Food Journal Observations

Looking over the food posts, I noticed some interesting trends. On the weekends, the meals seemed to be dispersed (more snacking than actual set meals). There was a line between the healthy eaters and the non-healthy eater, not much in between. There were also specific trends each day: if someone had cereal for breakfast they had it everyday for breakfast, similar with omelets. What people drank throughout the day seemed to vary. Everything from water to soda to Vitamin Water.  I have skim milk for every meal; coming to college was a shock when none of my friends drank milk unless it was with cereal. Overall, people displayed the same trends everyday.

Food Journal

Monday May 7^th

9:00 a.m.- Wheat toast with peanut butter; Bowl of raisin bran with skim milk

12:30 p.m. Jicama roll; Glass skim milk

3:00 p.m.- Pb&j on wheat toast

6:00 p.m.- Scrambled eggs; 2 pancakes; Potatoes; Glass of skim milk

Tuesday May 8^th

9:00 a.m. - Omelet with spinach, tomatoes, olives, and ham; Glass of skim milk; Hash browns and bread with raspberries

12:00 p.m.- ½ sandwich with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and ham; Peaches; Chips; Glass of skim milk

4:30 p.m.- Nature Valley oats and honey granola bar

6:00 p.m. - Slice of turkey; Sweet Potato; Cupcake; Glass of skim milk

9:30 p.m.- Dried apricots

Wednesday May 9^th

9:00 a.m.- Whole wheat toast with creamy peanut butter; Bowl of raisin bran with skim milk; Small croissant; Hot tea

12:00 p.m.- Bowl of rice crispies; Glass of skim milk; Part of chicken flatbread

3:00 p.m. - Green tea; Pb&j

6:00 p.m.- Pasta with red sauce; Glass of skim milk

9:00 p.m. - Chicken taco with lettuce, tomato, and rice

Honeybees Making Dinner

Every day people make decisions over food: what to eat, where to buy it, and how to eat it. Most of the time I eat food unknowing of where it came from or its production process. A recent meal I had (Sodexo’s options in the dining hall were unappealing) was honey toast: toasted oat nut bread spread over with gooey honey. This simple ingredient I use in baking, spreading over biscuits, or mixing in tea to soothe a soar throat. In ancient times, this natural sweetener was “the symbol of wealth and happiness” (Horn 2). Since then, honey has been found in various industries including food, pharmaceutical, dental, and cosmetics. Honey has a very unique line of production and history that was started millions of years ago.

Honey bees evolved 130 million years ago in Godwana: a single land mass consisting of present continents India, Africa, South America, Antarctica, and Australia. Ten million years later, honeybees acquired to the ability collect pollen and nectar by certain features such as longer tongues, pollen baskets, fuzziness of the skin, and colonies to store materials. Freezing temperatures thirty million years ago, during the Oligocene-Miocene period, caused the extinction of the European honeybees; the Indo-European honeybees survived and began to reproduce and speciate. Honeybees come from the tribe Apinin, and are the last living member. In the early 1900s, tracheal mites were destroying the beehives of Apis mellifera (branch of Apinin) in Europe. The United States passed a Honey Bee Restriction Act in 1992 to protect Apis mellifera in the US; by 1980, tracheal mites had migrated to the United States, eventually killing off 50-80% of American bee colonies (NYT).

In the 19^th century four inventions sparked beekeeping as an economically successful industry; they include the smoker, comb foundation maker, moveable-frame hive, and honey extractor. These inventions are still being used today but have been modified since their appearance. In early times, the entire colony of bees was destroyed when honey was harvested. In the late 18^th century Thomas Wildman invented ways to prevent the killing of bees when harvesting their honey. He attached parallel bars across the hive to increase amount of surface area bees can attach their comb to. His inventions led to the current movable comb hives: a frame can slide out without harming the bees or the eggs. Modern beekeeping includes the use of movable frame hives, top-bar hives, and protective clothing for the beekeepers. All of these inventions have been modified over the years adapting to benefit both the bees and the amount of production.

Inside of the hive, nectar undergoes physical and chemical changes to create honey. The nectar is “gathered by honeybees from flowers to feed the bee colony” (Nicholls and Miraglio 2003). There are two different types of bees: field bees and house bees. Field bees bring nectar they store in a honey sac to the hive. Inside the beehive, house bees receive the nectar and inject enzymes into it, breaking down sucrose into fructose and glucose. The house bees extract water from the nectar converting it into honey. This process is done through physical and chemical changes. The nectar starts out as 70% water, and finishes as honey with 20% water composition. To eliminate water, the honeybees eat and regurgitate the nectar, producing honey. Once the honey is produced it must be collected from the hive by a beekeeper.

