Take it easy with what you eat

The recent news of the death of a 16-year-old in the United States after an overdose of caffeine is reigniting discussions on the importance of what we eat and when to say stop. Anything in excess is bad. Copious consumption can kill, like in the case of Davis Allen Cripe who had a large latte, energy drink and diet Mountain Dew in just a couple of hours, which eventually induced a cardiac arrest that led to his death. The news doesn’t call for naming and shaming of the brands he had, but brings the focus back to the golden rule of eating: Eat everything you like, but in moderation. No diet plans, or detox therapies are really needed, if we follow the basic tenet of eating sensibly. Yet, around two-third of the population in the developed world is either overweight or obese. In fact, for the first time since modern data has been compiled, the world has more obese people than underweight. The rising numbers are effectively leading to one of the greatest public health problems of modern times: how to persuade people to make better and sensible food choices.

Governments have a role to play. Many countries are doing their best, too, with well-intentioned recommendations and laws. Fat tax, or a surcharge placed on fatty food, for instance, is a much talked about idea globally. Japan and Denmark have implemented it, and countries in the region such as Qatar and the UAE are also thinking along similar lines. But change at the individual level will only come when we make a conscious effort to have a healthy relationship with food. It is not about being thin, or embarking on extreme diet plans. Crucially, it is about reaching a state where the food we choose to eat nourishes us instead of making us sick. While we may be looking for the perfect solution, ironically, it is right in front of us. Limit food intake, eat what you need, and stay away from processed foods as much as you can. This simple mantra will keep us healthy and stave off lifestyle diseases. More importantly, it will improve the quality of life. Less is better when it comes to food.