Better Food vs. Less Food

I had an interesting conversation over dinner last night. We were comparing food regulations in the United States vs. other developed countries when it comes to commercial agriculture, farming, distribution, etc.

While I concede that the United States has under par standards, I made the argument that most developed countries don’t have the conundrum of feeding upwards of three-hundred million mouths (under the pretense that ever mouth is fed each day).

I argue that being overweight presents a much greater risk than the hormones, steroids, and pesticides that are in our meats and vegetables.

As a nation we don’t grasp what healthy weights truly are and how significant a 5-lb increase in weight (excluding muscle gain) can be. I’m sitting at here at 200 lbs. Granted, I may look like I could use a few gym sessions, no one would call me “fat.” Truth being, I’m 30 pounds overweight in accordance to the BMI index for my height (5’10”). I’m 4.5 lbs from being clinically obese.

As for steroids in red meats, we shouldn’t be eating as much red meat as we do. I’m guilty as the next guy. I absolutely love red meat, but it’s not the greatest thing for you if eaten frequently and in the portions it’s normally served in.

Our lack of standards for commercial agriculture and farming is not the culprit for our nations health problems. We eat too damn much crap. I’d rather be an ideal weight and eat pesticide-laden veggies and steriod-injected tenderloin in moderation than be 40 pounds overweight eating range-free eggs and organic prime rib.

This has been a little motivation piece for myself. I’m trying to lose 20 lbs. this months. I’m giving up drinking so that I can quit smoking so I can get beyond the 6-mile mark on my runs. It’s been 4 days and it’s been quite nice. Not too excited to miss National Beaner Day, but I guess the rice, beans, and Corona can wait ‘til Cinco de Junio!

Happy Cinco de Mayo fools,

stillz