Two recent unrelated stories got me thinking. They both illustrate in a strange way the contradictions of our current food culture. Firstly, Kat Rosenfield wrote about Ozempic and weight loss for Unherd. Then the New York Times reported the tragic death of a woman after an allergic reaction at a Disney restaurant
I do think surgical/medical interventions are somewhat cheating but not in the sense of "you should struggle" but that (general) you may be treating a symptom rather than the problem itself.
I'm coming at it from "in recovery" of a longtime eating disorder, though. The question of morality is definitely a big one especially in those circles.
I'm not sure which my most extreme restrictive diet was; chicken and eggs only or raw vegan?
Ah, the seining pendulum. I grew up with a mom who in addition to making us baby food (instead of buying store bought) would later in toodlerhood give us carob cookies instead of chocolate.
She was described as a “health-nut,” back then.
In 2024 I’m kind of surprised that carob isn’t being touted as a “super food.” Whatever that means.
I am truly shocked by that photo and article about Maria Carey. I just absolutely cannot imagine a time where someone believed her thighs to be fat.
I wonder if it's possible to go back and find all the journalists who wrote spiteful articles like that one and encourage them to make an apology. I have to imagine that they would now be ashamed.
Honestly was quite surprised to read that it was the late Ms. Tangsuan who was allergic to peanuts.
As you wrote, Southeast Asians may see food allergy as a white people or rich people problems - a sign of weakness. Religious requirements, on the other hand, are everything.
Finally, yeah, anyone here would say that rojak is vegetarian. The logic is no one gets full from eating sauce, and no religion forbids shrimp.
I completely disagree with Kat Rosenfeld about Ozempic being a form of cheating.
It's a medication like any other. Is it cheating when I take an Aleve for my tension headaches? I could meditate, take a bath, look into candles, pray... but why do that when I can just pop an Aleve and get on with life?
I don't take Ozempic for one reason, well, two: it's for the obese and I only want to lose a few pounds, and I fear side effects.
If I could be assured of zero side effects I'd ask for a script, for a temporary period.
After losing two precious days of a trip to recover from an exposure to a food allergen, I do wish people would not pretend they had allergies.
I do think surgical/medical interventions are somewhat cheating but not in the sense of "you should struggle" but that (general) you may be treating a symptom rather than the problem itself.
I'm coming at it from "in recovery" of a longtime eating disorder, though. The question of morality is definitely a big one especially in those circles.
I'm not sure which my most extreme restrictive diet was; chicken and eggs only or raw vegan?
As usual, Katrina, you've summed up my feelings about diet and food culture to a tee. How do you deal with the taboo on discussing weight control?
I've noticed that I bridle at women who shut it down AND those who talk about it despairingly. It seems like nobody can get it right for me!
I can't remember if you listen to Smoke Em, but Sarah Hepola and Chaya Leah has a discussion about dieting that made me love them both even more.
Ah, the seining pendulum. I grew up with a mom who in addition to making us baby food (instead of buying store bought) would later in toodlerhood give us carob cookies instead of chocolate.
She was described as a “health-nut,” back then.
In 2024 I’m kind of surprised that carob isn’t being touted as a “super food.” Whatever that means.
I am truly shocked by that photo and article about Maria Carey. I just absolutely cannot imagine a time where someone believed her thighs to be fat.
I wonder if it's possible to go back and find all the journalists who wrote spiteful articles like that one and encourage them to make an apology. I have to imagine that they would now be ashamed.
Honestly was quite surprised to read that it was the late Ms. Tangsuan who was allergic to peanuts.
As you wrote, Southeast Asians may see food allergy as a white people or rich people problems - a sign of weakness. Religious requirements, on the other hand, are everything.
Finally, yeah, anyone here would say that rojak is vegetarian. The logic is no one gets full from eating sauce, and no religion forbids shrimp.
I completely disagree with Kat Rosenfeld about Ozempic being a form of cheating.
It's a medication like any other. Is it cheating when I take an Aleve for my tension headaches? I could meditate, take a bath, look into candles, pray... but why do that when I can just pop an Aleve and get on with life?
I don't take Ozempic for one reason, well, two: it's for the obese and I only want to lose a few pounds, and I fear side effects.
If I could be assured of zero side effects I'd ask for a script, for a temporary period.