Having a healthy and balanced diet is an important part of living a robust life. However, the definition of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ food is constantly changing. And it’s not just because the technology we use to measure the healthiness of food has gotten better. Different facets of the food industries constantly seek to promote their products while rebuking foods that don’t fit their agenda. And the influence of the food industry does not end with biased research; it goes all the way to the top of the government and law itself.
To find out more, watch the video below:
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “powerful board” mean? “I hate to, like, rag on avocado, but they have a powerful board, and they fund an incredible amount of research.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
- What does “blanketed nutrition space” mean? “And big food has blanketed nutrition space with so much money, it’s created a bunch of fun secondary problems.” Use this expression in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
- What does “amuse-bouche” mean? “The industry-funded studies, the conflict of interest that’s all kind of amuse-bouche for where the industry’s real influence lies.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
Discussion Questions:
- What do you think of funded nutrition studies that encourage specific dietary guidelines?
- Do you think nutrition advice coming from nutrition research funded by big companies is reliable? Explain your stance.
- Do you think food nutrition manipulation has shaped our dietary guidelines? How does it affect our health?
- Are you also confused by all the nutrition advice you’ve heard over time? Give instances where this occurs.
- How do dietary recommendations influence the foods you eat?