Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us
Replies
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Another reason why the food industry pushes crap over whole foods is because whole foods take a lot of time to produce/grow. They only need a bunch of man made chemicals to produce a lot of the crap food like coke, so they are limited to the amount of whole foods that can be produced.
All you need are you and a few million of your closest friends to demand only sugar free tomato sauce and bam, some evil corporation will be glad to produce it and sell it to you.
In the mean time, they know people buy what tastes good to them and they'd go out of business selling tomato sauce without sugar if that isn't what the market wants.
I agree. The food industry is just feeding you what you think you want (brainwashed).0 -
Are you allowed to bring in your own snacks to the movie theater?
I have cargo shorts with gigantic pockets and my wife has a big purse. Of course, I use those pockets to bring in gatorade and raisinets, not apples and edamame. One time smuggled in double quarter pounder with cheese. But hey, to each their own.0 -
It is a good book. I am not done but reading it. As I said, anyone interested in reading it will certainly bolster their own weight loss by better understanding the enemy.
There are too many people here that say I am doing great, I know how to control myself, I know what to buy at the grocery, I am not influenced by the processed foods and what the food industry does. Pat yourselves on the back and then take yourself out of the discussion. The nation is getting fatter and fatter. Our kids are getting fatter and fatter. Even us, the success stories on MFP, 90% of us will regain our weight.
I don't have a solution but acknowledging that the cause is largely due to the food industry manipulating bad for your food to taste irresistible is a step in the right direction.0 -
I seriously doubt that companies sit around contemplating ways to destroy it's customers by making them obese. They are out to make a profit...plain and simple.
When I read things like the OP, it's just another example of people looking for something to fear. The producers of books and "documentaries" that promote mass hysteria are guilty of playing on the natural tendency of people to find something to worry about.
Sigh.
Really?
Clearly the food industry makes a profit by selling more food. And they sell more food by making the nation fat. The too are too closely linked.
I DO think they sit around all day trying to figure out a way to get us to buy more of their product because I can't resist it.
The nation is getting fat at an alarming rate. The food industry acknowledged their contribution in 1999 and portions tried to self-regulate, but failed due to the huge profit motive on the other side. Read the first chapter.
No one that has commented has even addressed the fact that it is the kids that are targeted first - it is hard to preach a healthy lifestyle to them. And to anyone that says that parents can dictate what their kids eat, especially once they go into school, is being overly idealistic.
Who is the arbiter of what is "healthy"? That's like asking the government to decide what's beautiful. I don't disagree that we as a nation are fat, and I don't even necessarily disagree with public service messages about how bad sugar is, or how bad cigarettes are, etc., but overregulation is depressing our economy and it does more harm than good. I'm not saying it doesn't do good, it does more HARM than good on balance. It's hard to eat healthy when you're struggling to make ends meet and don't have as much time to think about those things.
Another reason for allowing parents to use vouchers to pick schools that have healthy lunch programs. Instead of mandating everything, let's give people more choices. That's the way to go.
Kids are targeted by all SORTS of ads on TV...should we ban all those or start regulating them? It's parental responsibility to instill and mandate healthy eating habits into children, not "society" or "government."0 -
Another reason why the food industry pushes crap over whole foods is because whole foods take a lot of time to produce/grow. They only need a bunch of man made chemicals to produce a lot of the crap food like coke, so they are limited to the amount of whole foods that can be produced.
All you need are you and a few million of your closest friends to demand only sugar free tomato sauce and bam, some evil corporation will be glad to produce it and sell it to you.
In the mean time, they know people buy what tastes good to them and they'd go out of business selling tomato sauce without sugar if that isn't what the market wants.
I agree. The food industry is just feeding you what you think you want (brainwashed).
I assure you, my mind is about as dirty as they come. I am not a puppet. I do not fear being made in to a puppet.0 -
Are you allowed to bring in your own snacks to the movie theater?
