by Linda Smith

Created on: June 04, 2008

Oh for goodness sakes! Can you imagine the strain on the national economy if we, as citizens, put the responsibility for our eating habits in government hands? Our constitution in the U.S. promises us "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness..." and if it makes me happy to eat a donut, then by gosh and by golly, I'll eat a donut!

On the serious side of the question, some things about living our life should never be taken out of our hands. For instance, it's a parent's job to teach a child how to eat a well balanced diet - both by instruction and by example to maximize health and wellbeing. And it's an adult's job to take care of him or herself...and if he, or she, does not, then that person pays with health consequences.

Here's the rub: our population is so large and health-related issues that effect the economy so important, that asking the question is probably inevitable. High blood pressure and heart disease, diabetes and obesity can be related to poor eating habits, along with little or no exercise. In a population this large, it relates to loss of days on the job, poor productivity, higher health care costs and a drain on government-subsidized health care costs like Medicare and Medicaid.

But does this mean that healthy eating should come under government control? How would this be done? How would it be monitored? Would it require a ban on "fast food?" How could you possibly control the sale and consumption of empty-nutrition food products? The soda industry alone is a billion dollar industry, but soda is not healthy by any stretch of the imagination.

How would you go about making sure that everyone ate a proper diet every day? What about the people who cannot afford to purchase the necessary 6-10 fruits and vegetables per day that is recommended?

The better answer is education. Baby Boomers are aging and realizing that they are healthier than their parents were at the same age, and will likely live longer and be more active overall. Although this age group was raised on McDonald's hamburgers and french fries, there is a trend, now that they are older, towards natural foods, antioxidants and vitamins. The fact that many fast food places are offering more nutritional choices is indicative of change. And the restaurant industry would not offer what it cannot sell. Baby Boomers children are now raising their own children and taking a closer look at nutrition...and being "greener" in their choices - cage free, free range, organic. Healthy eating is clearing a priority for the next generation.

Ultimately, whether a person chooses to be healthy or not is just that - their personal choice. One would hope that each of us would make an informed choice.

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