In the past few years, talk of healthy food has become a fad. Food debate is almost always controversial in the least but, as discourses rage on, we seek food advice from only from those who are reputable and eminent. But why? Isn't a farmer's critique of unhealthy food just as legitimate than that of a doctor's? Is it magazines and publicity that make us believe the nutritionists who promote healthy foods? Through mainstream media, we are taught to think that the elite way, is the right way. The voices of doctors, physicians, surgeons, and other people in the medical field don't immediately urge us to doubt their knowledge but instead, believe in the words they speak. These voices maintain their position in mainstream media because they are part of the dominant discourse. This dominant discourse, a discussion that goes on through multiple people, is constructed by parameters sustained by knowledge and ethics. Boundaries are set where there are limitations and restrictions to the language used, to who can speak, and ultimately who be involved in the discourse. The boundaries are controlled by abundant ideologies that serve purposefully at the expense of the elite: people who are on television, are famous, and are simply known for their respected insights and prestigious jobs.
One contemporary dominant discourse regarding the foodways of the U.S. is that the consumption of healthier foods is beneficial. Fresh and organic food overrules greasy fast food any day. As highly as healthy foods may be promoted and advertised, health initiatives have failed ultimately because of the high cost of organic foods compared to convenient fast food. In Kim Severson's article, Told to Eat Its Vegetables, America Orders Fries, she evaluates America's government and food companies efforts to promote health: "Despite two decade of public health initiatives, stricter government dietary guidelines, record growth of farmers' markets and the ease of products like salad in a bag, Americans still aren't eating enough vegetables". Through Severson's evaluation, we can see that change is not easy. Reform will not happen overnight. People who are concerned about food have hopes of reform but realize the steps to the solution to their problems is easier said than done.
People who seek convenience and low cost are less likely to make an effort to eat healthier simply because they have no time. Even doctors who have spent most of their life studying some factors of health, do not put a huge emphasis on their efforts to eat healthier. Melissa MacBride, who pursues a career in a pharmaceuticals company, expresses the pains she must experience to acquire healthy foods: "An apple you can just grab. But what am I going to do, put a piece of kale in my purse?" I spotted MacBrides immediate inclination towards making efforts to eat healthier but, should we trust her word? I wasn't surprised to find that she worked in the medical field as did the majority of the people cited and interviewed in Told to Eat Its Vegetables, America Orders Fries. These pediatricians and doctors were interviewed because of their extent of knowledge compared to someone who didn't have a degree declaring the legitimacy of their knowledge. Their publicity in articles improve their reputation as an intellectual, worthy of being listened to. Harry Balzer, the chief industry analyst for the NPD group, said "The moment you have something fresh you have to schedule your life around using it." In order to succeed in adapting to a culture of healthy foods and run easily along the path of the dominant discourse of food in the U.S., one must make an effort to change their practices and become more patient.
Bianca C
A1
^I thought this was funny and ironic because they are promoting health through fast food.
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