The Transformation of Our Bodies and Diets
In the 1970s, a visit to the beach was a showcase of lean, active bodies. People of all ages enjoyed the sun, surf, and sand with a level of fitness that seemed effortless. Fast forward to today, and the scene has drastically changed. The prevalence of overweight and obese individuals has skyrocketed, painting a stark contrast to the svelte figures of the past. This shift prompts us to examine the role of the food industry in this dramatic transformation.
The 1970s: A Different Era of Eating
During the 70s, the typical diet was markedly different from what we see today. Meals were often home-cooked, with fresh ingredients forming the backbone of family dinners. Processed foods were available but not ubiquitous. Fast food chains were fewer, and eating out was considered a treat rather than a regular occurrence. Portion sizes were smaller, and sugary snacks were less prevalent in households.
Physical activity also played a significant role in the lives of people in the 70s. Without the convenience of digital entertainment, children and adults alike spent more time outdoors, engaging in physical activities. Walking, cycling, and participating in sports were common pastimes.
The Rise of Processed Foods
The landscape began to change with the rise of processed foods and fast food chains in the late 20th century. The food industry, driven by profit, began to prioritize convenience and shelf-life over nutritional value. High-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and an array of artificial additives became staples in many foods. These ingredients made food cheaper and more accessible but also less healthy.
Marketing strategies targeted at children and busy adults further entrenched these unhealthy eating habits. Fast food advertisements promised quick, tasty meals at low prices, and snack companies created products that were hard to resist due to their high sugar and salt content. This aggressive marketing, combined with the convenience of ready-made meals, led to a significant increase in the consumption of unhealthy foods.
The Impact on Public Health
The consequences of these changes in diet have been profound. Rates of obesity have soared, bringing with them a host of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and various forms of cancer. According to the World Health Organization, worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. In many countries, the number of overweight children and adolescents has increased tenfold over the same period.
The food industry’s influence extends beyond what we eat to how we perceive food. Portion sizes have increased dramatically, and the notion of what constitutes a normal serving has become distorted. Additionally, the emphasis on convenience has led to a decline in cooking skills, with many people relying heavily on pre-packaged meals and fast food.
Moving Towards a Healthier Future
Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach. Public awareness campaigns can educate people about the dangers of processed foods and the benefits of a balanced diet. Governments can implement policies to regulate the marketing of unhealthy foods, particularly to children, and promote healthier options. Schools can play a crucial role by providing nutritious meals and incorporating nutrition education into their curricula.
On an individual level, making a conscious effort to prepare meals from fresh ingredients, controlling portion sizes, and increasing physical activity can help counteract the damage done by the food industry. Embracing a lifestyle reminiscent of the 70s, where home-cooked meals and outdoor activities were the norm, can pave the way towards a healthier society.
Masterchef contestant was immediately removed from show after dish she served judges
Warning: This article contains images of a dead animal some readers may find distressing.
A Masterchef contestant was immediately removed from the show after serving up the judges a questionable dish that had them spitting feathers – literally.
Oh, Masterchef.
There’s nothing better than watching over confident contestants talk themselves up on the VT – only to have them produce an absolute abomination of the dish that the judges’ waste no time in ripping into.
We all like to sit on our sofas, Goggleboxing and declaring that we could do better.
Although this time, most of us probably could because anything would be better than what one contestant served up on Masterchef Espãna.
Saray Carrillo served up a questionable dish. (Masterchef Espana / YouTube)
Sometimes when you’re cooking, not every job is pleasant, and if you want to serve up something that looks delicious and inviting, sometimes you have to get a little bit dirty.
And that’s something this contestant had no plans of doing.
In 2020, Saray Carrillo, 27, was mortified by one of the challenges where she had to pluck and cook a whole partridge.
Unless you’re vegan or vegetarian, cutting up poultry is pretty standard cooking practice, but Carrillo apparently expressed her fear of having to do such a task and took the challenge as a personal attack.
Defiantly, she decided to serve the bird, unplucked, uncooked and unappetising, garnished on a bed of spring onions, some kind of sauce and garnished with a couple of cherry tomatoes.
Take a look:
Umm, yeah. (Masterchef Espana / YouTube)
I think it’s hilarious, but the judges certainly didn’t think so – the only way to describe the look on their faces is ‘p*ssed’.
This was only exasperated more when Carrillo approached the bench with a cheeky smirk on her face, whilst the rest of the contestants looked on in horror by the dish she was presenting.
One judge said something in Spanish that translated to: “This is never seen in MasterChef.”
The judges, rightly so, grilled Carrillo and were not exactly sad to see the back of her.
As she plonked her apron down on the bench and strutted out of the Masterchef kitchen, the judges watched her leave with faces like a slapped a**.
The clip was from a season that aired in 2020 and went viral at the time, and has since been viewed 7.4 million times on YouTube.Play
People were quick to mock the episode on social media.
One YouTube user wrote: “HOW DISGUSTING GOD, I really can’t handle cherry tomatoes.”
Someone else saw fit to quote TV Chef legend Gordon Ramsay saying: “IT’S SO RAW THAT IT CAN STILL FLY!”
While another brutally said: “It is tragic that a person like this is a social educator when in reality she is yet to be civilized.”
I wonder what John and Greg would have made of all this?
Leave a Reply