Most honey gathering happens at night when bees are less active. A torch is inserted into the hive, scaring the bees to the back. Wearing a protective suit, a beekeeper reaches his hand into the hive to collect the honey. Even through this suit, beekeepers are not repellent to their stings; they must accept this slight discomfort when starting this job.

Honey types vary in their composition, flavor, and color—the boldest flavors are in the darkest honeys. The nectar source gives the greatest variety of composition among honeys. There are over three hundred floral sources in the world. The make-up of honey is 38% fructose; 31% glucose; 17% water; and 13% disaccharides, trisaccharides, and oligosaccharides. A small percentage includes vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, minerals, phytochemicals, and organic acids. Even though honey is largely composed of sugars, it is full of antioxidants and vitamins. 

Honey is seen in many different industries including food, pharmaceutical, dental, and cosmetics. Comparing the majority of consumption and production of honey, the United States is in both categories. The majority of honey is produced in the United States, Canada, China, Argentina, and Mexico, while the majority of consumption is in the United States, Japan, and Germany. Production across different continents could not have been possible without humans rearranging the distribution of bees around the world. During the 17^th century, Europeans were fleeing wars and brought bees to the United States when migrating. Other societies brought beekeeping to New Zealand, Tasmania, and Australia. Bees first evolved when a few of the continents were connected and this helped scattering bees around the world. Although, most of the current dispersion of bees would not have been possible without the help of humans.  

Honey toast has been my savior in the college dining hall. The gooey sweetener is perfect to spread over toast or mix in tea. The history of honey has surpassed what I ever would have imagined. The behavior of honeybees is very interesting; I am intrigued by the process honey went through to get on my plate. From harvesting the nectar to collecting the honey to traveling in a semi truck to the grocery store, honey shares a deep history. When honey was invented it was a symbol of prosperity and happiness. In today’s society it is cherished for its sweetness and medical powers. This transition through time can be reflected through the many different industries honey is a part of now. In the past it was a symbol of wealth and happiness; to me honey represents purity and delight.

The Truth of Food Production

Our food is not delicately prepared but comes from cramped, smelling farms and factories. Estabrook and Cook delve over the treacherous conditions workers and animals sacrifice in order for food to be presented on our plates. Estabrook informs in Tomatoland, that “a ten-foot drop followed by a sixty-mile-per-hour impact with pavement is no big deal to a modern, agribusiness tomato” (1). Estabrook argues the change from home picked and flavor, to a focus solely on business when he describes the tomato as “agribusiness.” Over the past fifty years, the tomatoes we eat have lost nutrition and flavor. Tomatoes are picked un-riped and then ripened along the journey to the grocery store. When falling out of a truck a tomato seems to have incurred no damage. This is a prominent example the food industry. The cheapest, simplest, and quickest way to get food into a grocery store will be used.

Cook writes about the process of getting chicken onto people’s plates. With eight billion chickens slaughtered each year for consumption, chicken farmers are finding the simplest and cheapest ways to get their chickens ready, even if this causes harm to the workers. In his article, Cook informs that 50% of the workers are immigrants and do not make enough money to pay for the necessary protection, goggles and gloves, for their work. Long hours and unequal pay are the characteristics of our food industry pointed out by both Cook and Estabrook.

Pollan adds to this claim in “An Animal’s Place”, focusing on the treatment of the animals. Pollan points out critical issues involving the politics of animal rights and animal sufferings. Our society relies heavily upon the convenience and cheapness of certain food items. Turning a blind eye towards the line of production of food poses severe repercussions to our society. Animals may continue to be treated harshly, but the entire food production is detrimental to the workers involved.

The American Way

Pollan evaluates the American way of eating in his article, “Our National Eating Disorder”. The causes of our national eating disorder can be directly related towards marketers, scientific studies, new government guidelines, or a simple article in a magazine. Pollan points out that a single article in his magazine a few years ago “almost singlehandedly ushered in today’s carbophobia” (1). As seen, a simple set of words directed at Americans can alter their eating habits overnight. New diets come out every day, all promoting their ways are the best new alternatives to stay healthy and fit. Many of these options eliminate certain items (bread, meat, fruit, dairy, etc…) out of one’s diet and this conflicts with my view of eating. I believe in eating a variety in smaller portions; thus, I have never followed the newest trend and changed my ways of eating. My house is always stocked with fruits and vegetables, and never potato chips. I am never very concerned with what I eat, due to the fact that over a small bite, fried food makes me feel queasy in the stomach; rather than face the consequences, I opt for the healthier choice.