I have cargo shorts with gigantic pockets and my wife has a big purse. Of course, I use those pockets to bring in gatorade and raisinets, not apples and edamame. One time smuggled in double quarter pounder with cheese. But hey, to each their own.
I bring my own dressing to restaurants!! Allowed? Ummm, no...but who's stopping me??0 -
It is a good book. I am not done but reading it. As I said, anyone interested in reading it will certainly bolster their own weight loss by better understanding the enemy.
There are too many people here that say I am doing great, I know how to control myself, I know what to buy at the grocery, I am not influenced by the processed foods and what the food industry does. Pat yourselves on the back and then take yourself out of the discussion. The nation is getting fatter and fatter. Our kids are getting fatter and fatter. Even us, the success stories on MFP, 90% of us will regain our weight.
I don't have a solution but acknowledging that the cause is largely due to the food industry manipulating bad for your food to taste irresistible is a step in the right direction.
The only way you could do stop the current system would be to give control of food production to the government. The government would have to dictate acceptable and unacceptable ingredients and the ratios in which ingredients could be used. The the government would have to inspect all food production for compliance.
Doesn't sound like a good deal to me.0 -
Another reason why the food industry pushes crap over whole foods is because whole foods take a lot of time to produce/grow. They only need a bunch of man made chemicals to produce a lot of the crap food like coke, so they are limited to the amount of whole foods that can be produced.
All you need are you and a few million of your closest friends to demand only sugar free tomato sauce and bam, some evil corporation will be glad to produce it and sell it to you.
In the mean time, they know people buy what tastes good to them and they'd go out of business selling tomato sauce without sugar if that isn't what the market wants.
I agree. The food industry is just feeding you what you think you want (brainwashed).
I assure you, my mind is about as dirty as they come. I am not a puppet. I do not fear being made in to a puppet.
The brainwashed comment wasn't directed at you..sorry.0 -
I seriously doubt that companies sit around contemplating ways to destroy it's customers by making them obese. They are out to make a profit...plain and simple.
When I read things like the OP, it's just another example of people looking for something to fear. The producers of books and "documentaries" that promote mass hysteria are guilty of playing on the natural tendency of people to find something to worry about.
Sigh.
I agree. Didn't Kessler already write this book?0 -
Are you allowed to bring in your own snacks to the movie theater?
I have cargo shorts with gigantic pockets and my wife has a big purse. Of course, I use those pockets to bring in gatorade and raisinets, not apples and edamame. One time smuggled in double quarter pounder with cheese. But hey, to each their own.
I love my movie purse! Though I tend to smuggle in flasks as well as candy. Jurassic Park 3D is awesome, but *tipsy* Jurassic Park 3D? That's the stuff dreams are made of.0 -
The only way you could do stop the current system would be to give control of food production to the government. The government would have to dictate acceptable and unacceptable ingredients and the ratios in which ingredients could be used. The the government would have to inspect all food production for compliance.
Doesn't sound like a good deal to me.
Why is this the only way?
Right now companies like General Mills, Kellogg, Pillsbury and many others enjoy a wholesome reputation. They are the ones that are behind (or at least contributing to) the obesity epidemic. How would they respond if this book got enough publicity to get people stirred up? They do not want regulation. If someone turns on the light I'm sure it will have a positive impact.0 -
The only way you could do stop the current system would be to give control of food production to the government. The government would have to dictate acceptable and unacceptable ingredients and the ratios in which ingredients could be used. The the government would have to inspect all food production for compliance.
Doesn't sound like a good deal to me.
Why is this the only way?
Right now companies like General Mills, Kellogg, Pillsbury and many others enjoy a wholesome reputation. They are the ones that are behind (or at least contributing to) the obesity epidemic. How would they respond if this book got enough publicity to get people stirred up? They do not want regulation. If someone turns on the light I'm sure it will have a positive impact.
Maybe you could finish reading the book before deciding it should be required reading for everyone.
Besides, the author is just trying to make the food industry sound as rotten as possible as a scare tactic to increase his book sales. The same thing you indict the food industry for.
