In an ideal world, each of us would eat sensible meals, complete with the right balance of nutrients to promote good health. We would avoid overeating and maintain slim waistlines.
As we all know, however, that ideal is not reality. We don’t always eat right – not by a long shot.
But it would be a mistake to blame poor eating habits on restaurants or grocery stores. After all, those businesses respond to public demand for goods and services. If they sell unhealthful selections, it is because “we, the people” choose those foods.
As a spokeswoman for a chain of fast-food restaurants recently told McClatchy Newspapers, “If we wanted to listen to the food police and sell nuts and berries and tofu burgers, we wouldn’t make any money and we’d be out of business.”
So if we want to change our eating habits, we should look not at the companies that sell us what we ask for, but at ourselves for asking for it.