If You Add Omega-3 to Oreos...

then they're health food, right?

One of the topics discussed in In Defense of Food is the concept of "nutritionism." Pollan defines it as the mindset from which those of us in Western cultures approach our food--that is, we rate food based on it's nutritional components to determine whether it falls into one of two categories: "good" or "bad." Food is viewed merely as a conglomeration of calories, fat, protein, carbs, vitamins, etc. These various components can be added, deleted, or modified in any food to move it out of one category and into the other.

If something is low in the "bad" substances (usually fat in various forms and calories) then the food is considered good for you--a good choice, especially if you are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, if a food is high in the "good" substances (vitamins, fatty acids, calcium)regardless of how those "good" things got in that food, then the food is deemed "good" as well.

But there is a problem with this way of thinking (bear with me as a paraphrase Pollan's assertions.) A large apple has over 100 calories and 23 grams of sugar. A few reduced fat Oreos have fewer calories and less sugar than an apple. So in our "nutritionism," we think "calories. sugar. bad." and choose the Oreos. I don't think they've had omega-3's added to them yet, but I bet it won't be long.

Forget that Oreos have an ingredients list full or unfamiliar and unpronounceable words. Forget the chemical warfare used to manufacture them. Forget that they don't even taste that good and aren't at all satisfying. Just look at the nutrition label--scan down to the line item for calories and then fat. If those are both low, dig in and pat yourself on the back for your healthy choice!

But contrary to this philosophy, substabces like fat and sugar aren't bad (when consumed in moderation.) At least not the naturally occurring kind placed there by the Creator for our sustenance and pleasure. The kind injected in "foods" by food manufacturers is another story altogether.

A higher calorie, sweeter snack that has no ingredients list or nutrition label beats a 100 calorie snack pack of anything every time.