Along the Same Lines...

If you're curious about the new federal food and exercise recommendations, read the entire article "Please Pass the Cake" by Sandy Szwarc of TCS. It's fascinating, and links to all sorts of industry, news, and health data I hadn't considered before. Here's a money quote:

It goes without saying that these "guidelines" discount any pleasurable benefits of foods or their equally important and healthful emotional, social and cultural value. Nor does it teach balance and moderation. Making food something to fear and micromanage isn't nourishing or sustainable.

You may think that my admiration for this article is in conflict with my posting yesterday, but it's not: again, I feel strongly that "bad-for-you" food should still be legal (as I do with cigarettes and alcohol, for example). But I think the government could make better inroads with regards to a nation eating better by making high-fat, high-caloric foods cost a little more, which again, should result in lower prices for low-fat, low-caloric foods (something will still have to fit the 99 cent niche, natch.) Then instead of guilting people into eating better (which results in rebound and rebellion, the reason many diets which help you lose five pounds ultimately make you gain ten), you're making better eating choices naturally, out of sheer financial sense and practicality.