Keys To Healthy Eating For The Socially Aware

Excluding war, extreme poverty, famine, medical direction, or idiocy, people generally change their diets to increase the length and / or quality of their life.  In so doing, however, they must be careful not to starve out the other people on the planet.

My Plate Food Plan (U.S.)

The U.S. Government recommends that its citizens consume between 1,600 and 3,200 calories of food each day.  The 3,200 max calorie diet is expected to include nutrients from the five food groups – fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy – with 50% of each meal comprised of fruits and vegetables. The ‘my plate’ strategy, as it is called, promises to assist eaters in achieving a healthy eating routine; it boasts that the food options presented are rich in nutrients.

Alternative Meal Plans

Although the plan is well researched and credible, not all would be adopters subscribe to the diet plan.  There are alternative meal plans like the vegan and paleo diets that yield tangible benefits to diners such as weight management, lower blood pressure, and Improved cholesterol balance.

In addition to these dietary regimens, there are individuals and institutions espousing the benefits of “superfoods”.  The “superfoods” are said to, “power-pack your meals and snacks, and further enhance a healthy eating pattern”.

Market Impact

Together, these meal plans provide Americans with multiple options for starting or maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  However, it does not address the impact of American eating habits on the global community.

Since the U.S. is increasingly outsources its foods from other nations, fluctuations in American eating habits can impact the global food industry.  Consider, for example, a small country like the Philippines.  “Rice is typically eaten at every meal and provides the largest share of the average Filipino’s caloric intake.”  A kilo of rice (2.2 pounds) costs approximately $1 U.S.  With an average family size of 4 to 5 people, average upper middle monthly family income of $849.82, and average monthly rent of $660, a slight increase in demand on the U.S. side could make rice unaffordable for low-income Philippine citizens. (Individuals may find themselves priced out of the market with an average monthly income of $78.13.)

Note: The aforementioned scenario does not account for the decreases in supply or the impact of natural disasters.

Synopsis

This is not to say that everything that transpires in someone else’s country is your personal responsibility.  Nevertheless, we should remain mindful that our economies do not operate in a vacuum.  A dietary fad in one country may yield deleterious effects in another.

What do you think?