We can all lose weight by counting our calories and exercising. I know, it's not as sexy or exciting as saying food companies are out to get us and it places the blame for a person's weight on that person... that's why no one wants to hear it. But it's the truth.0 -
The only way you could do stop the current system would be to give control of food production to the government. The government would have to dictate acceptable and unacceptable ingredients and the ratios in which ingredients could be used. The the government would have to inspect all food production for compliance.
Doesn't sound like a good deal to me.
Why is this the only way?
Right now companies like General Mills, Kellogg, Pillsbury and many others enjoy a wholesome reputation. They are the ones that are behind (or at least contributing to) the obesity epidemic. How would they respond if this book got enough publicity to get people stirred up? They do not want regulation. If someone turns on the light I'm sure it will have a positive impact.
People KNOW that too much alcohol is bad for them. People KNOW that smoking is bad for them. People KNOW that eating too much sugar is bad for them. But they do these things anyway. The reasons they DECIDE to do these things anyway are irrelevant. To place the blame on the suppliers of ANYTHING is irrational and illogical. To say that companies are behind...or even contributing to...the obesity epidemic, means that people cannot do what they KNOW is good for them. This idea says to the overweight people that society does not respect them enough to make their own decisions and therefore society has to control what is available to them. It is an idea that has footholds in other areas too. One example is seatbelt laws. Forcing people to protect themselves under threat of punishment. Is that where we are headed with the obesity issue? I HOPE NOT!0 -
February 26, 2013
Writer’s Argument that Americans are “Hooked on Food” Lacks Substance
Today the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) criticized Michael Moss’ new book, Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us, which argues that food companies are making products that generate heroin-like addiction compulsion behaviors. Moss argues companies are working to “hook” Americans onto food by spending an extensive amount of time developing and testing food and drink products to find those that are well-received and affordable for the average American.
The notion of food addiction is not a new suggestion. Food control zealots have long argued that Americans have become helpless “McVictims.” But food addiction claims like Moss’ are completely bunk. Cambridge University researchers recently re-issued a warning not to regard “food addiction” as the cause of obesity, noting they found “no conclusive evidence” of food withdrawal and little reason to equate food and narcotics. One pro-food addiction researcher recently conceded that “nobody claims that food has [as] strong of an effect” as addictive drugs on the brain.
“While Michael Moss and others who sell books with hysterical themes would like Americans to think there is some grand conspiracy in labs to turn Americans into food junkies, the theory holds little weight,” said CCF Senior Research Analyst J. Justin Wilson. “Activists know the notion of food addiction won’t hold water, but they use it to excuse lapses in personal responsibility. The logical follow on prescriptions include taxes and bans on common food and drinks.”
New studies would suggest the so-called obesity “epidemic” is leveling off. A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that Americans are eating 3.5 percent fewer calories from added sugar today than they were in 2000, and have cut their sugar intake by six teaspoons per day. Similarly, the number of calories from sugar-sweetened beverages has declined. Those are voluntary changes that ordinary people have made on their own without 12 step programs.
“Obesity is a complicated issue that won’t be solved by making those who are overweight out to be powerless victims,” continued Wilson. “Americans have always known the difference between a banana and a banana split.”
http://www.consumerfreedom.com/2013/02/writers-argument-that-americans-are-hooked-on-food-lacks-substance/0 -
I seriously doubt that companies sit around contemplating ways to destroy it's customers by making them obese. They are out to make a profit...plain and simple.
When I read things like the OP, it's just another example of people looking for something to fear. The producers of books and "documentaries" that promote mass hysteria are guilty of playing on the natural tendency of people to find something to worry about.
Sigh.
I agree. Didn't Kessler already write this book?
Not sure who Kessler is.
Micheal Moss was the one that reported the dangers in the handling of meat. He is probably the one responsible for no more medium rare hamburgers!
