Be careful what you put in your mouth.

I hoped that would catch you, I have an important topic I think everyone should take a solid minute to think long and hard about. It’s about YOU. (Just take 1 minute.)

You are what you eat. A simple concept that never seemed to really stick with me. But why? It makes absolute sense. You eat crap, you feel like crap, you start to look like crap. You eat well, you feel better, you look better, you have more energy and eventually stop caring for the crap. ( I promise, the urges will go away! )

Just about a week ago, Travis and I watched the documentary Food Inc. for the first time. The idea is along the lines of “Supersize Me”. However, I remember watching Supersize Me in my freshman health class and, for as gruesome as it was, it really wasn’t going to turn me off McDonalds. Why should I have let it? I liked McDonalds and I felt fine in compromising with its effects because I didn’t eat it on a regular basis and never Supersized! You know fast food is bad for you. But do you really understand why? Do you really know what is in everything you eat, where it comes from, and how it was treated?

Food Inc. breaks down things we eat, literally, all day every day. And the worst part, we don’t even know what we’re doing to ourselves. 

Let’s put it this way. Imagine all the foods you love to eat. How many of those things are packaged? How many of those things are so called “Natural” and “Organic” for those of you think you’re trying to eat wiser? How much of it is fast food? Imagine finding out that they are all packed with a small amount of POISON. Every time you eat one of these things, the poisons are slowly building up in your body but you endure no immediate effects really. Do you frequently have an extreme craving for such foods? That’s the point. And the effects on your own health WILL BE detrimental. 

(Longer than a minute, I know. If you’ve made it this far, just keep it up I’m almost done with my ramble and I sure hope it has a positive effect on you.)

My point is there are so many secrets within the food industry that you wouldn’t even think about or maybe don’t even want to know. But the truth is, if you’re experiencing effects of poor nutrition whether it be in weight gain, health problems, or even in suffering through some of your own family members that have an addiction to unhealthy foods, like someone I love… why wouldn’t you want to make an effort to change something so monumental that will effect your EVERY DAY life until the day you die. (Which could be a lot sooner than you think, if you don’t try.)

I want to help. 1 in 3 Americans born after 2000 with contract early onset type 2 diabetes. 1 in 3. That’s at LEAST 33%. I bet it might be more. Which scares me because 4 of my nephews and nieces were born after 2000. 1 of them could have diabetes because no one would teach them about their own bodies and nutrition. Do you understand how all of these health problems affect peoples’ lives? You might not… until you’re the one affected.

What I can’t understand is why this isn’t a more important subject. All it takes is the knowledge, the understanding, the will power, and the want and NEED FOR CHANGE.

I’ll begin at a later date with ways for change. But for now, maybe you’d like to at least check out the Food Inc. movie (which I saw at Flagler Winn Dixxie for $4.99) or their website (http://www.foodincmovie.com.) Sorry no link activated.

Until then, let this stew in you a bit and be careful what you put in your mouth.

Just so you know, change is absolutely and 100% POSSIBLE. Let it begin with you.