The world loves a bit of gossip. Especially when it involves a celebrity. Shane Warne, whether you call him a celebrity or not, is dominating the media gossip columns because of his recent weight loss. Since much of media gossip seems to revolve about celebrities being too fat or too thin, or being photographed with a minute tummy bulge suggesting they could be pregnant rather than post-prandial; maybe the question should we be taking any notice of all the hoo-hah at all?
In this case I think yes, only because some of the columnists are saying that Shane attributes his significant weight loss to drinking an organic diet shake, which he has now become “addicted” to.
This raises several issues. Firstly, once a celebrity endorses a particular product, sales of this are likely to escalate as others seek the same results. Outcome? Increased sales profits for the company and many people undertaking yet another unhealthy yo-yo method looking to achieve weight loss.
Yes, there probably is a role for some of these diet drinks for a few obese people who require rapid weight loss because of an impending surgical procedure. But unless these shakes are part of an overall eating plan designed to encourage a person to adopt life long healthy eating habits, then they are likely to be short-term gains only. The major loss will be to people’s wallets.
Admitting to being “addicted” to a diet shake is a worry too. How can you adapt back to regular foods if still craving a “diet” product? Fast food has contributed to our addiction to sugar, fat and salt. We crave “hot chips” not because we are hungry but to feed our addiction.
We live in a modern world where obesity is a major health issue. As a brain fitness advocate, I believe it is vital that we attempt to address this through promoting healthy eating in a number of different ways.
Food is an essential part of our life. What we eat and how much, can either help keep us fit and well, or make us sick. Our rapid change in eating habits over the last couple of decades has seen the role of food diminished from something we enjoy and savour to something that that is either an inconvenience to our busy world, or something that we indulge in to feed an addiction or as a substitute for our emotional needs.
One bright light on the horizon in all this madness of fast food, weight loss fads and ever increasing obesity is the popularity of some TV reality shows. These have focussed on the love of good food and the creativity of an individual’s passion for creating great dishes. We watch and improve our awareness of just how easy it can be to eat well and more healthily. Masterchef Australia has done so much in this role; even our kids have become more interested in different foods and how to cook.
Another bright light is the inimitable Jamie Oliver. Love him or hate him, he is doing his very best to wake us all up to the fact that we can choose a better way in what we choose to eat and how we eat.
The goal of losing weight is to achieve a healthy weight for our particular height and frame. The way to maintain a healthy weight is through appropriate food choices, looking to “add in” healthy foods and doing adequate exercise.
Dieting alone does not work and diet is such an ugly word. It conjures up deprivation, self-denial and misery.
Healthy eating is just part of an overall healthy living plan that includes regular daily exercise and enjoying our life.
So forget the shakes and diet bars. Let’s get back to understanding food and just how good it can be to enjoy healthy meals with fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, seeds and nuts.
“Bon appetit”.