I am a little surprised that people here are not quicker to blame the food industry for the obesity epidemic. I do not agree that we can blame the food industry for our specific situation. First it would do no good - it's your life and your quality of life. Each person has to find the formula for success in terms of diet and exercise to reach their wight loss goals. But it is harder to pass off the alarming trend upwards in obesity and diabetes, especially in children, to a bunch of individuals making worse decisions than their parents and grandparents. Why are we so quick to dismiss the food industry as having no responsibility here?
One more question - the obesity rates are continuing to rise. Why?0 -
February 26, 2013
Writer’s Argument that Americans are “Hooked on Food” Lacks Substance
Today the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) criticized Michael Moss’ new book, Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us, which argues that food companies are making products that generate heroin-like addiction compulsion behaviors. Moss argues companies are working to “hook” Americans onto food by spending an extensive amount of time developing and testing food and drink products to find those that are well-received and affordable for the average American.
The notion of food addiction is not a new suggestion. Food control zealots have long argued that Americans have become helpless “McVictims.” But food addiction claims like Moss’ are completely bunk. Cambridge University researchers recently re-issued a warning not to regard “food addiction” as the cause of obesity, noting they found “no conclusive evidence” of food withdrawal and little reason to equate food and narcotics. One pro-food addiction researcher recently conceded that “nobody claims that food has [as] strong of an effect” as addictive drugs on the brain.
“While Michael Moss and others who sell books with hysterical themes would like Americans to think there is some grand conspiracy in labs to turn Americans into food junkies, the theory holds little weight,” said CCF Senior Research Analyst J. Justin Wilson. “Activists know the notion of food addiction won’t hold water, but they use it to excuse lapses in personal responsibility. The logical follow on prescriptions include taxes and bans on common food and drinks.”
New studies would suggest the so-called obesity “epidemic” is leveling off. A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that Americans are eating 3.5 percent fewer calories from added sugar today than they were in 2000, and have cut their sugar intake by six teaspoons per day. Similarly, the number of calories from sugar-sweetened beverages has declined. Those are voluntary changes that ordinary people have made on their own without 12 step programs.
“Obesity is a complicated issue that won’t be solved by making those who are overweight out to be powerless victims,” continued Wilson. “Americans have always known the difference between a banana and a banana split.”
http://www.consumerfreedom.com/2013/02/writers-argument-that-americans-are-hooked-on-food-lacks-substance/
^^^THIS^^^0 -
“Obesity is a complicated issue that won’t be solved by making those who are overweight out to be powerless victims,” continued Wilson. “Americans have always known the difference between a banana and a banana split.”
Couldn't agree more. It's all about choices. We each have the power within ourselves to control the calories we take in, and the calories that we burn. Some peeps can eat junk food and still lose weight. Some of us cannot. It is what it is and there is no "one size fits all" prescription to working towards a healthy lifestyle.0 -
Its a good read, it had a fantastic segment on advertisers using pester power from kids by advertising to them. a bit like toy companies.and just how much sugar is even in 'healthy cereals'
If you're addicted to the high/good factor of salt/fat/sugar, will power might not cut it with so much advertisements about. Kinda reminds me of the marks and spencers food porn.0 -
I completely agree- I'm a marketing professor and have studied the persuasive "techniques", the food companies have used. I always argue with my friends who say "We all have free choice, just don't eat the junk food." While I agree, we do have free choice, most of us don't realize what we're up against. Advertisers are now using sociologists, psychologists, and anthropologists to study human behavior so closely that we are not even aware of most of the techniques that are being used to persuade us. In my opinion, with all the salt, sugar, and even texture, these foods can be highly addictive.0
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I'm not. Blaming the dealer is tough.I am a little surprised that people here are not quicker to blame the food industry for the obesity epidemic.
Some fully embrace that they did it to themselves, but then omit the part of the introspection that explores why a certain foodstuff from a certain provider is deemed so delicious, and so hard to avoid. Doing so would invite thoughts of the nature that there are extremely start people working daily to make killer combinations that hook people. Who wants to admit they aren't the smartest person in the room?
