Working Revelations

I learnt some very important things yesterday while I was working.
I constantly struggle with some aspects of my course that I am presented with.  It is hard when currently nutrition is such a science-based field.  And the scientists who are conducting the nutrition research, they are hired by corporations wanting to make money with their products. And don't get me wrong, I am as much for evidence-based theory as the next person - but we are such a new science, as is the current food processing and agricultural technologies, that I fail to believe right now, in this present moment, that they are of benefit, benefit to health, benefit to the eco-system and of benefit to our world.
Just like someone was brought up to believe in a higher being, I was brought up to believe in the importance of natural, straight from the earth as it is, foods.  I find it hard to be a scientist sometimes.  I find it hard to suggest to someone, that yes, artificial sugar substitutes are better than real sugar because they don't put strain upon your pancreas.  Now who are we to say that in 20years time, research wont have discovered that these chemicals we are putting into our bodies are actually more detrimental than the real deal?  What is wrong with the real deal to start with? We wouldnt be having such devestating problems now if everyone was just eating what evolution designed for them to eat.  Food that nature has supplied for us.  Not food that has refined, engineered, or bunsen-burned it's way into the food supply.  And no-one can argue with me when I say that it is these foods, not the veggies, and the fruits, and the legumes, that has caused the obesity epidemic, and the Type 2 diabetes, and the atherosclerosis.
Thirty years ago, it was ingeniously discovered that oil could be reheated - over and over again - to save production costs, making the food cheaper, and the customers happier.  What would have happened if they knew back then of the harmful effects of trans fats?

Think about it.

Anyway. I have come to terms with the way our food supply is. Kind of. Not really. But I have come to accept that not everyone is like me and doesnt have to be.
So yesterday at work, apart from getting told that I had to tell the customers that a particular white bread was "healthier" (which I refused to do), I came across some very interesting and informative customers.

Mr 1.
This man approached me and asked me curiously about our 'particular white bread' which we are currently promoting. He asked me details about the GI etc.  And I told him, I told him that yes it is low GI, but a wholemeal based bread with seeds is even lower.  He then said he had been told about our wholemeal-based-seeded bread, and mentioned he was curious in that one instead.  Immediately I kind of knew he had diabetes - as most people with diabetes are curious about the GI, and are extremely cautious of sugar contents (when they should be worrying more about saturated fat).  I asked him if this was so, and on the affirmative, I recommended him the seeded wholemeal bread explaining that is of extra benefit with more protein, and more vitamins and minerals, and good fats bla bla bla.  He looked pleased enough with my explanation and I sort of probed him more, about how long he had had diabetes for (Im not very subtle). He did avoid answering me, but he did say that he was trying to modify his diet to avoid medication - I was overjoyed, I told him how fabulous that was, and that not many people do perceive the consequences of diabetes to outweigh the immediate benefits of eating shitty food.  So anyway I did notice his trolley - choc a bloc with a particular brand of ice-creams which are 'low sugar' i.e. high artificial sweeteners.  He said that he was recommended them, and i was thinking in my head hmmmm typical dietetian.  And then he cracked a funny, saying that he was keen to modify his diet, and have a few alcohol free days, but no way when the footy was on that he was going to stick to his two beers!
So anyway. I was thinking - finally after probably having been hit in the head multiple times over the course of the year with the same information -  that you know if he is going to eat 10L of ice-cream over the course of the week, and he is so motivated to make changes, then why not let him have his 'low sugar' ice-cream if it makes him feel better, and makes him more compliant.  He will not be getting that massive load on his poor pancreas, he will be able to manage his blood glucose better.... and just by doing this, he is not only going to put years on his life, but also improve the quality of those years.  I still think it may take more time for me to actually be able to suggest such a thing myself, but you know all I want to do is to help people.  I shouldnt be so subjective. I hope he really does stick to his word, and make changes to the rest of his diet. Good on ya Mr 1!

Mrs 2.
After suggesting her the 'healthier' white bread instead of her requested normal white bread, she refused, saying that her kids didnt like it.  I was thinking in my head that they wouldnt have known the difference if she didnt tell them - and that they should eat whatever she bloody hell gives them, and she should be making food choices based on their health! grr

Mrs 3.
This lady asked me to slice her two loaves of the 'healthier' white bread.  She said she had tried it last week and that she was really happy with it.  I was like oh yeah, whatever.  But then she said she normally buys wholemeal bread - and that the kids come home from school having not eaten their packed sandwhiches.  She said that this bread is like a treat to them, and they come home with empty lunchboxes.
So I came to another relevation.  Kids eating their sandwhiches during lunch, instead of either not eating anything or opting for tuck-shop food (i.e. chips, sausage rolls), is wayyyy better, even if the sandwhich quality may not be as good as if it was wholemeal.
I remember a couple of weeks ago, I got asked twice within three days if it was better to eat sugary breakfast cereal than go without breakfast.  I said its better to eat the sugary breakfast cereal.  At least they are getting some nutrition, some energy, some something to start the day, instead of nothing.  Even if it is not something that I would recommend for breakfast, if that is all someone is going to eat then let em bloody eat it.
Oh yehh. Im getting good at this.

Its getting late. and I have to be up in four hours. grr. maybe I'll skip my lecture and just go to the tute.  hmm that sounds appealing. Damn insomnia!