Pollan further argues that American’s are more concerned about health while “the French, more apt to choose on the basis of pleasure, are the healthier (and thinner) people” (Pollan 4). The French indulge over wine and cheese daily, but they don’t use the term “seconds” in a meal. Pollen interestingly includes the results of a survey done by a French sociologist. In this survey it was found that Americans view foods based on their nutrition while the French view food based on pleasure and quality. Guilt and celebration were both used to describe a chocolate cake but the American and French views were different. Americans over-analyze the piece of chocolate, and as a result immediately feel the need to exercise after work (Pollan 4). I put myself with the French; indulging over a piece of chocolate cake is much more enjoyable than feeling guilty about it afterwards. Whether it is in words, actions, or choice of food, Americans continually worry about the nutrition of an option and this leads to a national eating disorder. 

The Truth of Advertisements

            Health is a very prevalent issue in today’s society. With obesity rates steadily rising individuals are looking for the cheapest, simplest, and quickest way to shed pounds and maintain their health. Companies offer different alternatives to get healthy; a sample are exercise DVDs, prescription pills and healthy food items. Companies do this solely to sell their product and make a profit. Most of these options and programs work initially to take off some excess weight, but as soon as the routine is quit and one returns to their old habits, the weight is put back on. In order to maintain health one must continually watch their food intake and exercise. Food advertisers spring forward and take advantage of people’s weight loss desire to sell their product, claiming their items are low-calorie or trans-fat free. This appears beneficial to our society, but don’t be fooled by the misleading facts and perceptions. Food advertisements—especially those directed at children—are inaccurate, aimed at processed food, and detrimental to our health.

The American culture is influenced greatly by the food advertisements we see on televisions, billboards, and packaging. Advertisers use different methods to entice people to buy food or to visit a restaurant. Advertisements are directed at groups of people for different reasons: socioeconomic class, vegetarianism, organic lover, and so on. Choosing an audience is the first step in creating an advertisement; audiences are extremely important since they are the ones who ultimately buy the product. In relation to food, audiences differ based on their income level, health-food preference, or type of convenience they want—fast food versus sit down restaurant. Advertisers first need to designate what the overall message is based on the chosen audience. Current messages can clearly be articulated; Subway’s slogan “Eat Fresh” is a good example of promoting to people’s desire for fresh food and the perception that their food is healthy.

According to NationMaster.com the United States has the largest obesity rate in the world, with 30.6% of the population being classified as obese. This is significantly higher than European countries such as Spain and Germany which are around 13% (NationMaster.com, Heath Statistics). High blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer clearly illustrate the short and long-term side effects of obesity. Drastic and immediate changes need to take place in individual’s daily lives in order to protect their health.

With an obesity rate surpassing an alarming 30% among adults in the United States, there is a need for change. According to Food and Culture, “Americans eat about 25 percent more calories today than they did in 1980” (2). Consuming more calories leads to an increase in weight; to combat this issue it is important to eat healthier and smaller portions. Advertisers ignore this fact, as they are paid to promote products and entice consumers to buy more of their customer’s product. Proclaiming you will be unable to stop eating because it is ‘so good’ works in favor of the advertiser’s customer and not in favor of healthier eating habits. Consumers may believe they are getting the most delicious and healthy food, but advertisers know this technique is just getting consumers to buy more of their customer’s product. Certain ads geared towards men portray that the more you eat the manlier you are. Young men compete against their friends to see how much they can eat; they are blind as to what is going into their body since their focus is on winning the competition. 

A major health concern is that food advertisements are strongly directed towards children. Food advertisements can be seen on television, billboards, movies, websites, and even in schools. My high school had a vending machine that only sold Coke products. Also, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in both high school and middle school, there would be Domino’s Pizza. Selling certain brands in school will urge children to buy these items outside of school. Certain companies promote their brands in schools targeting the youth to start buying their product at a young age.

Michele Roberts and Simone Pettigrew from the University of Western Australia did a research assignment, observing different television food advertisements. They found drastic results all pointing towards the conclusion that advertisements directed at children are for processed, unhealthy food items such as sugary drinks and fast-food. They watched 28.5 hours of television and analyzed the 212 food ads shown out of the 950 total ads. Breaking down the 212 ads into groups, foods with high fats and sugars represented an alarming 72% of the advertisements. Only 3% of these ads represented fruits or vegetables. The remaining groups on a food chart–dairy, meats, and grains—represented the remaining 25% (Roberts and Pettigrew 357-360). Interestingly, this is completely opposite of what the current food diagram looks like: 50% fruits and vegetables with a very small percentage of sweets. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, not even 25% of youth are getting the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables in a day. The degree of processed food has significantly increased in daily food consumption, clearly displayed by these statistics.

