my grandparents did regarding diet, and it has mattered. These habits have successfully been transferred to my three children, who in their late 30s- mid 40s are quite healthy, too, and now down to grandchildren who cook alongside their mama.
I’m a child of the 60’s. I was there for the invention of the ‘TV Dinner’ - a complete mean on a metal tray you threw into the oven. Fortunately, my mother would never dare serve something to her children that came in a box. But many of my generation weren’t so luck. Hence, the significant chronic conditions today. Thanks for being here Pam and thank you for being an active reader.
A very interesting read and the logic of ‘compared to what’ is excellent. Something I’ve only realised recently and hit home particularly when looking at health was the line ‘the books were written to sell books. But the studies were written to find out.’
One of the most significant barriers to a ‘good’ retirement, is the prevelance of chronic health conditions hitting my generation, from decades of processed foods which arrived in the 50s and 60’s. I’m so glad my parents refused to go for ‘convenience’.