By Sheri LeClair Banitt
One of the perks in retirement is that there is so much unscheduled free time. This can feel scary at first until you remember that no one is keeping track of what you do or long it takes to do it.
This morning, I am enjoying an Audio book indoors while the heat index outdoors soars to over 100 degrees. I will go out later to enjoy the pool, but for now, I am learning about ultra processed food.
Yikes! I have long known that processed food is not as good for your body as, well, FOOD. The book I’m reading explains that in America most people are consuming 80% of their calories from ultra-processed food. Surely, the author does not mean me? But he does, it is true. The foods we consume on a daily basis are created by marketers whose goal is to create profit and avoid expense.
You should read or listen to the book to determine your own takeaways. Ultra Processed People by Chris Van Tulleken.
Here are mine.
- The food we eat is the food that is available in our location.
- Even though lower income neighborhoods will have access to more ultra processed foods and less access to FOOD, we all eat ultra processed food.
- Ultra processed refers to the molecular structure of what we eat and there are a surprising number of ways to change or replace food molecules with this other stuff that is more marketable and profitable.
- Sometimes we can make simple choices that improve our diet, like eating fresh fruits and vegetables instead of chips and candy.
- The more ultra processed food we eat, the more advances are made to improve it so we will continue to buy and eat it.
That’s a lot to think about. And I realize now why my kitchen is such a mess. I have been cooking FOOD since retirement and that takes bowls, knives, spoons, spatulas, pots, pans, ovens, plates and cups along with veggie scraps, herbs, spices, recipes and shopping lists. Then there is the apron, paper towels and dish cloths. I have glass containers of staples that never seem to fit anywhere and a fridge full of produce in containers.
When you take the time to grow, buy, prepare, and cook FOOD, even for one person, it takes time and labor. That is something the average working person has little of to spare. But I am retired and have these things in abundance. So, I will try to limit those ultra processed foods and continue to grow, buy, prepare, cook, and eat more FOOD daily.