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February 26, 2013
Writer’s Argument that Americans are “Hooked on Food” Lacks Substance
Today the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) criticized Michael Moss’ new book, Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us, which argues that food companies are making products that generate heroin-like addiction compulsion behaviors. Moss argues companies are working to “hook” Americans onto food by spending an extensive amount of time developing and testing food and drink products to find those that are well-received and affordable for the average American.
The notion of food addiction is not a new suggestion. Food control zealots have long argued that Americans have become helpless “McVictims.” But food addiction claims like Moss’ are completely bunk. Cambridge University researchers recently re-issued a warning not to regard “food addiction” as the cause of obesity, noting they found “no conclusive evidence” of food withdrawal and little reason to equate food and narcotics. One pro-food addiction researcher recently conceded that “nobody claims that food has [as] strong of an effect” as addictive drugs on the brain.
“While Michael Moss and others who sell books with hysterical themes would like Americans to think there is some grand conspiracy in labs to turn Americans into food junkies, the theory holds little weight,” said CCF Senior Research Analyst J. Justin Wilson. “Activists know the notion of food addiction won’t hold water, but they use it to excuse lapses in personal responsibility. The logical follow on prescriptions include taxes and bans on common food and drinks.”
New studies would suggest the so-called obesity “epidemic” is leveling off. A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that Americans are eating 3.5 percent fewer calories from added sugar today than they were in 2000, and have cut their sugar intake by six teaspoons per day. Similarly, the number of calories from sugar-sweetened beverages has declined. Those are voluntary changes that ordinary people have made on their own without 12 step programs.
“Obesity is a complicated issue that won’t be solved by making those who are overweight out to be powerless victims,” continued Wilson. “Americans have always known the difference between a banana and a banana split.”
http://www.consumerfreedom.com/2013/02/writers-argument-that-americans-are-hooked-on-food-lacks-substance/
This is a tiny organization of 2 people. Richard Berman uses as his proof a quote from Justin Wilson, the only other employee, to prove his point. And characterizing the idea as "bunk" does not exactly sound like a substantive argument.
Everyone has the right to their opinion, including these two and you. This carries very little weight for me.
One thing I can say, the Moss book has a TON of substance and facts, and is pretty convincing about the ways the food industry manipulate the food to make it the most appealing.0 -
not worth it.0
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It's not rocket science. If a person doesn't have the ability to decide what is good for them, then that's their personal problem. It means they have some issue that is not the fault of the "persuasive techniques". That's simply avoiding the REAL issue...whatever it may be.
To say that "most of us don't realize what we're up against" is preposterous! First of all you haven't met "most of us". Secondly, you disrespect people by saying they aren't capable of deciding about life issues for themselves.0 -
I completely agree- I'm a marketing professor and have studied the persuasive "techniques", the food companies have used. I always argue with my friends who say "We all have free choice, just don't eat the junk food." While I agree, we do have free choice, most of us don't realize what we're up against. Advertisers are now using sociologists, psychologists, and anthropologists to study human behavior so closely that we are not even aware of most of the techniques that are being used to persuade us. In my opinion, with all the salt, sugar, and even texture, these foods can be highly addictive.
phdiva12 -
The aspects on the book about the psychology used in advertising the products were particularly interesting.
Congrats on your excellent weight loss success!0 -
But the foods are addictive like any drug and you can not avoid eating as easily as you can avoid using recreational drugs.
You don't need the extra large popcorn and the extra large coke at the theater.
Try bringing your own snacks, or at least stop buying the coke. Even better, eat before you go to the theater.
The less of that crap you eat, the less of it you'll crave.
Are you allowed to bring in your own snacks to the movie theater?
I haven't had popcorn or a coke in at least five months, but I very much enjoy them. There is something in the movie theater butter that just makes it so that I can't stop eating it.
main ingredient is hydrogenated coconut oil - orange nasty stuff. I used to work at the concession stand of a movie theater. 20 years later, and I almost never buy the stuff. Sometimes I'll snake a few pieces from my hubby, but usually we sneak in our own. Cheaper, and way better for you to make your own!0 -
"One thing I can say, the Moss book has a TON of substance and facts, and is pretty convincing about the ways the food industry manipulate the food to make it the most appealing."