Children represent a large segment of the television advertising market, while teenagers have become the focus of Internet advertising. The technological boom has left many teenagers in front of the computer for hours; they spend their time playing online games, completing homework, watching television shows, or even just browsing the web. This has opened the door for advertisers to specifically target teenagers and promote their customer’s products online. Teenagers doze off while watching television, but they are active, attentive users on the computer. An article in the Natural News by David Gutierrez notes that teenagers spend an average of $46 for online purchases each month, more than both children and adults. Additionally, Gutierrez states youth “are significantly more likely to participate in online marketing campaigns than other age groups” (5). Spending more time on the computer and participating in marketing claims, teenagers are easy targets for companies’ ads. Pursuing and specifically targeting teenagers for their money has not raised many concerns; the real concern is that most of these advertisements are for junk foods and sugary drinks. Instead of focusing and promoting healthy habits at a young age, advertisers are bombarding youth promoting their food is the newest trend and will make you popular. The reality is many of these foods and energy drinks are filled with sugars and high calories. Advertisers have shifted their techniques to utilize new technology determining where people spend most of their time.

Food advertisements, whether on the Internet or television, are misleading in their facts. Food and Culture put out an article, Analyzing Food Ads, which clearly shows misconceived perceptions of ads. Milky Bar chocolate claims they are made from milk that was hardened into the bar; this suggests the chocolate bar is only solidified milk, ignoring all of the added preservatives and sugars (Food and Culture). These advertisements alter one’s perception of what the product offers to your health. Visual News posted illustrations of what fast food actually looks like compared to what advertisers promote. The actual Burger King Whopper placed next to the one pictured in the advertisement was half as tall with lettuce and tomatoes missing. McDonald’s meat patties were tinted purple while Taco Bell’s tacos were layered with grease. Advertisers use creative imagery to make their product appear more appealing. The alarming pictures prompt me to wonder if this food should be sold at all.

A further misconception is about the nutritional value of food. Panera Bread promotes their new low-fat mango smoothie on a banner inside their store. This smoothie may only have 1.5 grams of fat but has an overwhelming 48 grams of sugar (Panera Bread). This represents current advertising trends; an option may be appear ‘healthier’ by being sugar-free, but it can still contain hidden enormous amounts of calories.  Advertisements don’t point out the drawbacks of their items. These misleading ads are a driving cause towards individuals overeating and not consuming the right amount of nutrition in a day.

As opposed to all of the negative connotations seen thus far in ads, some food commercials can be beneficial to society. One Subway poster ad clearly illustrates the benefits from eating at their restaurant. Their overall message—“eat fresh”—is displayed at the center of the ad below the name Subway. By placing this slogan at the center, with different healthy choices of subs around the sides, attention is immediately directed at “eat fresh” and the healthy choices. Other attempts towards nutrition are in the subs themselves; many are filled with fresh vegetables and one sub choice is even called Veggie Delite. At a restaurant like Subway one is able to control the calories consumed by choosing their own toppings. This advertisement is not directed at a specific age group; thus, it is inferred from the research I’ve observed that advertisements for health are directed towards all ages. On the contrary, junk food and sugary drinks largely represent advertisements directed at children.

Panera Bread also offers healthier options. An article in the Bloomberg Businessweek states that the breads from Panera are made “from dough that contains no unhealthy trans fats” (3). This article claims that Panera targets those concerned with eating healthy food. Due to a change in society’s view on health, many restaurants—such as Panera Bread—have changed their menus to display calorie counts. A main cause of this was the result of individuals not knowing the nutrition of an item they purchased and ate. Counting calories is a method some use to track the amount of food they consume in a day. These advertisements are a result of the change in people’s diets.  

The American society is continually adapting to changes around us. Currently, there is a strong trend towards eating healthy and maintaining fit. These goals are in conflict with many of the food advertisements we see around us every day; whether it is on the morning news commercials, internet, billboards, or even at school, advertisements influence many decisions we make. Every day we are urged to buy the newest “deal” at a fast-food restaurant or the low-fat smoothie from Panera Bread. Food advertisements are inaccurate and deceiving relative to what they appear to be displaying. Roberts, Pettigrew, and Gutierrez both support the claim that advertisements focused on children are mainly for processed food. Bad habits created during youth are detrimental to one’s health in the future. Advertisements are not only harmful to our health but are misleading and deceitful in their facts.

With over a third of our society overweight and obese, there needs to be a revolutionary cultural food change in people’s eating habits. This needs to start with eliminating ads promoting food that is unhealthy for any age group. Being trans-fat free does not guarantee entire healthiness. If companies alter the product they are promoting they will be able to sell more healthy options while also appealing towards the greater good. Adding a side of fruit instead of a starch (bread) is a simple way to change one’s diet. Food advertisements are the start to a revolutionary change in American’s eating habits.