Frankenfood

I never realized how hard it is to eat right.

I'm not talking about going on a diet or anything -- that's a will power issue and something altogether different. But when I go to the supermarket and pick out foods, I'm floored by how few things there are to eat that are actually good for you.

Forget boxed anything. Growing up, I was always a huge fan of boxed soup -- you know, the kind in that paper bag with the metallic inside to keep the powdered broth fresh. It was my "sick food" and ate it every time I felt ill. Looking back on it, I'm surprised it didn't make me more ill. There is nothing natural in it.

Those other boxed foods are no better -- boxed seasoned rices, boxed Asian meals, boxed Italian meals (which aren't allowed in my house anyway for other reasons). They all are filled with chemicals I cannot pronounce and a bunch of malarcky about real pieces of chicken or natural flavorings or something.

Don't get me started on desserts. Cookies, cakes, whatever you buy in the store is loaded with even more of that garbage. It's put in there to prolong the shelf life of the food so the corporation that mass produces it can earn greater revenue.

So, while the big food corporations are making billions, we're eating stuff that isn't even truly digestible. Breakfast cereals, frozen dinners, frozen pizza -- is it any wonder we have so much cancer and obesity in our country?

Question: Is it pure coincidence that one of the largest cigarette companies, headquartered in Weschester County, New York, is also one of the largest makers of this garbage food?

So, maybe you think it's better to go out and eat, huh?

Guess again. If you live in most of America, going out to eat now is limited to mostly chain restaurants. If you haven't read Fast Food Nation by now then you are missing out. While the book is mostly about McDonalds, it holds true that the chain restaurants are no better. Just because you are handed a menu doesn't mean it still is not fast food.

Here is my advice:

Eat at non-chain restaurants. If it must be fast food, then have pizza (non chain pizza, please!!). Spend more time shopping and less time boiling water to add your pre-cooked meal. Buy veggies and fruits. Make stuff at home.

And remember, when you are buying food from a box, you may be helping a company finance their cigarette ads.