Duh....If I'm selling something and I want to make a profit I am CERTAINLY going to make it as appealing as I can. That is a far cry from having the purpose of making America obese!!!0 -
April 17, 2013
A Quick Primer on the Real Story on So-Called “Food Addiction”
The latest tactic by the nation’s food police is to classify foods as “foods of abuse” that are “addictive” and that should be regulated like tobacco cigarettes, alcohol, or even marijuana. Fortunately for gourmands gobbling gouda and commoners chomping on cheeseburgers alike, there is considerable evidence that this slipshod approach to neuroscience is fatally flawed.
The European Food Information Council recently released a synopsis of two Cambridge University efforts to scrutinize the existing data ostensibly supporting the theory, which we have noted before. The researchers’ overwhelming conclusion is that the theory that foods are little more than socially acceptable heroin is full of holes. The more recent Cambridge article is available for free here, if you’re inclined to read the whole thing.
These articles are yet more evidence that people are beginning to question the “war on food” that has characterized the anti-obesity movement over the past decade. We noted a recent article in a policy journal that expressed skepticism that blaming food companies would reduce obesity.
Since that plan, long advocated by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), Kelly “Twinkie tax” Brownell, and Marion Nestle, isn’t panning out, activists who would regulate anything we eat or even do need a new tactic. Many of them think “food addiction” is the key. But while they hope it will “change the legal landscape” to enrich their trial lawyer pals, it hasn’t changed the scientific one.
http://www.consumerfreedom.com/2013/04/a-quick-primer-on-the-real-story-on-so-called-food-addiction/
The more recent article by Cambridge is linked in this article.
*back soon, just saw an ad for the new supercharged Jaguar that I MUST have NOW! I'm addicted to leather car seats.
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"One thing I can say, the Moss book has a TON of substance and facts, and is pretty convincing about the ways the food industry manipulate the food to make it the most appealing."
Duh....If I'm selling something and I want to make a profit I am CERTAINLY going to make it as appealing as I can. That is a far cry from having the purpose of making America obese!!!
Suggest you read the book olDave.
On Amazon, 88% give it a 4+ out of 5.
Some of the top comments are ...
“ Anyone who wants to know what you're eating and what's really in there should read this book. ”
“ The depth of research is excellent and the technical data is presented in a very readable style which makes the book a pleasure to read. ”
“ And you're gonna learn about some pretty deceptive practices to make moms/parents feel good about the mostly sugar water that gets targeted to kids. ”
I think you and others would have a different opinion if you read the book you are so quick to dismiss.0 -
The only way you could do stop the current system would be to give control of food production to the government. The government would have to dictate acceptable and unacceptable ingredients and the ratios in which ingredients could be used. The the government would have to inspect all food production for compliance.
Doesn't sound like a good deal to me.
Why is this the only way?
Right now companies like General Mills, Kellogg, Pillsbury and many others enjoy a wholesome reputation. They are the ones that are behind (or at least contributing to) the obesity epidemic. How would they respond if this book got enough publicity to get people stirred up? They do not want regulation. If someone turns on the light I'm sure it will have a positive impact.
Yes, I guess I was referring to the only way to just make it happen.
I don't know about the book...but education and societal change are what are needed. We will always get from the market what we demand of it.
If we want better, we have to demand better, in big numbers of people.0 -
http://www.consumerfreedom.com/2013/04/a-quick-primer-on-the-real-story-on-so-called-food-addiction/
The more recent article by Cambridge is linked in this article.
*back soon, just saw an ad for the new supercharged Jaguar that I MUST have NOW! I'm addicted to leather car seats.
For the record, I have never advocated government regulation on food. Just better understanding of what the food industry is doing to our food.
You appear to be lucky to have never head a weight problem. You may have a different perspective than someone like me that has struggled with weight loss.
Hope you enjoy the Jag! At 97 you deserve it!0
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